the beach.

i think i first watched this movie when i was about 12, for the sole reason that my sister was a ridiculous leo fan (i was more of a will smith lady at that point, though this has not really changed). the only thing i remember liking was the music, i didn't really get the story, other than the fact that leo was a bit of alright.

anyway, i recently picked up the novel at my library and gave it a shot, and watched the movie not long after i finished it. it made me so angry that a book can be shat all over to such an extent as this one.

the story follows a young british backpacker, richard, as he, like so many of us, searches for new and genuine experiences whilst travelling. as a result, he ends up living as part of a small self sufficient community on an isolated tropical island in thailand. though the majority of the narrative is consumed with richard's daily chores and experiences, it is still an absorbing story. the encapsulating and more shocking parts of the story don't occur until quite far towards the end, but by this point i was already hooked.

garland builds a wonderfully potent description of the island; of the atmosphere, the relationships, the location. its inhabitants have come to lead such a secluded existence, and the reader is invited into this notion so tactfully, that it is only very occasionally that one remembers that the island is still a part of this world, and not a stand alone fantasy. richard's unusual eccentricity and playfulness also helps to build this invisible 'bridge' between the two perspectives.

the gradual culmination of desperation to maintain the islands isolation leads to a violent and bloody finale, where the reader is snapped out of their trance.

the story was somewhat 'orwellian' in its political message; to me, anyway. that a collection of such a multi-cultural and left wing individuals could commit such violence and betrayal, all in the name of maintaining a way of life, whilst still believing that their actions are justified, just because they are carried out in the name of community.

the film, on the other hand, skips ignorantly through the islanders chores, skims carelessly over vital relationships, opting to doodle lazy crayola new relationships instead and ignore's richard's integral playful disposition. the result; the viewer sits happily through some beautiful cinematography for an hour, before being plunged into a sudden and confusing state of panic as the nature of the island switches with no good reason.

makes me want to be a director. grrr.