Titanic- "Could almost pass off as a great film".

Rating: 7/10 (23 March 2010)

Watch the movie and you'll understand the title of this review.
Titanic-I watch it several times a year, I own the soundtrack, Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Zane, Victor Garber and Bernard Hill are among my favorite actors, and yet for me, the film is mixed.
Everything in Titanic is uneven. Some performances are great, where as others leave much to be desired, there are some great lines in the film and others that are awful, etc. The primary problem is a lack of realism.
First off with the story. How likely would it be that Jack would fall in love with Rose and risk his life for her if he knew her for only 3 days? I find the romantic scenes mixed, and while they have a few good moments, my favorite parts of the movie are when the ship sinks and with scenes with the crew and Billy Zane. Also the class envy lines get to a point of annoyance. The quarters in steerage on Titanic were some of the best. Rich and poor alike sacrificed their lives to save others as the ship went down. I really couldn't understand why James Cameron hated the rich saying he earned more money off of this film than any of the people on Titanic ever earned.
Then the feminist lines grate on me too. Constantly throughout the film feminist messages are shown such as how women have tougher choices than men, how all the rich men are arrogant fools etc. I just have to wonder how many of the women on Titanic would still want to be treated the same way as men when the order 'women and children first was given'.
Now that we're done with the movie's 'buisness and politics', let's take a look at the acting.
DiCaprio-He's now one of my favorite actors, but I didn't care for him in this. He acting like an American tough guy did't exactly work, he'd been better off as a European artist. Part of it was the lines he was given (Such as 'I'm the king of the world'). He does get better as the film goes on.
Winslet-Amazing in the film, perfectly cast and helps carry the movie.
Billy Zane-If he weren't in it, I might not watch the movie. His portrayal of Cal, Rose's fiancée is outstanding. Maybe because his character is so unrealistically pompous and snobby (Even to the point where he pushes someone out of a life boat saying 'Get out, you'll swamp us!'. His lines are hilarious in the film, everything he says is great, I quote them all the time. My favorites are 'I put my faith in you good sir', 'Not even God could sink it', 'Twice the size of Moratania, and far more luxurious' and countless others. He really helps the movie.
Supporting cast-Bill Paxton is solid, Victor Garber is underused but brilliant as the designer of the ship, Mr. Andrews. I love his line 'She's made of iron sir, and I assure you, she will sink'. Bernard Hill gives a good performance as the ship's Captain, all the crew members are great as well. I didn't care for Rose's mother, who I thought was too unrealistic in her hatred. Cal's henchman was also unrealistic, I mean that he would kill someone just for his boss' love? I don't know.
The Digital effects are outstanding and a joy to watch. The music is amazing and my favorite score of all time. The cinematography, sets, costumes and sound is amazing.
All in all, Titanic is a movie I mixed with. I watch it and I love certain moments, but cringe at others. I just wished they could have made a more balanced film to watch. Would I recommend it? Strongly, but I don't like it so much for the love story, as I do for the other elements of the film. It was the classic that wasn't.