Enjoyable but oh my god

Rating: 3/10 (30 January 2020)

Okay so I just rewatched this film. When knowing what to expect and having traveled Thailand, it's nostalgic and actually quite enjoyable. Apart from that: oh my god where to even begin.
The story is missing depth, a plot and don't even get me started on the manuscript.
So, Leo and his two newfound friends decide to go through serious lengths, even risking their lives, for NO REASON AT ALL? I can't help but feel I'm missing something here. Sure, a guy tells them about a paradise beach which doesn't sound too bad but I mean? What exactly were they expecting to find there? Where does this insanely strong dedication spire from?? What about this place, which they know nothing about, do they feel is worth giving up everything for? After all they leave without any food, no apparent way back and sign up for a lifetime with some hippie sect without thinking twice. The producers must've left out a serious part of the story here because it doesn't add up.
A few scenes later some random backpackers decide to share the legend about the beach. "The whitest sand you've every seen" (what's even a "legend" about that??) okay yes it sounds all good, but spending days and nights, swimming across the ocean for it? Nah mate, I think I'd do with another one of Thailand's 100000 beaches. With white sand, duh.
Anyway they get there and maybe just maybe it's finally time for the plot to kick off. It may seem like we're getting a love triangle between Leo, Francoise and Etienne. But nah, Francoise is equally much in love and Etienne just wants her to be happy. What a nice guy.
Anyway, the tribe starts showing ugly sides by valuing their secret even over the death of a friend. Hmm okay, so will this turn out to a sectarian psychological thriller? But nah, next thing we know Leo's left the tribe and that's not the case.
Next option, Leo goes out in the woods and we watch him slowly lose his mind. Okay so perhaps we are getting a psychological thriller after all. Will we watch Leo slowly go crazy? Will he turn on the tribe? Actually lose his mind and be forever lost in the woods? Nah, a few minutes later he's fine again and realized perhaps it's time to leave this place.
At last, the tribe is driven away by the Thais farming the island. Moral sense of story? Paradise exists in your heart? Everything is not what it seems? People will do weird crap for what matters the most? I don't know. I really don't. Perhaps I would've if the manuscript would've explained the character's unreasonable devotion, but for now I'm left wondering.
Either way, the scenes are beautiful and it's quite an enjoyable film.