Today is the 100th Anniversary of the RMS Titanic sinking in the North Atlantic taking the lives of around 1500 people. There are many tributes, commemorations, and exhibits around the world to mark this somber anniversary. The billion-dollar grossing (closing in on $2 billion) film that came out 15 years ago giving the tragedy more attention also recently came out in theaters again this month.
I saw this new 3D version of the film last week with some friends and the majesty of the ship and of the film itself have not diminished with time. I do have to say that while the 3D conversion didn't really add anything of worth, seeing the film again on the big screens and remembering the very first time I laid my eyes of Kate Winslet were all worth it. Who could ever forget her breathtaking entrance (one of the best in all of cinema) with her face appearing beneath that massive hat? Tears started flowing for me right then and there.
Bringing it back to the real-life tragedy of the RMS Titanic, I think James Cameron and company adequately portrayed those harrowing moments after the ship hit the iceberg--from the mad dash to get to the lifeboats to the gut-wrenching music played by the ship's band. Despite seeing the film more than a few times already, my face still got plenty wet during those scenes and then some. So while the film may have spawned hater culture at large, its impact has been indelible as has the events it sought to feature.
I don't think I'll be seeing it in 3D but I remember being quite taken with this movie when it came out. Kate is so tremendous here as Rose, absolutely brilliant. Leo is good but in hindsight, not as strong as Kate (well naturally). Another actor I really like from the film is Victor Garber as Thomas Andrews, the scenes towards the last moments of his life really made me cry.
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