The Beach (2000)

An adaptation of the popular novel by Alex Garland. 

A young American traveller called Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes in search of a mythical island – and finds it. There, he joins an idealistic community led by Sal (a believable Tilda Swinton). But he soon discovers that this is far from the paradise he dreamed of.

DiCaprio is superb in the main role. His mixture of arrogance and vulnerability seems very real. 

I’m less keen on some of the stylings from director Danny Boyle, such as when Richard imagines he’s within a video game and the film becomes one. But the story and acting are so strong that you are swept along by the plot anyway.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

The plot is a little tricky to explain, so here’s what it says on the internet: “A teenager from the slums of Mumbai becomes a contestant on the show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati?’ When interrogated under suspicion of cheating, he revisits his past, revealing how he had all the answers.”

This clever premise allows us to see, in flashback, the life story of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), his brother Salim (Madhur Mittal) and his friend and lover Latika (Freida Pinto). This includes being orphaned, being exploited by a gangster who blinds children so they can beg for him, and dabbling with the criminal underworld. 

It becomes incredibly gripping, as well as often painful to watch. The intensity is such that I felt quite shaken by the end of it. The DVD box has a quote calling it “the feel-good film of the decade”, but for most of the time it’s actually fairly dark and disturbing. 

Director Danny Boyle’s usual visual energy is in abundance. Initially I felt that his high-speed, high-colour treatment was trivialising the drama, but then I came to understand that this approach perfectly evokes Jamal’s lifetime of vivid recollections. It’s a memorable and often brilliant film.

Yesterday (2019)

Comedy drama written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle.

Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) is a struggling singer who – owing to a mysterious electrical event it’s best not to ask too many questions about – suddenly finds himself in a world in which no one has heard of The Beatles. In fact, it appears that they never existed. He begins performing their songs, is recognised as a genius, and swiftly finds himself on the path to fame and fortune. But there are problems. He’s clearly not cut out for the life of a rock star – especially one whose success is built on a lie. And he also happens to be in love with his friend and former manager Ellie (Lily James).

It’s a sweet and touching story. The songs are wonderful, too, as you’d expect. The joy of the film is that through people’s stunned reactions it feels as if you get to hear The Beatles’ songs for the first time.

Patel and James are extremely endearing. You are rooting for them from the very beginning, able to identify with the pair in every scene.

Ed Sheeran appears as himself and is a feasible enough character in his own right rather than merely a walk-on famous-person role. Kate McKinnon is also fairly strong as Jack's ruthless new manager, who makes no secret of her desire to make a fortune out of the singer.

Fun and rewarding.

127 Hours (2010)

Dramatisation of the true story of Aron Ralston, based on his wittily titled memoir Between a Rock and a Hard Place.

Hiking in Utah, Aron became trapped under a boulder in Bluejohn Canyon and was unable to free his arm. After five days, about to die of dehydration and organ failure, he hacks off his arm to free himself and then walks to safety. 

Directed by Danny Boyle, it’s shot in an exciting “pop video” manner. It uses split-screen techniques to juxtapose his thoughts, hopes and memories. This adventurous approach enables Boyle to have fun conjuring the hallucinations and visions that start to plague Ralston as his situation becomes more desperate. 

James Franco is engaging as the resourceful but foolishly impulsive Ralston. It’s extremely moving as he gets closer to death and then overcomes it.