Boys On The Beach review

Imagine La Haine made by Eric Rohmer and you might come close to this wayward, but engaging yarn. On The Beach sees four friends from the poor Parisian projects win a holiday to an exclusive resort.

Unfortunately, their rare excursion outside Paris is a terrible let-down. The `babes' they want to chat up don't even notice them; in fact, no one talks to them at all, as prejudice rears its ugly head and, in turn, the boys' ghetto chips weigh heavily on their shoulders. Only one, Yusef, looks as though he might find love, despite his own resistance.

There's a veneer of fast-talking, foul-mouthed fun here, as the lads make fun of everyone. But there's also poignancy and pain as their frustrations begin to boil over.