Overall Effect

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TitanicShack : One Thread

Okay you guys, I'm not that great of a writer and it's hard for me to put into words what I feel about this movie... I've never even imagined a movie could make me feel this way! When I left the theatre with my buds I didn't even talk for the next half hour cause I thought my voice would crack. Then I saw I didn't need to, all of my friends had tears in their eyes. Titanic was brilliant in every possible way, from the acting to the sets to the sfx to the music.. Oh God, I could spend hours talking about the music, but you all know about that. I had two favorite shots - one when she was in the front of the ship and the wind was in her hair, and also the REALLY high up shot in which the Titanic is a tiny speck in the water, with rockets bursting above it and the vast ocean all around... I could wax lyrical for pages more, but you'll know what I'm talking about. This movie was so incredible... I've never seen anything like it. IF you want to talk some more, please email me at elozovsk@fas.harvard.edu

-- Ilya Neyfakh (elozovsk@fas.harvard.edu), December 28, 1997

Answers

I know exactly what you mean!!! I seriously want to write to Leonardo Dicaprio, Kate Winslet or even the director, James Cameron. There are no words to describe the impact this movie had on me. I felt so in touch with everything. If anyone can help me with my quest to send an E-Mail or letter please contact me.

-- Carrie (Sisro@aol.com), December 30, 1997.

I just wanted to say that I know exactly what you mean.....I felt the same way...my date kept asking me...."are you ok?" I couldnt even speak to him. I felt as if I was not even really there...like I was dreaming or something....Gosh, I can't even explain it!

The characters Jack and Rose have made a difference in sooo many peoples lives now....I know it sounds crazy but I felt like a different person from the moment I stepped out of the theatre. well at this point: I have seen it twice and I intend on seeing many more times. I hope James Cameron knows how big of an impact he has made on the world!!! @-<-------

-- Christina Marie (Happy1434@aol.com), December 30, 1997.


I feel so much better after reading all of your messages! I've been so distraught since seeing the movie five days ago on Christmas night. I was starting to wonder if something else was wrong with me; post holiday blues or something, because I didn't think that a movie could really have that strong of an effect. But now I see that I'm not alone! I loved the movie so much. What really touched me, of course, were the characters of Jack and Rose. They were both such courageous, intelligent, energetic and above all, passionate people. What I've found so hard to deal with is the fact that they were both so young and alive; they had just found each other and fallen in love and they were only able to spend about five days together before being split by death. It is especially heart-wrenching, because, in the last hour of the film, they outwit death a number of times because of their strong will to survive and remain together. Over and over. Yet, in the end, he is still taken from her. The scene near the end, after the Titanic has sunk and Jack saves Rose by leading her to that large, flat piece of ship to lie upon and makes her promise that she will go on and live a long full life and die an old woman in a warm bed is veerry emotional. But the final tearjerker comes at the end, when the movie is brought back to present day and you realize that this happened to Rose 85 years ago. Almost a century ago, and she still remembers the entire story in full and complete detail. She can still picture his face, she still carries his name "Dawson," and she still loves him. He has been in her heart the whole time. When you think of the courage she had, to go on and live that adventure-filled life, despite her loss, it's amazing. The way I think of it, he sacrificed his life for hers, and she dedicated the rest of her life to him. The love they experienced and the courage they both demonstrated is so overwhelming to me. The only consolation I have is that they were finally reunited in Heaven at the end. In my opionion, no other couple, including Romeo & Juliet, nor Scarlett and Rhett, nor anyone else, can compare to Jack and Rose of the Titanic!

-- Jen Alexander (jmalexande@mofo.com), December 30, 1997.

I AGREE WITH YOU GUYS ON THIS.....I'VE SEEN THE MOVIE FOUR TIMES AND I STILL LOVE IT!! I TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME!! WHENEVER I HAVE THE TIME I GET ON HERE AND READ EVERYTHING I CAN FIND ON TITANIC.....NOT JUST THE MOVIE BUT THE ACTUAL TRAGEDY ITSELF. I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH JUST SEEING THAT MOVIE AND GETTING INTERESTED IN THE ACTUAL EVENTS. AND THEN THERE'S THE LOVE STORY.....CAN'T WE ALL HAVE A JACK DAWSON? THAT MOVIE WAS COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN. I AGREE, I REALLY DON'T SEE A COMPARISON WITH OTHER LOVERS LIKE ROMEO AND JULIET OR SCARLETT AND RHETT. WAY TO GO, MR. JAMES CAMERON, FOR WAKING THE WORLD UP TO THE TRAGEDY OF TITANIC.

