the beach

Rating: 4/10 (27 February 2000)

About this time last year I was given the novel "The Beach", by a close friend of mine, who told me it was a fantastic story. Personally, I didn't fancy it, but I did fancy the close friend, and decided to read it to please her. Well I have to say the book really was terrific, I read it in about two days and loved every minute of. Anyway I heard that Danny Boyle was making the film, and being a big fan of Shallow Grave and Trainspotting, I thought this is going to film of the year. Man was I wrong! First and fore most there was NO way Leo could have played "Richard" (he was English in the book),Secondly Francoise never looked twice at Richard in the book (but ten minutes into the film she's tearing wee Leo's shirt of) and the ending was pants (The ending in the book is superb).
Personally I feel that the story has been cut to ribbons, and had a top celeb (Leo) stuck in it to attract lots of money. Leo does his best, but sorry mate, you just shouldn't have been in it. Don't go and see the film if you have read the book, you'll be banging your head all night.