It’s a brisk morning in Southampton, and the streets are filled with hundreds of people waiting to board the RMS Titanic. At a nearby bar, Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson is playing a game of poker where a ticket to the luxurious “unsinkable” ship is on the line. Winning the game, Dawson runs with his pass to America, home at last. The first night of the trip a young Kate Winslet acting by the name of Rose DeWitt Bukater is on the stern about to jump until Jack finds her. At this moment we see two individuals begin a forbidden connection, that ends in tragedy. Throughout the film, myself as a viewer fell in love with director, James Cameron’s Titanic. The combination of storytelling, actors, and music are extraordinary. With over two hundred award nominations and wins combined, James Cameron’s “Titanic” is a classic tragic drama that everyone must watch.
Based on the RMS Titanic the plot closely follows the sinking of the ship, telling the story of two young lovers. Using the Titanic as the baseline for the movie allows viewers to put themselves in the shoes of passengers on the ship. From the film’s beginning, the scene is clearly set for Jack and Rose to begin their journey together. James Cameron carefully constructs the characters from the beginning of the story, allowing watchers to fall in love with both of them. A poor artist wins his way into a world where he doesn’t belong. Meanwhile, a young and sought-after Rose isn’t meant for the upscale parade of life she was stuck in. The story engages the viewers by watching their contrasting worlds collide, and the difficulties that come along with it. From the first night on the ship, James Cameron follows Rose in a dangerous situation, where she first forms a relationship with Jack. Each scene is created with depth, always contributing new thoughts to the viewer watching. Suspense is an element which appears quite often throughout the film. Cameron takes control of an emotional attachment to the characters, keeping the audience wondering what will happen to the star-crossed lovers. There are numerous occasions where the future of the two is unclear, continuing to pull viewers in until the credits come upon the screen. The movie was composed at a perfect pace, allowing every scene to sink in without rushing to the climax. James Cameron is truly a master of writing, directing, and cinematography. He won the best picture, best director, best film, and even an Academy Award in Norway. His phenomenal set of skills combined for the Titanic was a huge success, making a three-hour film flash before the audience’s eyes, leaving them still wanting more.
With incredible actors, the Titanic won over the hearts of millions. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio bring chemistry to another level on screen, forcing viewers to root for their love. DiCaprio who plays Jack is a poor, innocent, and kind young man with nothing to hide. Winslet playing Rose is a beautiful, young, intelligent actress who wants more in life. Both characters feeling like an outcast in scenes, felt comfort in one other. This obvious connection between the two, allows the viewers to relate as many desire a relationship such as theirs. Winslet and DiCaprio acted since they were children, but had no idea of how their roles aboard the RMS Titanic would change their lives. Originally DiCaprio was not interested in playing Jack, but director Cameron knew he was the perfect fit for the role. After seeing the film, it’s almost unimaginable seeing Jack as anyone other than Leonardo. The connection of Jack and Rose was so brilliant, that fans of the movie today still hope of a day where the actors will be together. Together they created one of the most famous romances in the film. Shortly after the premiere of Titanic in theaters both star actors’ careers took off. Kate Winslet winning an outstanding performance by a female actor, best actress in a leading role, and countless more. DiCaprio receiving best performance in a motion picture drama, and best acting in a leading role. The Award for Best Casting in a Feature Film stands to hold that they are a must see together.
“My Heart Will Go On”, a constant theme representing Jack and Rose’s relationship. The song by Celine Dion is played numerous times throughout the film, start to finish. From the moment Jack sees Rose for the first time, the song is heard slowly in the background. Throughout the film, there is more meaning each time the song is played. Each interaction with their relationship seemed to grow more and more, and with that was the volume of the song. At the conclusion of the movie, viewers see the most emotional scene, and the music brings their history back to the surface. This apparent theme did not go unnoticed, and the song won multiple awards. The song evokes so much emotion, forever tied to the Titanic our hearts will always go on for Jack and Rose. Not only was “My Heart Will Go On” telling a story during the film, but there were also many occasions where people on the ship who were playing told a story through their song. From the upscale dinners where pianists and violinists play, to the exhilarating upbeat songs played below deck. Through and through music in the Titanic evokes emotion, and not only tells the story of Jack and Rose, but of every passenger on the ship.
Not often does a movie reach the audience in a way that the Titanic did. By watching the film through and through there is not one flaw I found. The story between Rose and Jack is engaging and keeps the viewer hooked. Acting between Winslet and DiCaprio is so phenomenal that after the release they are now worldwide sensations, and both of their careers have been transformed. Music played touches hearts as “My Heart Will Go On” becomes a theme for the couple’s love. The tragic ending has been of conversation for years and will continue to be that way. Titanic is a true work of art and continues to stand as one of the best box-office movies of all time.