-- ANA KIRBY (KPA9@AOL.COM), December 31, 1997.

I had the same feeling. I left the movie theater with my buds and we were all so quite. The movie was so touching. I have liked other movies but I do LOVE this movie. The music went right along with the scenes. Every time I hear " My Heart Will Go On" I get all teary eyed. I went out and bought it the day after I saw the movie. It is a very touching song.The story was one that I will never forget. The kind of bond that Jack and Rose had is what we need more of now. They really cared for each other and were not afraid to let it show. The movie just wasn't all drama and love. There was the occasional joke. There were times when the whole movie theater laughed out loud and times when they all held their breath. At the end there was not a dry eye in there. This movie will surely make history. I know I will never forget it. I plan on seeing this movie many more times and when it comes out on video I plan on buying it. In all of my 13 years of my life have I been so touched bye a movie.

-- Nicole Damstetter (eeyorenkd@hotmail.com), December 31, 1997.


To say that I was overwhelmed by the movie would be an understatement. When I came home from the movie, I immediately searched for all Titanic links online. I'm amazed and relieved to learn that I'm not the only one who have been touched by the movie. One week and a re-watch later, I'm still thinking about the brilliance of it all. Sadly, I've been unable to get the soundtrack as it was sold out at all the stores I went to! But at least I get to hear you guys talk about the music. For now I can't wait for the video to come out. Anyone knows when?

-- Shariffah (shariffah@pacific.net.sg), January 01, 1998.

I'm having trouble getting the soundtrack for the same reason. Every store tells me it's backlogged from their distributioners, and that they are ordering more as soon as possible. Just in case, though, I had Blockbuster special order one for me. Anyone who couldn't get it should do that, they'll be happy to order it for you. The other CD stores I talked to said they were ordering it but wouldn't assure me that I'd get a copy.

-- Dave Phillips (Sonitus@USA.net), January 01, 1998.

To start off let me say that I never really like too many movies like this, the "so-called" girl movies. But now I cannot get this movie out of my mind. It was, simply put, the most powerful movie I have ever seen. I saw it last Friday and cannot stop thinking about it. (And I am also glad to see that I am not a freak when it comes to this, that it has done this to others.)

Mostly it makes me sad and realize that no matter what happens to one person in this world, the most important thing may be finding that one person who can make you feel such things. The saddest thing about the movie to me was when Jack, knowing he might not make it, said to her something like he was so lucky to have won those tickets because he was able to be with her. Can you imagine feeling so strong that you would trade a couple of days with someone and death over not having experienced any of it. The movie made me feel like I would trade anything I had to have been in his position, because you can go through an 85 year life and never really live like those two did (even though it was so short for him.)

Because this movie was so sad I have also been on a mission to deny it, for instance researching to make sure the story betwen those two was untrue, etc. I would like to think that I am mature enough to let a movie (especially with the love story part being untrue) affect me the way this has, but I cannot shake it.

-- Brian (brian.kush@ey.com), January 01, 1998.


Wow ! ! I am so glad to know I am not a freak. I was begining to think I was the only one who felt so much for this movie. I haven't cried in a long time and I think the last movie that made me cry was Old Yeller'. This movie really moved me I teared up in the theater and then came home and couldn't stop crying. Everyting about it was amazing. Thanks everyone for feeling the way I do. I believe I would have willingly died on the Titanic to for someone who would say to me " You jump, I jump."

-- Tiffany Smith (dsdahl@guymon.tebtc.com), January 02, 1998.

Good heavens, I'm so glad I'm not alone. Saw this earlier tonight--couldn't sleep, so I've been surfing the net in search of Titanic info since 2 a.m. I will never forget this movie. Some of those shots, like the one of Rose at the prow of the ship, leaning into the sunset, are, I think, what Joy would look like if it were tangible.

E-mail me if you want to talk about all this. I am so overwhelmed. I am so haunted.

-- Carrie Allen (callen0425@aol.com), January 03, 1998.



