It's as if I was there...

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2000)

To watch Titanic is not simply to watch a film about a love story on a sinking boat.....it is to experience the horrific tragedy as if you were on the ill fated voyage in 1912. I marveled at Titanic's grandeur, I was inspired to dance by the rousing Celtic music at the "3rd class party", I felt their terror at the ship's impending demise, I despised the builders for the lack of life boats, I felt the mother's pain as she tucked her children in bed for the last time, I shuddered at the icy cold waters. Short of turning back the clock to 1912, this is the closest any of us are going to get to the "Unsinkable Ship".
Mr. Cameron has done an impeccable job re-creating the Titanic and it was the effort that went into that alone which earned him the Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture. The visuals were stunning from beginning to end and when watching the film on the big screen it truly was a sight to behold.
As for the fictional part of the story, in spite of what many of the film's detractors had to say, I thought it was beautifully done. DeCaprio and Winslet turned in brilliant performances and made the characters of Jack and Rose into people that we cared about. We rooted for these star crossed lovers even though we all knew the fate of the ship.
I am not a fan of long movies and usually lose interest sometime after the second hour, but here the 3 plus hours simply flew by. The movie draws you in and rivets you to the screen until the credits are rolled. I can't remember a time where I have cried so earnestly for movie characters...not only for Jack and Rose, but for all the lost souls in the North Atlantic. I have re-watched this film several times and it has not lost its impact.

A truly masterful motion picture - an effort that all involved can be proud of.