MovieChat Forums > The Beach (2000) Discussion > this movie just doesn't work

this movie just doesn't work

posted 11 years ago by crakatoot
29 replies | jump to latest

seems like a cool idea, and Dicaprio has been good In a lot of movies, but this is just a mess.
His character is just annoying, which could have worked in a way but I think the movie was trying to make him likable. The story doesn't really go anywhere, the philopshy is phoned In. The end is lackluster. And the weird visuals( which worked in Trainspotting) here they just seem, well silly. Lot of potential, anyone who has ever traveled to real for away places, you know the desire to just disappear. It could have been a good movie, but it was ....stupid. i told you not to stop the boat. Now lets go. Apocaylpse Now

[–] chas437 11 years ago

Yeah, I think this was meant to be another star vehicle for DiCaprio back in the day. But he should look back on this as an embarrassment.

His character is just laughable. The film is laughable. I get the anti-utopian theme, but this collection characters are the most asinine imaginable. Living among them would be the opposite of paradise.

"For dark is the suede that mows like a harvest"

[–] galluslass 10 years ago

Yip, that's about it really in a nut shell.

[–] TriumphReq 10 years ago

It was a good movie, better than the book. Yes most the characters sucked but it created that amazing romance between the two (that the book fails on) just as if it could have happened. That's one of the main reasons people travel, romance to fall in love and feel like you did when you were 18 again. Not sure what your problems are.

[–] chas437 10 years ago

OK, here's a problem, the DiCaprio character, whom were meant to sympathize with, gave a copy of the map to some kids. This violated a sworn oath and led to the murder of the kids and the expulsion of the hippies from their paradise.

So, our hero caused all the problems because he wanted to show off to some stoned kids. See why that's a problem?

I'll take Punctuality

[–] Errington_92 10 years ago

Some have criticised DiCaprio's character for his foolishness. However, he learnt from his foolishness. DiCaprio's character started out as self-serving and wanting an easy life. Yet the paradise he sought was not without its flaws, hence he eventually understood the realities of life. There was more meaningful characterisation than some take credit for.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

[–] JahWoo 9 years ago

He wasn't sure there was a beach when he shared the map and until later had no idea sharing it would put them in dsnger

[–] marfrie56 9 years ago

Richard did NOT violate any oath. Maybe Daffy violated the oath, but not Richard. For all Richard knew, the Beach was an urban legend. He was under no obligation to protect the secret that Daffy blurted out in a stoned-out, pre-suicidal stupor. In fact he was being rational - just trying to leave a trace of himself so he could be found again just in case.
I don't see this as a reason that "this movie just doesn't work".
There may be other reasons, but not this one.
As a matter of fact, even if he DID betray the sworn oath (which he did not) but even if he did, why would that make the movie not work?
And by the way, I loved the movie overall. Worked just fine for me.
I hated the video game scenes AND the fact that they trashed the island when they made the movie - other than that a solid 9* from me.
Not that it didn't have problems, but it's a movie to enjoy or not. It's not a child with ADD and problems to solve. The minor problems with The Beach can be overlooked, and I have.

[–] McQueen1980 8 years ago

spot on comment marfrie56, richard violated nothing as he hadnt joined the island group yet did he??
the only thing was he did lie about showing the map AFTER joining the group,the tilda swinton character eventually got it out of him

[–] Zuider_Zee 11 years ago

Life among ass holes; what could go wrong?

[–] venturaa 11 years ago

Maybe he just wanted to go to Thailand.

Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?

[–] montrossboc-1 10 years ago

I found it to be an interesting concept, and worth a watch.

I hadn't seen it in quite a few years, so I just watched it again today, and my opinion remains the same.

Short Cut, Draw Blood

[–] montrossboc-1 10 years ago

Sorry. I double posted

[–] beril_kin 10 years ago

yeah ı quite agree with you, ı was wondering who feel the same way with me while browsing around on imdb finally ı found some.
It really didn't worked for me too, ı mean how can ı explain, the beach, the reason they stay there or so long etc. doesnt make any sense. The underlying reasons are so weak. They could have come up with different and more strong facts but no this it nott

[–] TriumphReq 10 years ago

Works fine with me. Best movie from D Boyle IMHO

Need more movies like this.

[–] loepark 10 years ago

The entire film unfortunately feels like a misjudgment.

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