A classic has been butchered.

Rating: Null/10 (23 March 2002)

Why, oh why Alex? How did you let this happen to your novel? A nove that has entertained a generation?
Alex, your loyal readers have so many questions. Here's a few:
Why was Richard an American? Why on earth did he get together with Francois? Where was Keaty? and WHAT ON EARTH was going on with Sal?
These characters, that became part of us whilst we read, were nothing more than cardboard cutouts.
Leonardo di Caprio, who has been fantastic in a number of films (esp. What's eating Gilbert Grape?), was nothing more than an annoying tourist - exactly the reason they live at the beach in the first place!
Danny Boyle's 'Beach' truly is a waste of time.
Apart from the location (mostly Koh Phi Phi, Thailand), the initial scenes in Bangkok, and portions of the soundtrack, the film has lost all that made it a classic novel. Use it as a perfect example of where Hollywood can interfere and destroy some amazing material.
Avoid.