“A quick tour d’horizon of why the film has drawn such a strong reaction around the world provides other — more emotional, less commercial — reasons: ”Titanic” tells a story that is perceived to be true; it is a tragic love story of operatic dimension because the denouement is known; it demonstrates the terrifying and mystical power of nature, and it has in Leonardo DiCaprio a fated working-class hero with whom teenage girls fall in love. In other words, it is a fine old tear-jerker and everyone likes a good sob.”
In a time where the theaters were filled with dramas and actions movies to draw viewers in, the Titanic appeals to the heart. Alan Riding exemplifies the reasoning behind the success of the blockbuster of the year. While not everyone can connect to the deep emotion felt when the RMS Titanic’s sinking was printed in the newspapers, the heart contains no limit for empathy. In a search for something real, the film draws those who are tired of worlds unrealistic from their own. The Titanic was a true tragedy. It pulled at the strings of hearts and is nearly impossible to not become connected to the actors. While not everyone may have a handsome DiCaprio in their life, a working-class man hitting the lottery is a dream many have had. By watching the film those watching are able to experience the rollercoaster of love, laughter, and terror that occurred on and off the RMS Titanic.
“That Mr. Cameron allowed flashlights into what should have been a pitch-black sequence is one of the rare times when ”Titanic” willingly departs from established fact. Otherwise, with an attention to detail that goes well beyond fanatical, the film flawlessly recreates its monument to Gilded Age excess. Behind-the-scenes details here, which prove no less fascinating than Selznick’s ”Gone With the Wind” memos, include Mr. Cameron’s having persuaded the original carpet manufacturer to make an 18,000-square-foot reproduction of its ”Titanic” weave and his having insisted that every sign, uniform and logo for the Southampton sailing sequence also be created in mirror image, so that the camera could reverse the apparent direction of the nearly life-size model ship.”
Janet Manslin touches on one of the many reasons the Titanic is such a special film. With the sinking of the Titanic, all that was left to put the pieces of the puzzle together of what truly happened was scared witnesses and the treasure sitting at the bottom of the ocean. James Cameron is able to bring the ship back onto the Atlantic and sailing across the sea for the first time through the exquisite detail put into the set. It is through the strong resemblance the movie is seen not a recreation of the events that occurred but as the original. With each sign, uniform, and logo as pointed out by Manslin is reproduced just as it was for when the Titanic took sail in 1912. Therefore, the scene is strongly set for actors to become the passengers of the ship, and viewers are able to see them as the people who experienced the unforgiving fortune of the night of April 14th. Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bunker become real star-crossed lovers, who’s connection is so convincing I wondered myself if their story was based off original passengers. Of course, the believability of what was happening on the ship would not have been possible without Peter Lamont and Michael Ford, who have won numerous awards for the art and set decoration. In Manslin’s review, the attention to detail making the Titanic seem like a step back in time receives the attention it deserves.
Finally, and most tellingly, the movie’s too long. Who wrote the 11th Commandment that says epics should go on forever? “Titanic” is a good, often stunning movie caught in a three-and-a-half hour drift. As we marvel at the physical spectacle of the Titanic’s last few hours, we’re left staggeringly untouched by the people facing their last moments. This movie should have blown us out of the water. Instead we catch ourselves occasionally thinking the unpardonable thought: “OK, sink already.”
Desson Howe writes a review unappreciative of the nearness of the film to RMS Titanic’s actual sinking. I do not agree with his view, as Cameron pulled millions into a tragic love story, not worth rushing. As Celine Dion’s song is played throughout the movie, the long length allows for our hearts to go on for the lovebirds. Waiting for the ship to sink is like waiting for something bad to happen in life. If focused on what and when it will happen, it’s nearly impossible to enjoy the beautiful moments. During the Titanic watchers are exposed to one of the greatest films of all-time and must take every small detail in. If it weren’t for the three-and-a-half hours’ viewers could not have experienced what actually happened while the ship sank. Already cut from the original time to sink, Cameron was able to pour so many character’s experiences into the second half of the film. We see them come to terms with what is occurring, which brings viewers emotionally hurting for the passengers. Howe points out the obvious in his review, that it’s a long film. What I have found is the length strengthens the film, allowing for a depth unheard of for the time.
Titanic Movie Review 