"And me, I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it's not some place you can look for, 'cause it's not where you go. It's how you feel for a moment in your life when you're a part of something, and if you find that moment... it lasts forever... "
- Richard
The Beach
2000
Are our greatest expectations our greatest let downs? We take journeys to reveal our speculations about what is beyond our front door. Yet, when we set ourselves up for courageous acts of traveling, have we become culturally prepared for an alter reality?
Leo brought us the character of Richard in "The Beach", in 2000. It was one of those films I saw after I read the book. I'm still trying to prove myself wrong that reading books before movies is a bad idea; but, I was glad I went in that order this time. "The Beach", on its surface, held the key to this mysterious map that Richard uncovers in his hotel in Bangkok. With curiosity and no itinerary; Richard sets out to discover the paradise embedded within the map; and discovers he is in for more than the deceiving eye can protrude.
What lies beneath the message of the map, is a paradise full of secrets and intrigue. However, when the message is shared; when the beach is revealed; the world becomes less than a paradise, it becomes based on survival.
Richard finds lust and admiration in Françoise, a french woman, but, all changes for him after his trip for supplies with Sal. Sal is the leader of this altered paradise; she was played by Tilda Swinton; and in the end forced to make a choice of life or death for Richard.
"When you develop an infatuation for someone you always find a reason to believe that this is exactly the person for you. It doesn't need to be a good reason. Taking photographs of the night sky, for example. Now, in the long run, that's just the kind of dumb, irritating habit that would cause you to split up. But in the haze of infatuation, it's just what you've been searching for all these years." - Richard
The Beach may exist in fantasy terms, or in opportunity terms, when each of us is pushed with the test of temptation. I often think about why water, tropics, paradise and lust seem to revolve around a theme based on finding oneself and saving another. Fitting to say the least.
Yet, so true to say, that paradise is happiness, and happiness is sometimes, just a trip away.
Between the seduction, the race, the edge of your seat traction of following Richard along his path toward The Beach; drugs, secrets and true story behind the paradise reversal are all key elements to survival.
Each trip one takes; whether by plane, boat, foot, or car; we must realize what it is we want out of the experience in order to set the expectation for others to join. Those who dare to dream, are those to dream to be dared, and those who want to just relax, are given paradise in a different caliber. The setting sets the environment and the environment is often set by the elements.
The Beach had many hidden ideologies and themes surrounding this outer conceptual shell. Adventure, curiosity, intrigue, temptation, lust, infatuation, and survival. As one heads home from their journey, one sets off towards their destination. We can mirror that concept in life; jobs, marriages, relationships, and children.
I've never been one to judge a book by its cover, but, in this case aren't we all assuming our vacation destination is picture perfect?
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Comments
rated. great post.
Thanks for your comment. Awesome insight taken away from the post.
R
that's my brain dead part.
My sisters, high school pals,
Uncles, cousins, new Friend,
farm moo cow parlor peers,
Veterinarian helper ref teat,
the sore swollen goat breast.
huh?
People ask me? Where Ya be?
I be in La La land stage `loon?
Moon? The last film was`Ups.
It was viewed with a 5-yr. old.
The world stage is a big belch?
It's one burping show contest?
Yea! You help brain dead cell!
Thanks. We all must listen up!
I gotta get to milk goat parlor!
raw fresh latte. sweet tea cup!
hicks do burps and hick a cup!
sing a,b,c, backwards to burp!
silly.
Thanks for the post. apology?
I'll go to Burger King for sushi.
Sushi and ginger is good lunch.
I was asked to bring cracked egg.
no b- fast. I blame `Open Salon.
Folk at the farm hate OS. forgive.
I'll cover and say OSer's are coots.
This excellent post did what reading is supposed to; started the gears turning. Just one addition, and I have not seen the film in years, but for me, the only bad part is you get so close to your friends when you're young, late teens/early twenties, and, then, when you live like that, you never, ever see most of them ever again. Sometimes that feels sad, even now. I remember the film ending something like that too, alone again while forever changed.
Not one of the ones I miss is on facebook. I checked. A total of one indexed by Google. That says a lot about why it starts in the first place ... a race of men who don't fit in, a race who can't sit still ... who break the hearts of kith and kin ... who roam the world at will ... (r. service.)
Aloha
Great post, rated.
still, rated. yawn.
ArtJames.. wow! that was nicely done!!! Well put!
Oahusurfer.. Damn! I totally agree. Its like we maintain a group of friends for survival, experience, and desire; yet, in all actuality... are they really life long friends? Not really! Great great great observation. Can I rate your comment?
scanner.. couldn't agree more; sometimes the hunt for paradise isn't too far away.
Thoth...totally.. mixed critiques from across the board.
Ollie's daughter... Thanks my friend! Thanks,