Movie Review: Titanic

The 1997 movie Titanic is a classic.

The 1997 movie Titanic is a classic.

Grace Stolfa, Contributing Writer

Titanic, directed by James Cameron, was filmed in Fox Baja Studios in Rosarita,
Mexico. This film was made to depict what happened  on April 15th, 1912, when the Titanic ship sank, while also giving the views a love story between high class Rose Dewitt Bukator, and steerage class, Jack Dawson. My expectations were highly reached when both the sinking of the ship was very detailed, while the viewers also saw how different social classes were treated back then on the ship.

This movie is about Jack Dawson, a homeless teenager originally from Wisconsin, who moved to England when both his parents had died in a fire when he was 15. When Jack wins a ticket on the Titanic in a lucky game of poker, he decides to go on the Titanic, and instantly notices one of the high class girls, Rose Dewitt Bukator. When he saves her from taking her own life, she decides to spend more and more time with him on the ship, realizing she isn’t happy in her own high class status and engaged to someone else. As the ship begins to sink, they have to figure out their love for each other, while also trying to survive. This movie will have you feeling many emotions. The shift from happiness to sadness constantly happens throughout watching this movie. It’s not the cliche of a love story, but one that will have you at the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens. This film really shows how the Titanic was for all of each class, while also giving a story of two young teenagers who found each other on the ship. Being there for each other is a relaying message in this film.

Leonardo DiCaprio, also known as Jack Dawson in the film, does a fantastic job playing his role as he really makes the character into his own. He seems very real and consistent with his emotions during the movie. You feel as if he really is in love with Rose, while showing the difference in their social class. Billy Zane, also known as Cal, also does a great job playing his character. He plays
Rose’s fiancé, who tries to win her over just with wealth and money. He plays this role very well with showing anger in his emotions as he realizes Rose is not in love with him, even though they are planning to get married in Philadelphia once the ship was supposed to dock. The director helps the film when he has an extreme close up on Rose’s necklace. This is a significant symbol in the movie as Rose retells her story of Titanic as Rose’s necklace was still being searched for during the movie.Rose tells her story of what happened to her during her time on the Titanic, as in present day, a group of people are still trying to find that necklace. This movie was very well edited as it sequences it from one scene to another with explanation that leads from the scene prior. The soundtrack was composed by James Horner. The song ” My Heart Will Go On” won the 1998 Academy Award for Best Original Song. This song is played at the end of the movie with the credits. The overall soundtrack is very memorable. Another memorable moment music from the soundtrack is played is when the ship slowly begins to submerge into the water.

The ideal audience for this film would definitely be people who like romance movies or people who want to watch historical fiction movies. Although it is a 2 hour movie, you will be at the edge of your seat from start to end as it brings a mix of emotions to the table.