"My name is Richard," says the young American backpacker (Leonardo DiCaprio) in the opening scene of this fascinating film. "What else do you need to know?" He's not your typical tourist in Thailand seeking safe experiences. After drinking a glass of snake blood, Richard meets Daffy (Robert Carlyle), a deranged Scotsman. Before killing himself, Daffy gives the young man a map of a paradisal island with a perfect beach. Drawn by the lure of adventure, Richard asks a French couple, Francoise (Virginia Ledoyen) and Etienne (Guillaume Canet), to accompany him. On route to the island, the impulsive American leaves a copy of the map with two potheads who befriend him. It turns out to be a fatal error that has grave consequences.

The Beach is based on the best-selling novel by Alex Garland. John Hodge wrote the screenplay. It is directed by Danny Boyle, who includes several flashy video game sequences for the younger generation. Its message is summed up in this statement by Eknath Easwaran, the late spiritual teacher: "Anyone who goes after pleasure cannot complain when he comes across pain. If you do not want pain, do not go after pleasure either."

The three travelers arrive on the magical island and find a commune led by Sal (Tilda Swinton). The international group living there grows their own food and is obsessed with keeping all tourists out. Many of the twists and turns in the plot bear a resemblance to William Golding's Lord of the Flies. Richard's moral mettle is tested in his relationship with Francoise, in a scary encounter with a shark, in his clash with Sal, in his treatment of a dying Swede, and in his desperate attempt to redeem himself in the eyes of the community for giving away a map of the island.

This riveting film ought to serve as good medicine for the millions of well-to-do Americans who dream of achieving paradise with a beachfront property on an island far away from the madness of the world. If you do not want hell, do not go after paradise.