The Beach
2000
Leonardo DiCaprio
This is one of the few films from the list that I do not highly recommend for a Christian
audience -as there are sexual scenes and other sinful elements. I do however consider the
topic of hedonism very important to be discussed among young people. The film can be used
as an outreach to unbelievers. Many young people today have a hedonistic mentality and
need to see the fallacy of such pursuits. They need to be visually confronted with the lie of
selfishness and the pursuit of your own happiness in life.
Story Line: Richard is a young American in Thailand in search of paradise. He hears of a
rumour where such a place exists, and sets out with a French couple to find it. They find the
remote island and the community of pleasure seekers and think they have found what they
have been looking for. Everyone is happy and is able to do whatever they want. Sex and
drugs are freely used for pure enjoyment. Could this really be paradise?
Message: Immorality and selfishness will never produce paradise. The subjective happiness
of the group and/or the individual as the determining factor for right vs. wrong is never
enough. For a community to be „happy” there must be objective rules that all must abide by,
including the leaders. There must also be honest individuals who are genuinely concerned
with the welfare of others, especially the weakest among us, and do not place their own
happiness as top priority.
Questions for discussion: (Based upon scenes from the movie)
1. How would you describe Richard’s character and his search for happiness? Does he
change or learn a lesson from his experience of searching for paradise?
2. Describe the community on the island? How would you describe their relationships?
Did they really find paradise? Were they happy?
3. Have you ever „looked for paradise”? Where did you look?
4. How did this film challenge your thinking? How did it make you feel afterwards?
5. As Christians, should we seek out our own happiness? Happiness should be viewed as
a result rather than as a goal we set out to achieve. The Bible teaches us that our goal
in life should be to know God and as a result of ’finding Him” it brings us much joy.
Living in a relationship with Him is what brings meaning and purpose to life. Only in
sacrificially serving and loving others do we find true community and real friendships.
Since mankind experienced paradise on earth before the fall into sin, we all in a sense
long for the way it used to be. God tells us to patiently wait for there will be a
paradise on earth once again when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. He promises to usher
in a new age when there will be truly no more tears. Our hope rests in the belief that
one day in the future heaven will come to earth.