It’s Full Steam Ahead For The Masterful ‘Titanic’

When somebody mentions Titanic, what do you think of? Do you think of the band playing to the very end, or how the so-called “unsinkable ship” sank? Do you think of the rich tycoons who refused to believe the ship was sinking? Or do you think of the small errors that, when put together, spelled the formula for disaster? Obviously, James Cameron thought of all of these points when he wrote the screenplay for “Titanic.” He also managed to add a love story to this fine movie.

“Titanic” is more than the tale of the famous shipwreck. It is also the tale of the love between Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet). Winslet plays the fiancee of Cal Hockley (Billy Zane), a steel magnate from Philadelphia. She doesn’t like this arrangement, however, and is ready to commit suicide when she is saved by DiCaprio. DiCaprio and Winslet fall in love. She decides to leave her fiance for him. This comes at a most inopportune moment, however, as the ship strikes an iceberg. The rest, as they say, is history.

I must say that I had a thoroughly good time at this film.

Initially, I envisioned another plotless movie that gave you the facts without any feeling. This is not the case. Zane is the quintessential villain. His sheer nastiness and conceited nature had the audience booing and hissing at him.

DiCaprio shines in his role as third-class passenger Dawson. He and Winslet draw the audience into their passion.

This movie tugs at your heartstrings even as it entertains you. I bet you will not walk away from the theater with dry eyes. Even if you don’t see another movie, don’t miss “Titanic.”

Grade: A