Tiny Miracles In A Titanic Movie

There's a million things I could write about the brilliance of James Cameron's Titanic. There's the usual stuff about Cameron's perfectly structured script. Or his beautifully uncluttered direction and his mastery of editing suspensful action. There's the memorable score or the grandly staged production where no expense has been spared. Or the fresh performances of Winslet, DeCaprio & Co, bringing their rounded charcters to life vividly.

But at the end of the day there's two reasons why Titanic is so good and why it went on to become the biggest money earner in film history.

First, it's based upon the most famous modern historic tragedy of the twentieth century. People, including me, are interested in what really went on that tragic night; what caused the disaster and what it would have been like for the 2200 souls on that voyage. With the aid of staggeringly accurate research applied to the script and design of the film, we can get a feel for it. State of the art FX allow audiences to see the sinking in the most realistic way possible. And very likable, regognisable and relatable performances from the two leads allow us to experience the disaster through their eyes. It's this historic aspect which got audiences into the theatres in 1997 in the first place.

What got them coming back for multiple showings, created massive positive word-of-mouth, and spawned an unstoppable global box-office behemoth was one tiny, tiny moment in the film. It takes 2 and a half hours to build up to it, lasts not-even 10 seconds, and is perfectly complimented by the remainder of the film.

Rose lets go of Jack's hand.

The entire script is designed around this one moment. Everything about the thematic content, the character arcs, even the tragedy of the Titanic herself culminates in that moment. It was obvious that this scene is profoundly affecting from the mass-audience crying I witnessed (more than once), when seeing it originally in cinemas in '97.

There's two reason why people are moved by this. Firstly, audiences are so invested in Jack (DiCaprio) & Rose (Winslet) at this point, that it's devastating that Jack has not survived and that his, and Rose's, "perfect" romance is not to be. After all the film has been strengthening the romance throughout and it's then taken away from audiences, perhaps who are expecting wedding bells at the end.

But the beauty of this film is it isn't just about death (despite 1500 passengers going to their doom. It's really about life. It's set up early in the movie when Leo saves Kate from falling; there's a close-up of their hands gripping tight. Later, Leo makes Kate promise to "Never let go". And of course in that very moment, their hands part. When their hands clasp at the beginning of the movie, Kate is literally clinging onto to life. The hand parting at the end signal she's letting go of death, and 'not letting go of life', so shell survive. Winslett makes a simple choice communicated with a single gesture.

That's something in narratives I'm drawn to; people making life changing choices at precise moments. It might be Luke deciding to turn off his targeting computer in Star Wars, Red deciding to break his parole and get on that bus in Shawshank or Haley Joel Osmant finally deciding to tell his mum about his secret, by point out that accident up ahead. But with Titanic the impact is even more profound as it's intertwined with the historic tragedy as well as being placed at the moment when the characters are at their lowest ebb. It's the same as when Marty McFly's gonna fade from existance in Back to the Future. It's at that emotional low that George decides to kiss Lorraine and you get the emotional highpoint of the movie.

It's much like Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan in that respect, as it shows from a mostly historic viewpoint the power of death as a reminder to embrace life, and it demonstrates this with a contemporay voiceover. Star Trek: Generations has the save lofty themes too, if I recall. But it's Titanic's commitment to this one moment that gives audiences such an extremely powerful reaction.

There's also the controversy over the meaning of the film's ending; does old Rose die in her bed or is she simply dreaming? You can read it either way...Either Rose's life has come full circle, she passes away quietly and goes to 'heaven', represented by the presitine luxury of Titanic, where her friends and loved ones await. Or, as I'd prefer to think, she falls asleep and interacts with Jack and co, as they exist "only in our memories". I prefer the latter interpretation but it's spiritual stuff, either way.

Then there's those that resist watching the film at all, either because of the film's overwhelming popularity or because it's perceived as a girly love story. I sort of get the resistance to a movie ingrained in the culture (I've never seen Grease or The Sound of Music...but I will do, one day!). But this is a James Cameron movie...he of perfect action direction, compelling storytelling and cutting edge VFX. The love story is secondary in the story too. It's more about a bloke trying to save another person from a joyless, suicidal life.

So c'mon...there's no excuse! Watch this movie. If you don't like it, then you can always turn it off. But I know you won't...