REVIEW: TITANIC (1997)
by Chris Webb copyright 1998
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Frances Fisher, Bill Paxton, Gloria Stuart, Kathy Bates, Bernard Hill, Jonathan Hyde, Victor Garber, Suzy Amis, Ewan Stewart, Eric Braeden. Written and Directed by James Cameron Music by James Horner Cinematography by Russell Carpenter Costume Design by Deborah Lynn Scott Art Direction and Set Decoration: Peter Lamont and Michael Ford
With an epic love story touched by disaster, a three hour running time, and great early press, I feared that "Titanic" was going to become this year's "The English Patient." After all, that horribly disappointing picture was touted for Oscars long before it hit wide release. Happily, after three viewings, and I hope one more next week, "Titanic" has proven my skepticism completely wrong. Alongside "Good Will Hunting," this is the best film of 1997 and deserves many of the accolades and awards it has been given.
Some people are losing themselves to the spectacle of effects and editing. Certainly these were some of the best effects Hollywood has witnessed, but the true splendor comes in the storyline. A vagabond sketch artist, Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), and young rich poseur, Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), become embroiled in a forbidden love affair on board the R.M.S. Titanic. Rose is engaged to Pittsburgh businessman Cal Hockley (Billy Zane) as arranged by her mother Ruth (Frances Fisher).
This story is told through the eyes of a 101-year-old Rose (Gloria Stuart) after she has seen a news report of divers led by fortune hunter Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton) searching for a priceless diamond necklace aptly called "The Heart of the Ocean" that she still owned since the ship's sinking. The old Rose takes us back to 1912 for the maiden voyage of the Titanic, when she, a miserable teenager, was heading home for a wedding that would keep her family out of debt, while sucking away her life. Here she met Jack after a botched suicide and quickly falls for him. In this relationship, there are no pretentions, just casual flirtation followed by deep emotions: the type of love we would all like to have. This meets the scorn of Cal and Ruth.
Foreshadowing (though we know what will happen) of the disaster about to occur is hinted at throughout the first half of the picture. The mystique of the ship is that it is deemed unsinkable by all involved in its creation. In spite of Rose's concerns about the limited amount of lifeboats, builder Thomas Andrews (Victor Garber) assures her they will not be needed. Guided by fate, pressure, and human error, Captain E.J. Smith (Bernard Hill) turns the engines to full speed. With no moonlight and no speakable wavecrests around the iceberg, the Titanic became history's most famous blunder. For over an hour we watch as the ship sinks, and Jack and Rose's love grows deeper and stronger as their time runs slowly out.
Everything in this film deserves mention and praise, so here goes. The Oscar nominated Kate Winslet tempers naivete with strength, while DiCaprio plays Jack with youthful exuberance. Their romance is believable and heartwrenching. Gloria Stuart is wonderful as the old Rose, conveying eighty years of repressed emotions. Her role might have been too slight for an Oscar nomination (though her age, 87, will endear her to the Academy) and it could be a recognition of her longevity. Kathy Bates does not show up on screen long enough, though she nails the nouveau riche and brave Molly Brown on the head with gusto. Billy Zane, all caked up with eyeliner, is the biggest jerk on the screen. We are not supposed to like him and he never gives us any reason to. Frances Fisher, as Rose's icy mother could have received her own Oscar nomination.
James Cameron is lucky he was given such free reign on this film, because he has made one of the best films of all time. His direction and eye for detail makes this film worth viewing many times, and has given the world a gift with "Titanic." The hardest workers, though, have to be the stunt men and women, as well as the extras, who might never see more than their names in small print in the credits.
Cheers to James Horner for his haunting score and to Wilbur Jennings (lyrics) and Celine Dion for "My Heart Will Go On." Her voice has become synonymous with soundtracks and this year she should take home the big prize. If you see one movie more than once this year, make it "Titanic." You will not be disappointed. I have not gotten up in the nine hours and forty-five minutes I have watched of "Titanic." Watch it for the effects, watch it for the love story. If "Titanic" does not move you, I don't know what will.
My grade: a resounding A+
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***** Chris Webb *****
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