Painfully underrated; an entertaining, engrossing movie

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2012)

I see many negative reviews for "The Beach" and I really struggle to identify a justification for such an underrating.
When I watched this film for the first time, I considered it to be an entertaining and original movie that, although retained a sense of solidity throughout, never truly shone; what puzzled me was the fact that I was glued to the screen throughout.
However, upon my second viewing, I realised that this film carries a subtle depth that contributes strongly to its engrossing manner. Aside the strong acting and great script, a deep focus on characterisation ensures that the movie's protagonist and the changes he undergoes are incredibly engaging; in accordance with the fact that DiCaprio takes this lead, we are left with a character study as much as a movie. Furthermore, without giving anything away, the various parallels and paradoxes, both positive and negative, as well as the sense of underlying realism, ensure that, as a viewer, you feel compelled to truly take an interest in the "The Beach".
Despite the strength of this film, what prevents it from being a true masterpiece is the fact that the pacing and atmospheric focus of "The Beach" is slightly too inconsistent and it can make the experience an overly peculiar one at times.
Overall, it is difficult to explain why "The Beach" is such a compelling, intelligent and engrossing movie (especially without adding spoilers), however you just have to give it a go. It is a movie that can be watched multiple times and has a subtle depth to it that many viewers will not spot during the first viewing; I highly recommend you experience "The Beach".