A Theme that Transcends Expectations

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2011)

As with all movies to date, there are a plethora of people that simply adore Titanic, there are a multitude of people that utterly despise Titanic, and there are many more in between. Those that are infatuated with this movie comment on its brilliant acting, cunning storyline, and sad yet epic finale. Those believing this movie is garbage comment on its lack of an original plot, boring script, and historical inaccuracy. And yet again, there are many more explanations in between the two extremes.
Personally, I believe there is something within this movie that transcends all of the above arguments. It's a very basic theme: losing the one you love. The actors, in this case, are just devices, clichéd personalities to which many people can relate. Although DiCaprio's and Winslet's acting was in my opinion brilliant, that is irrelevant. All they had to do was become relatable, which they did perfectly.
The reason this theme is so powerful, however, is because it is inevitable in life. That's not being pessimistic; that is just fact. All humans die eventually, and all humans love at one time or another (except for the psychopaths). The depressing truth is that one day, your loved one and yourself will be separated, either through death, hatred, or some other factor. Basically, love is not eternal in this physical realm. That is what makes this movie so powerful. People begin to see themselves in the main characters, and with Rose's loss comes the viewer's loss. With Jack's death come's the viewer's pain. I can still remember those three fateful words at the closure of the movie: "Don't let go." That truly captures the movie as a whole, and offers a reconciliation for this depressing theme. All in all, regardless of the acting, the setting, the historical accuracy, the plot, the storyline, or any other facet of the movie, this theme is ageless, and allows this movie to be a brilliant masterpiece.
10/10, easily. One of, if not, my favorite.