Rated PG-13 for disaster related peril and violence, nudity, sensuality and brief language.

194 Minutes

Written And Directed By: James Cameron

I’ll never let go, Jack. I promise. -Rose

Synopsis

The greatest passenger ship ever is prepared to take it’s maiden voyage.  On the ship is the unsuspecting passengers of Rose Dewitt Bukater and Jack Dawson.  Rose, a rich girl, engaged to an even richer man feels imprisoned by her obligations and her circle of elitist friends.  Jack is a free spirit who won his ticket in a poker game.  With no address, and no particular direction, Jack goes where the wind takes him and lives life to it’s fullest.  Together they meet and find a deep connection to one another, and despite their class and life differences fall in love.  Unfortunately, their fate is coupled with a giant ocean liner that has hit an iceberg and is doomed to sink.  It’s also a ship without enough lifeboats for even half of the passengers.

Review

Titanic was a record breaking movie, not just at the box office, but at the Oscar’s as well.  Those two combined is a virtual anomaly.  This romance hidden inside a historical action-adventure story had so many levels of entertainment it is no surprise.  Titanic tackled some of the most amazing special effects, CGI, and action sequences ever in a movie.  The breakdown of how the ship sank was done as close to what historians feel is a possible explanation.  To actually be able to see what it may have looked like going down was a terrible, though amazing sight.

The historical references and accuracies were made and taken at great lengths by James Cameron to stay as close to the real events and how they transpired as possible.  Even the scenes in the beginning where the Titanic is being explored by Brock Lovett is real footage of the ship resting at the bottom of the Atlantic.  In addition, some of the real passengers were characterized for the film.  Molly Brown, Captain Smith, and many others were added into the love story, and it gave it an extra feel of legitimacy and even magic.

The ship and it’s passengers was a secondary story to the romance of Jack and Rose.  The irrationality of their behavior, and the risks taken to share the love they developed in only hours is the kind of romance that just isn’t in movies anymore.  In the most dire of situations, in the most intense way, their love was tested, but never conquered.  In fact, it was only strengthened.  The circumstances were certainly extraordinary, but so was their passion for one another.  It is surely one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Cast

• Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson
• Kate Winslet as Rose Dewitt Bukater
• Billy Zane as Caledon “Cal” Hockley
• Kathy Bates as Molly Brown
• Frances Fisher as Ruth Dewitt Bukater
• Gloria Stuart as Old Rose
• Bernard Hill as Captain Smith
• Bill Paxton as Brock Lovett
• Victor Garber as Thomas Andrews
• David Warner as Spicer Lovejoy
• Jonathon Hyde as Bruce Ismay

All of the performances were outstanding.  Kate Winslet and Gloria Stewart were each nominated for an Oscar for their performances.  This was one of those amazing ensemble casts that played magically off each other.  Rose and Jack were obviously the nucleus of the story, but all the supporting character’s were engaging on their own.  Because most of their character’s back rounds or specifics were never delved into, it actually left an even greater mystery about each of them.  The stars were no doubt Kate and Leo, who had some of the most gripping chemistry ever put on screen.  The two of them played their roles with such dedication and honesty that Jack and Kate really came alive, and their affection for one another became palpable to anyone watching.  No one could have played Jack and Rose other than Leo and Kate.

Ratings and Suggestions

Titanic will go down with Gone With The Wind as a movie that integrates history, adventure, and love all together in one.  They are both movies that will last for the ages and only be revered with time.  Titanic has a PG-13 rating due to some nudity, violence, and horror of the ships finale, but nonetheless it should eventually be watched by everyone.  It has elements that everyone can relate to and enjoy.  The love story itself doesn’t overwhelm the scope of the events, nor vice versa.  It was a perfectly balanced story with all the necessary ingredients for pure enjoyment.  Titanic is undoubtedly one of the greatest movies in the last many decades.  Four out of Four astounding stars.

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