James Cameron's Titanic is a film of epic proportions in more ways than one - everyone knows this film. Winner of several Academy Awards, the most expensive film ever made and also the film which has taken the most at the box office - ever. We begin with the unearthing of a picture of a young girl wearing a jewelled necklace dragged up from the wreckage of the ship on a present day excavation. An old lady called Rose believes the woman in the picture is her, and visits the head of the search to tell him so. She recalls the tale of how the picture came about and thus begins one of the greatest love stories of all time.
Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) set sail abord the tragically fated RMS Titanic on it's maiden voyage. Jack is a third class passenger and Rose is from first class. Rose is deeply unhappy with her life, which is a stark contrast to Jack who, after winning his trip aboard Titanic in a lucky hand in poker thinks he's the luckiest guy alive. And even more so after he spies Rose walking the decks. After Jack saves Rose from jumping off the back of the ship after becoming depressed, about her current state of
life, they embark on a friendship which turns into a lot more. Sparks fly, and classes clash as Rose's family disapprove of her exhertions, and Rose has to decide what is more important to her - Jack or her family and way of life as she knows it. They keep their romance a secret, and as it develops, the ship hits an iceberg and it's a race against time to get off the ship before it's too late. When Rose's jealous "fiancee" Cal (Billy Zane) sets Jack up for robbery and has him locked at the bottom of the sinking ship, it's up to Rose to save him.
The film flicks back and forth from story telling from old Rose, to life aboard the Titanic. We all know only too well that the Titanic did indeed sink that fateful evening, but that doesn't make watching any of the spectacular scenes any less exciting. Yes you know what's going to happen, but the amount of money spent on this film with special effects and the construction of half of the Titanic (which they flipped on film when they needed to show the other side of the ship) makes for some truly amazing and believable scenes - more during the build up than the final sinking. The attention to detail as well in this film is incredible. There are flaws, as with all films, but if you compare the film to actual photos from the Titanic you'll see they have done an amazing job in replicating the ship.
DiCaprio made his name with this film, despite having a good back catalogue of work behind him already, and as Jack Dawson he is a loveable guy, who captures all the romance you could want in a guy. I think every girl watching this film would come away wanting someone like Jack Dawson - someone with ambition, ideas, a zest for life and a heart of gold. And DiCaprio gets this across perfectly. You can't fault his acting here.
Winslet is just as good as the upper class girl who just longs to be free of the reins she is on from her mother. Rose DeWitt Bukater is seemingly being pushed into a marriage by her mother, so she can keep the way of life she has become accustomed to, but is on the brink of being snatched away after the loss of her husband and Rose's father. Rose is happy to play the scapegoat until she meets Jack who makes her feel like she is worthy of so much more. And Jack is where she gains the courage from to branch out on her own and live her life for herself - particularly apparent at the end of the film when you see old Rose's accomplishments.
Cal (Billy Zane) is at his best here playing the snooty, self centred, more money than manners guy. Cal is a very displeasant character and is instantly dislikable from the very first time you see him on screen, even though he doesn't say anything particularly to make you dislike him. I think that's how Zane wanted him to be too. The more you continue to hate Cal, the more you spur on Jack and Rose in their quest to get off the ship and be together. Don't worry, by the end of the film Cal gets the comeuppance he deserves.
Not being a big lover of classical music, I have to say that I adored the score on this film. It sets the mood perfectly for every scene - and I even play the soundtrack at home every now and then - even if it is just a classical score. At over 3 hours this film is long, but it doesn't seem especially long when you're watching it. There's nothing really in this film they could have edited out either - it's all stuff that needs to be in there. I really didn't even notice 3 hours flying by!
The story is both believable and watchable, and you're left wondering whether something like this really did happen aboard the Titanic. The film is based on the romance of Jack and Rose and not really of the sinking ship (if thats what you want there are other films on the Titanic around that serve that purpose). But this really is a beautifully constructed love story - with an ending which although isn't truly satisfying in a "happy ending" sense, it speaks more truth than most romantic films would! There are some great comedic lines, and some great anecdotes, irony and believable text in this script. Personally I think this is one of the best films ever made, but judge for yourself.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Don't forget to change the format to film only if just reviewing the film and then let others that rated the review know you have updated the information and most will return to re-read. Ignore the member below as he is just touting for reads on his reviews which is againt the rules
Davidhutt 15.06.2007 00:14
You need to make the review longer. Check out some of mine to see how they need to be to get very good and exceptional ratings. Please feel free to ask any questions. Dave
When the theatrical release of James Cameron'sTitanicwas delayed from July to December of ... more
1997, media pundits speculated that Cameron's $200 million disaster epic would cause the director's downfall, signal the end of the blockbuster era and sink Param...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
When the theatrical release of James Cameron'sTitanicwas delayed from July to December of ... more
1997, media pundits speculated that Cameron's $200 million disaster epic would cause the director's downfall, signal the end of the blockbuster era and sink Param...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Nothing on earth can rival the epic spectacle and breathtaking grandeur of Titanic the ... more
sweeping love story that sailed into the hearts of moviegoers around the world ultimately emerging as the most popular motion picture of all time. Leonardo DiCapri...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Nothing on earth can rival the epic spectacle and breathtaking grandeur of Titanic. Winner ... more
of eleven Academy Awards., including Best Picture, this sweeping love story sailed into the hearts of moviegoers around the globe, ultimately emerging as the mos...
Advantages: A breathtaking spectacle of a film. 11 Oscars, a record breaking piece of movie history. Disadvantages: Contrived love story, and wooden acting from some of cast.
EdFearnley 22.07.2008 (22.07.2008)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of The Titanic (DVD)
Advantages: Fanatastic, Sensational, Marvellous film with plenty of extra features on 4 Discs Disadvantages: None worth being labelled as a genuine disadvantage
![Titanic [1998] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78258924.jpg "Titanic [1998] [DVD]")
Jun 15th, 2007
(Jun 20th, 2007)
very helpful by (9%):
helpful by (91%):
