After seeing THE BEACH one can appreciate why it is so vital that a celebrated name is associated with a movie. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm-king-of-the-sinking-ship played the lead role, I wonder if anyone would've even considered spending money on this production. Not that it is a bad movie, but you'll have to ask yourself if you are going to see this movie because Leonardo DiCarpio is starring in it, or because the trailer appealed to you and the story seemed fascinating.

And yet, the presentation of the story is the basic problem with this movie. Apart from great cinematography, a very suitable soundtrack and more than average acting, the only criticism can be on the plot.

In short, Richard (Leonardo DiCarpio), a young lad doing some travels through which he hopes to connect with something more than just the Internet, learns about this fantastic beach hidden away from civilization on an island. He sets off to the island with a French couple whom are total strangers to him. Upon arrival they discover a group of people who have organized themselves in a small community and they soon blend in.

Everything is just picture perfect on this island, or rather the beach. Everyone does as he pleases which fairly amounts to one big holiday. But as with many an idealistic dream, the realistic side of it will evenly want to surface -- and the question then is how strong is the dream. Will the community survive against the onslaught of outside factors? And can man just stumble into nature and develop it to a paradise of his liking?

The whole notion of what can befall men when they are isolated in their own little paradise runs parallel to the theme of that in "The Lord of the Flies". Even though director Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting", "Shallow Grave") stated that he wanted to film THE BEACH in a manner distinguishable from "The Lord of the Flies", you're still left with the feeling at the end that you've heard this message before somewhere. This theme is exposed in THE BEACH when the leader of the community is challenged to what extreme she will go to preserve the unity of their community, and when Richard goes completely bonkers while searching for a greater something .

Unfortunately, what could ve been a very strong message to the viewer is somehow absorbed and lost in a perforated screenplay: full of holes. It feels that one is left with more questions than answers, and not necessarily on the larger issues of the movie, but rather the smaller ones.

On the bright side, the movie is shot in beautiful surroundings and this is enhanced by stunning photography. If anything is worthy of praise in this movie, it must go to the film crew and production team who delivered something above standard. The general feel to the movie is something of a nirvana experience crossed with the dark side of the human desires in finding that deeper meaning in life.

-- Jean-Pierre Pellissier