It's good to know that many people feel the same way about the movie as I do, and also that the movie has delighted so many viewers. I first became interested in the Titanic when I picked it as my topic for my sophomore research paper. I just thought it was this big ship that went down back in the early 1900's. Boy, was I wrong. When I set in to my research, the whole situation really grabbed a hold of me. The ship, the people, the disaster, became so real. And it really is haunting. And so, so sad. When I first found out there was going to movie made about it, I was so excited. A movie with a love story, Leo DiCaprio, and one of my favorite subjects. I couldn't wait.

After the release date was pushed back to December, I thought it would never get here. But on the 19th, I set out with a couple friends, and prepared myself for a wonderful movie. I was expecting a masterpiece, but this movie widely surpassed my highest expectations. The length of the movie was just right. I didn't take my eyes off the screen once. And the emotional aspect was....well, its hard to explain. All through the theater there was the sound of sniffles and even some sobs. Me, I cried at some parts, but the saddest parts for me were the ones that were too horrible for tears. It gave me the shakes through the whole sinking and the water made me cold. James Cameron really makes you feel a part of it.

And really the whole thing could have been prevented. If only there had been lookouts for the binoculars. If only Ismay hadn't wanted to go faster. If only Captain Smith hadn't listened to him. If only there were enough life boats. And when Ismay jumped in that boat, I wanted to ring his neck. I wasn't too fond of Cal either. But, then again, who was? The love story was wonderful, one of the best I've seen. Jack and Rose were characters you could care about. And my heart broke at the end when it showed those pictures of Rose doing all the things she and Jack had talked about doing. The whole experience was one I will never forget, and this movie will definately be mine when it comes to video.

Annie

-- Annie (titanic16@hotmail.com), January 03, 1998.


If only I had stumbled onto this site sooner. I saw Titanic one week ago and I have not been able to get it off my mind. The day after I went to five different stores searching for the soundtrack, and finally I found it. It's like I relive the movie every time I listen to it. I play it so much that I think my family is going to shoot me if they hear it again.

But none of them have seen the movie, so they can't possibly understand how it impacts you. This was absolutely the best movie I have ever seen in my life. Everything about it...the actors, the sets, the story. Unforgettable. As a hopeless romantic, I could not think of a love story that has touched me so deeply. Thank you so much for feeling the way I do and letting me know that I am not some overly obsessive Titanic freak.

-- Shannon (ewbarrington@juno.com), January 04, 1998.


Ahhh!!! More people like me!!! I saw it last Tues and can't stop thinking about it or talking about it. None of my friends have seen it either and they are so tired of hearing it. I went online all of New years day and read the entire screen play again!!!! I cried when I read it. I hope to go see the movie many more times. The love between them was so strog...you almost wished you were on the boat just so you Could experience it. I wished i was rose...

Question--Couldn't he have tried harder to get on that driftwood at the end!!!!! I wished he could have lived, even though many say it woulnd't have been as good if he had. But they loved each other so much...it is so tragic.

i'm so glad there are others out there who can't stop thinking about this. Email me to talk

-- becky (Raisongal@aol.com), January 04, 1998.


I think this movie changed everyone's life in one way or another. In a word this movie was breathtaking. It really makes you want to free yourself from socities' expectations and follow your wildest dreams. Rose let her heart lead her way, and I think that deep down inside it takes a lot of courage to do that. I consider myself one of the biggest movie buffs out there, and Titanic blew my mind. It touched my soul. It is by far the best movie I have ever seen in my life. Anyone who had the opportunity to be part of the movie got to be part of history in the making. No doubt Titanic will be an eternal classic. I think this movie filled an empty part of many people's heart that you just can't get from ordinary life. We're capable of feeling the most intense passion and Jack and Rose portray that. I wish we were all so lucky. I think that James Cameron is a genius. He captured every appropriate emotion. He made the movie Titanic MAGICAL! This movie is causing an explosion all over the world.

-- Becky (becky021@aol.com), January 04, 1998.

