An antic, frantic "Titanic"...

Rating: 6/10 (30 April 2000)

No doubt that James Cameron's "Titanic" is an epic story, told in grand fashion. But let's get one thing straight right now.
This is NOT a human interest piece. This is a special effects piece.
Look at all the Academy Awards it has won. The majority of them in the technical arena, most logically. If perhaps not the strongest in character motivation, Cameron is first and foremost a craftsman. It's what he works best at (just look at the "terminator" films). Every detail is lovingly placed and arranged with a perfectionist's eye and hand. And the final half of the film (which I'll get to) is a masterpiece in itself.
But as far as characterization goes, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio play their parts like good soldiers but are simply too shallow and unconvincing as the puppy-lovers caught up in the huge sweep of tragedy (a plot device as old as motion pictures themselves) to project much emotion or personality. Instead, they just walk around and say their lines as the rest of the movie goes on its merry way.
Which is as it should be, I guess, as the movie does indeed have its own agenda and does its work very well, thank you.
The final half of the movie is what everyone is interested in, anyway. And Cameron and company acquit themselves very well as the Titanic slowly splits and sinks into the icy deep waters below.
Every single moment has its drama as the different passengers confront their mortality while the ship confronts its own. Older couples comforting each other, parents holding their children tightly as the water rises around them, musicians valiantly playing hymns for the passengers, the doomed ship's designer calmly waiting by the fireplace as his creation collapses around him.
In this respect, "Titanic" deserves every award and accolade it has received, even more so. No one modern director has worked so hard and emphatically on a vision as Cameron has here. But as far as the human effort, he is the modern-day Hitchcock: herding his cast cattle-like from scene to scene, positioning them just so to emphasize the FX.
But just consider the FX, and you'll understand.
In view of the sight of the Titanic itself, that earns ten easy stars. But subtract four stars for failing to find one cast member or character as interesting as the ship itself (no, not even Gloria Stuart. Sorry, Gloria).
In all, six stars for "Titanic". Fast forward to when the iceberg makes its appearance and you may enjoy it even more.