It's... different.

Rating: 7/10 (20 June 2013)

I watched "The Beach" shortly after it came out in 2000 and it left me kind of perplexed, although I was fairly entertained and the story kept my interest.
The story involves an American youth, Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio), traveling in Thailand who learns of a paradisical beach hidden on an island off the coast many miles away. He ends up hooking up with a French couple and they travel to the island together.
The reason "The Beach" leaves people a little puzzled is because it's so many thing. It's an adventure, a drama, a romantic triangle and an art house film with existential commentary. But somehow it all comes together and works as a whole, sort of.
The beach community is somewhat of a modern hippie commune. Even the most equalitarian communities have a leader or leaders. In this case it's Sal (Tilda Swinton). Richard realizes he'll have to maintain her favor in order to remain in the paradise, even if her subtle demands are disrespectful and ultimately authoritarian. Since The Beach community is a paradise, anything that takes away from their sense of bliss must be removed. As they say, out of sight out of mind.
Shot in Thailand, the film runs 2 hours.
FINAL WORD: "The Beach" is an unusual film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. There's really nothing else like it. And it's worthy of repeat viewings.
GRADE: B+