Titanic - Review

“A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets” – A review of Titanic. 

James Cameron is responsible for some incredible cinema. The Terminator, Avatar, and Aliens all stand out – but he is, of course, also responsible for Titanic. Released in 1997, Titanic is one of the most iconic films ever made. It’s been referenced and parodied in multiple pieces of media since its release, and is still beloved now, nearly 30 years since its release. Is it worth the hype?

Titanic takes place in 1912, upon a ship which had been branded as unsinkable. The film, which is of course based on the real tragedy, follows characters Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) who are two passengers who come from completely different worlds: Jack, a poor artist, Rose, a rich first-class passenger. What unfolds is a whirlwind romance onboard the ill-fated ship, which is of course destined to end in tragedy. The thing about Titanic is without even seeing it, you know how it ends – and that just makes it an even more tragically beautiful watch.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are both fantastic in this film. DiCaprio comes off as youthful, resilient and a bit of a dreamer (in the best way possible), whilst Winslet comes across as a complicated character full of emotional turmoil who is torn between her desire for happiness and her perceived duty. The on-screen chemistry between the pair is unmatched; I always find the first 20 or so minutes of the film to be somewhat slow, but as soon as these two appear, the film really comes to life.

Something impressive about this film is the incredible detail on board the ship. The care and historical accuracy is genuinely incredible, with the interiors in particular looking completely real. Sure, the CGI used might not be overly impressive now, but for its time it was completely cutting edge, and mixing this with the practical effects made for some incredible shots. The cinematography in general is brilliant; sweeping shots of the ship helps the audience to understand just how vast it is and, of course, how many people are tragically on board, whilst the shots of the ship sinking (I’d apologise for spoilers here but…come on) are haunting and harrowing.

The score of the film is often noted as a highlight, but I must admit, I might have an unpopular opinion incoming – “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion is obviously a good song, I cannot deny that, but I also cannot stand it. Apologies to Celine Dion fans reading this - it’s a song that may fit the film perfectly, but I have heard it so many times in my life I would be completely fine with never hearing it again. With that said, I will begrudgingly accept that this song, and the score as a whole, adds a lot of emotional depth to the film, especially the more emotional moments.

You can’t ignore the cultural impact Titanic had on society. It was a huge success, becoming the highest-grossing film of the time and earning an incredible 11 Academy Awards. On top of this, like all great films, it has been parodied countless times, and has been referenced in countless shows and movies, from Doctor Who to Family Guy. It’s one of those films that you really can’t escape, and even if you’ve never sat down to watch it, you’ve likely still seen the whole thing in meme format anyway.

I’m far from being a Titanic superfan, but I can absolutely appreciate it for what it is – an immersive romantic epic which follows a love story which was never meant to be on board a ship that was destined for tragedy. If you enjoy historical tragedy, romance, or touching stories of humanity, Titanic really is a must watch.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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