escapism at its best

Rating: Null/10 (15 April 2001)

This production was very impressive visually, wonderful camera work, amazing location, etc. Some people have commented on the wooden, one dimensional, or over acted performances of DiCaprio et al. and I have to agree that Di Caprio's performance was average or below average. For example before they jump off the waterfall, and whenever he confronted other characters he seemed to explode and damage his undoubted talent) However, in saying that, the three main British actors (Carlyle, Swindon, Patterson Joseph) give superb, controlled, stylish and believable displays. All the visual beauty of the movie I found overrides acting flaws and the sometimes annoyingly unbalanced journey of Richard and his buddies. As a 23 year old I did relate a lot to the pleasure, sun and sea seeking ambitions of the characters I must admit. Come on, who wouldn't? Even if I was 40, I'd still love to go off to Thailand and find a magical island` paradise.
Even though there lurks dangers everywhere (gun toting Thai's, sharks, isolation perhaps, food problems), to me that's still much more preferable to living in the digital and sterile world we in the West all live in. A lot of the people who criticise this film I suspect are boring suburbanites who work hard but are miserable and hate seeing a film that shows young people actually enjoying themselves/living out a common human dream in a tropical paradise.......the type of people who have never lived life or never travelled. Well, if you want the tedious 9-5 lifestyle you can truly have it but I'll pass........at least for another few years. Now, where's my backpack??