On December 19, 1997, a film opened which broke records left and right, and proceeded to snag a record-tying 14 Oscar nominations. As everyone should know by now, this film is James Cameron's epic Titanic. After the incredibly warm receiving of the film, one would think this movie would remain as being called one of the best pictures ever made. But for some odd reason, people seem to want to nitpick and find all sorts of flaws in the film. I call this, the "Petrie" syndrome.
Yes, my last name. There is one reason for this: whenever I do anything even remotely successful, there will always be someone there to punch me (figuratively) and bring me down. No matter how successful I may become in life, there will always be this nagging presence reminding me that I am not as good as I may think I am. This will eventually lead to my becoming extremely depressed, and finally killing myself. Of course, you can not do this with a film. Instead, all you can do is complain and bitch (pardon the language, but this really irks me) and hope to make the film seem less than it really is. I have read innumerable amounts of letters and remarks from people who call the film "amateur" to "okay." Neither are acceptable, as amateur is about as far from an accurate descriptive term that one could come up with, while okay is suggesting that this film isn't very good.
Why is it we must see other people fail? Is that to make ourselves feel better? And when someone is as successful with a film as James Cameron is, people really start to cry out. These same people are the ones who hated Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump, Braveheart, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, etc. All successful films, and most of which deserve the praise. However, people feel the need to call the films bad or awful. I admit, I didn't like Forrest Gump or Braveheart. I complain, but I don't push it to the edge of annoyance. I thought that the former film was overrated because of its sappy storyline, while the latter suffered from poorly developed supporting characters. Still, I admit that they are wonderfully-crafted films.
Titanic, on the other hand, has struck a particular note in these people. This film isn't just successful--it's actually good! Not just good, either. It's absolutely wonderful. A Gone With the Wind of our generation (let's face it--we won't be getting that kind of a film these days). That also brings me to question what occurred when that 1939 film went through when it was released. Was it just as lambasted against as Titanic? I doubt that because in 1939, people had more compassion and love. When someone was successful, they applauded them. Not so in the 90s. People are more obsessed with themselves than ever, and when we see a film that portrays a character giving his life so another could live, we get offended. Well, we shouldn't be offended... we should be ashamed!
I have talked to many of my friends who love the James Cameron epic. We all see it again and again, trying to fathom the amount of work that must have gone into making it. However, this also lessens the impact that it has. While we sit there looking for the details, the overall production is forgotten. And yet, there will never be another experience like that first viewing of the film. The total sense of emotional envelopment, the mythical and haunting opening scenes of the actual R.M.S. Titanic in her final resting place, and not to mention, the awe of seeing her recreated in epic proportions. I have yet to remember a time in my life when I have felt that emotionally drawn to a film, or that emotionally drained by the end.
But this doesn't seem to matter to many people. They prefer the small details, and that is where they find the flaws. I call them flaws as it is probably the best word to describe them. These comments range from criticisms of the special effects to the poorly realized story. I can't seem to fathom at how people are so uncaring and unmoved by this motion picture. The special effects are mind-boggling, and even if they seem artificial at times, I am still amazed at how well they appear on screen. The smallest of details are included, and moments such as when the camera passes over the entire length of the ship, are complained against. People call it fake and stupid. I just don't understand why. It looks real enough, and to top that, there wasn't really a way for Cameron to achieve that scene without the use of computers. Any nitpicking done against the special effects is inadmissible. The scenes are more breathtaking than anything you could find in Gone With the Wind. Granted, Titanic's story is a retread of many other stories, and that may hinder it's respectability. But it doesn't. I mean, films have been around for nearly a century now, and the ideas are running low. As Roger Ebert put it, "You don't want to reinvent the wheel with the most expensive film in history." (Which is also incorrect--actually, Cleopatra is, figuring in inflation). So why do people really hate the movie? It beats me! And for further fun, I have put a poll at the bottom of this commentary in order for people to vote for what they think of the film!
Still, these condescending people aren't enough to overpower the loyal fans who flock to see it, time and time again. Box office receipts aside, Titanic is breaking records within people's hearts. When I talk to anyone who has seen it, most often than not they respond with sheer enthusiasm. At my job, I get people that call me, and then add that "I should go see Titanic!" I tell them that I have seen it. "Five times, in fact!" Instead of hearing the normal questions as to why or what for, they exclaim with cheer and wish they could see it again (if they had the time). Most people find that the time moves more quickly than with most two hour films. This is completely true (look at The Man in the Iron Mask which seems to hit the four hour mark by the end). There are even those people who think that it needs an intermission. Yet, they hardly complain with films like Braveheart and Schindler's List, which both run just a few minutes shorter. Just think if Cameron had left all of what he filmed in! Theaters would only be able to show one screening a day!
Anyway, now that I have gotten that out of my system, it's on with my life and everyone else's. In fact, I bet most people didn't even read the entire commentary. More or less, it is just a retread of other commentaries on the film's success. Does that make it anymore less effective? According to some people, it does. All I can say is: screw them, and let's go see Titanic again! Now, onto the poll!
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