Incredibly impactful if watched without prejudice

Rating: 9/10 (3 June 2003)

I saw this movie in the theater before there was a huge buzz about how huge it was, and so I had no notions of what to expect before I saw it... and it blew me away. I honestly feel that a lot of the reason some people are so critical of it is as a backlash to people's obsessiveness over it after it came out. There is a reason people obsessed over it though - never since have I seen a film that has moved me more emotionally.
I think the acting is quite good, especially by Kate Winslet and Bill Paxton, somewhat less so by Leonardo DiCaprio and Billy Zane. The main things I think lacking are a really deep or philosophical message and real artistry to the filmmaking, but then again, it shouldn't have those - it's an emotional movie, not an art film. The soundtrack is one of the best ever made for a movie, and the movie as a whole is just so grand and well done that it moved me to tears the first several times I watched it. I would rate it a 10, except that it just dosen't have the depth and art, and rewatch value of movies like Requiem for a Dream, SE7EN, or the Matrix Reloaded...... but the point is, to get this movie, you have to be willing to watch it when you're willing to be emotionally moved, and without preconcieved notions about how it's overrated or sappy... If you do that, it *really* packs a punch. Best chick flick ever made.