Poor scripting is insignificant as Brill Boyle sets up another wonder

Rating: 7/10 (11 August 2009)

Richard (Di Caprio) stumbles across a map that gives the location to an island that contains all the elements for a peaceful existence.
Almost 10 years ago, Danny Boyle controversially left behind his Trainspotting and A Life less Ordinary star Ewan McGregor and was replaced by one of America's biggest stars for the leading role in the adaptation of Alex Garland's novel.
With Di Caprio still a heart throb after his roles in Titanic and Romeo and Juliet this was arguably the change in his career as he progressed into cinema's more dramatic genre. His articulate soft spoken style works wonders and whilst this is by no means his best ever performance, he is the necessity element that holds the script together.
As the film gets under way with the actor's narration explaining the formality of everyday holidays and the problems with the system Danny Boyle uses an element he lives for, the setting.
From 28 days later to Slumdog Millionaire the Bury born director simply knows how to set the scene in a way that is perfectly in line with the situation on screen. This beginning is perfectly realistic of a person in a foreign land adjusting to the scene as Di Caprio flits around the buyers and sellers in the market. But when the film finally reaches the beach does Boyle's presence really become profound.
It may sound cheesy but the setting sweeping notion feels as if you are right there on that island as Boyle swoops around the dreaming paradise. The helicopter shots and the bird eye view snaps generate a unique essence of the freedom and imagination of the supposed concept of independent holiday as Di Caprio and his friends end up in the midst of a hidden tribe.
The idea alone is brilliant. To escape and not have rules and regulations seems too sceptical for the everyday person like Di Caprio's Richard but after a run in with the marvellous Robert Carlyle the clues are dropped and the journey to the island itself is brilliant with some stunning shots in the water.
As the film progresses there are numerous factors that generate the essence of drama juxtaposed with fantasy. Richard's secret hinders with some questionable dialogue but the power of the performance neglects the scripting. There is an inclusion of romantic lust that is fairly predictable but the outcome certainly isn't.
There are other problems with this picture. For example the scripting is insignificant. Nothing is spoken unless it is a cue for drama to be created or for the plot to move forward. The bizarre game styled fantasy of Richard's is too out of place for the context of the moment.
The ending is a let down because of the way the conclusion was assumed. Nevertheless Boyle's filming and accurate talent at depicting the setting with the situation is the main reason to check this out.