Skykid wrote:On a completely contrary note: I'll never understand why people hate Titanic to such a degree. Is it the schlocky nature of its premise? The manipulative nature of its drama? Because it's guilty of all those things and more, but it remains undoubtedly one of Cameron's most all-round accomplished movies. Within the man's remit, it's right at the top of the pile in terms of successful assembly. How long has it been since any of you actually sat down and watched it? I went to see it recently in the theatre for the anniversary re-release and yes, it's a completely Hollywood, superficial adventure movie; just one that happens to be brilliantly put together and one of the best examples of its kind. It is exactly as it's intended to be, and it succeeds better than most at being just that.
I'll take a crack off of that.
(First, TLDR; one word answer; TASTE)
Disclaimers;
I've never seen
Titanic (1997) from start to finish in one sitting. Obviously, this is because I am drug free. I also have not seen the very end of the film.
Second, a little story;
I was born and raised at the ships last port of call.
One of the Centenary remembrances at the port, was an all ticket affair. On each of those tickets was printed the name of one of the passengers of the Titanic.
An attendee who took their children, told me that at the end of the night when leaving, ticket holders whose tickets held the name of a passenger allocated according to the attendees sex,
presented the ticket and were then informed (children and all) if they had perished or not.
All of which is, of course, in no way to say that there is anything wrong with making a film about the sinking.
A Night to Remember (1958) - Roy Ward Baker (from which Cameron lifted with abandon) is a favourite of mine. The "Cameronization" of it, is another thing altogether.
I think people recognise that this event is not like a generic war story, with which "artistic" licence can be taken.
The sinking is a very specific tragedy and I think some were put off by the idea of the "boy" DiCaprio, ring master Cameron, shrill sphincter mouthed Dion and James Horner,
making a three ringed circus out of it.
Now, if none of this is of the slightest concern and one is just judging the film on a check list of "what makes a good film", one can easily miss why many people would viscerally dislike the film.
So, no, ones "heart will not go on".
It went down 12,500 feet, in freezing waters, on a moonless night, 15 April 1912, to the bottom, 370 miles off Newfoundland and James Cameron can kiss my Irish arse.