Review: 'The Beach' is a washout

By Reviewer Paul Clinton

February 11, 2000
Web posted at: 9:41 a.m. EST (1441 GMT)

(CNN) Leonardo DiCaprio's main fan base of screaming adolescent girls won't be disappointed with "The Beach." The majority of the film displays the titanic-size young heartthrob sans his shirt in this story about the pseudo-angst and alienation of a young man from the United States escaping civilization and his computer-obsessed generation.

Looking suddenly grown-up and sporting stubble on his world-famous chin, DiCaprio delivers a steady and believable performance in this exceedingly uneven coming-of-age film. "The Beach" is directed by Danny Boyle, produced by Andrew MacDonald and written by John Hodge -- the same team of British filmmakers who brought us the acclaimed films "Shallow Grave" in 1994 and "Trainspotting" in 1996.

Adapted from Alex Garland's 1997 bestselling book of the same title, "The Beach" is visually stunning, but an uninspired narrative makes the film barely limp along, plot-wise.

DiCaprio stars as Richard, an adventurist backpacker who's traveling through Thailand when he meets a mysterious stranger. The aptly named Daffy is played in manic, bug-eyed style by Robert Carlyle ("Trainspotting" and "The Full Monty," 1997). Daffy regales Richard with tales of an island paradise unknown to much of civilization and featuring an untouched beach of indescribable beauty. The next morning Richard finds a map to the island nailed to his hotel door. Then he discovers that Daffy has committed suicide in a room down the hall.

His curiosity in overdrive, Richard persuades a couple of French tourists to accompany him on his bold adventure to find the beach. The tourists are the exotically beautiful Francoise, played by French film star Virginie Ledoyen and her boyfriend, Etienne, played by another French star of film and TV, Guillaume Canet.

Once on the island, the threesome finds a community of international wanderers led by a woman named Sal, played with her usual authority by Tilda Swinton -- perhaps best known for her performance in the title role of the film "Orlando" in 1992.

At this point, the film's plot resembles a bland mixture of "Baywatch" and the now-canceled soap opera, "Sunset Beach." With the exception of Sal and a couple of other minor characters, everyone living in this paradise is reduced to cinematic wallpaper. Interesting dynamics could have been developed between the newcomers and the established members of this odd little group of travelers. But the audience is left only with Richard and his friends frolicking around and adjusting to their new living conditions.

About midway into the story line, the film abruptly changes tone and style when trouble appears in paradise. Interlopers threaten to invade the island dwellers' secret community; a shark makes an attack in the shallow waters just off the beach; and a gang of ganja-growing thuds begins making unwanted advances.

"The Beach" now becomes a strange homage to Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" (1979), with vivid flashbacks of Daffy and jungle scenes and interactive computer images accompanied by a pounding soundtrack. Ultimately, in an ending at least as old as "The Wizard of Oz," everyone discovers that there's no place like home and that happiness can be found in your own backyard.

"Titanic" floated DiCaprio as an international "movie star." But the 25-year-old is a seasoned performer who knew his craft even as a teen when he immersed himself in his roles in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and "This Boy's Life," both in 1993.

Here in his first film since going down with the big ship, DiCaprio's acting chops are intact. But his character Richard gives him little to work with in "The Beach." And the chemistry between DiCaprio and the lovely Ledoyen is underwhelming.

Bottomline: "The Beach" is beautiful, everyone has a lovely tan. But it's nothing to write home about.

"The Beach" opens nationwide Friday and is rated R, with a running time of 120 minutes.

Environmentalists: Filming of 'The Beach' ruined once-pristine Thai area
February 10, 2000
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January 18, 2000
DiCaprio departure: Changing planes in a hurry
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'The Beach' official site

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