representtrust me and it paradisethe beach be a kinda of movie the feel of which surround you slowly and completely . i would say danny boyle have do complete justification to the book . the movie capture the essence of the book . i watch the movie first and then read the book . the beach can be well experience thru the movie . the music ( by angelo badalamenti ) be excellent and but unfortunately not popular ( which be why i believe popular be not always the best while ) ) . dicaprio prove how versatile and powerful he be a an actor . a must watch for dicaprio fan . purchase an original dvd and you will get to see alternate beginning and alternate climax of the movie with director comment . you will like this movie especially if you be a crazy traveler and like to explore unseen and untouched place . direction and location and music and dicaprio be the strength of the movie . the beach be not just a movie and it an experience . representnever refuse an invitation and never resist the unfamiliar . just keep your mind open and suck in the experience .