I feel the same way as all of you do. The movie Titanic was inexplicable!! I'm so happy I wasn't the only one. When I watched Titanic the second time, I was crying for the last half hour because I knew what would happen. Then when I heard the song by Celine Dion, I just broke down crying even harder. All those pictures Rose had. The ones of her fishing, flying, and horseback riding. Remember how he told her he always went ice fishing, he sang that song to her about flying, and he was going to take her horseback riding? That movie is soooo touching. Yes, all of it could have been avoided by simply having binoculars on the lookouts and stuff, but if the tragedy of Titanic had never happened, this movie probably would have never been made! Then all of us couldn't have been emotional moved by this movie the way we have, ya know? I hope I can get the soundtrack and the book soon. I'm so impressed and excited about this movie. I constantly think about it. I don't understand. When I was in the theater crying my friends were like, "Heather, it's just a movie." But ya know it wasn't? This all happened and I'm sure something somewhat similar as to the story of Rose and Jack has happened. If you ever want to talk about the movie with someone, feel free to e-mail me.

-- Heather (ClickyLove@aol.com), January 05, 1998.


I can't top the eloquence of all the writers above. I'm too embarrassed to admit how many times I've seen this movie. After seeing it the nth time yesterday, I proudly admitted to a Titanic chat site that I was finally getting it out of my system. Wrong!! I went again tonight! I am overwhelmed by the attention Cameron gave to details. My 63 year old dad doesn't expect to ever see a better movie, and I feel the same!

-- Bob Gregorio (rgregori@pacbell.net), January 17, 1998.

With everyone else who has not just seen, but truly experienced, this film, it is one of the best I have ever come across. It's a shock to look around a movie theater and see men and women alike with tears running down their cheeks. You just want to reach out and say, "Hey, I feel it, too." I stumbled across the script a few nights ago. I recommend reading it: it fills in alot of gaps and the ending is wonderful in writing, too. With friends and family, I go by the name "Rose," so that definitely increased the emotional impact of the film. Congratulations to all the cast; this is one to remember. Incidentally, Kate Winslet will be on the Tonight Show on January 20th.

-- Rose (rosemarie17@hotmail.com), January 17, 1998.

After reading all these responses, I felt a lot better because I'm not the only one who went bonkers over this movie. I saw this a month ago and it's still the first thing that comes to my mind when I wake up in the morning.

-- Colleen (Colleendi@earthlink.net), January 22, 1998.

Loved it.

I haven't been hit so hard emotionally by a movie since I was a child. I still think about it every day. It requires effort not to run out from work and go see it again and again; I remind myself that seeing it too often in so short a time would kill it.

I have been a student of the ship since I was eight years old. I went to the film with no high expectations. I recall thinking as the lights went down in the theater, "yeah, yeah, lets go. Show me a sinking ship." By the end I was entranced, unable to think about anything except what I had just seen. I couldn't sleep that night (Christmas Eve).

I'll close by saying that I didn't think there was anything that could make me watch the Oscars. I was wrong. I will be parked in front of my TV waiting to see the results of Best Picture, etc.

-- Thomas Shoebotham (cathytom@ix.netcom.com), January 22, 1998.


I agree that it's one of the most powerful movies ever made. I really love it. It's had such a strong effect on so many people, and I for one, didn't have much in the way of expectations going in to see it. It think its emotional power is caused by each element of the movie being so outstanding. Of course the story itself is great. But when you combine that with outstanding actors, special effects and music, it just pushes it over the top. I mean, if the actors hadn't been believable in their roles so that we really cared about them, it wouldn't have had as strong an impact. Or if the set and effects hadn't been so realistic that we felt we were on the ship with them, or if the music had just been average, it wouldn't have been the same. It's like everything by itself is excellent, but when you put it all together - WOW! The music had a big impact on the emotional power of the film. I didn't remember much of it from the first viewing, but after seeing the movie again and listening to the soundtrack, I think it's simply perfect for the movie. James Cameron said it best at the Golden Globes when he said " I've heard the music thousands of times, and it still breaks my heart."

-- Cindy (Cydwalker@aol.com), January 31, 1998.

I LOVED IT!

TITANIC is MAGIC!

-- ariel chavez (ayersir@hotmail.com), February 01, 1998.


I've seen this movie more times than any sane person would any movie in 6 weeks' time: 10 times. Don't tell me I need to get a life; I already know that. This site probably fuels my addiction! Every time I've gone, I've noticed the same things: sniffles during the last half hour as well as during the scene where Rose jumps back on the ship, and at the end, couples embracing and people glued to seats as the credits roll. Onto my eavsdropping. Last weekend one person said to another,"That was the best film," to my delight of course. Last night, though, I was bothered to hear a different reaction. On the street, a group of friends were waiting for others to exit. There were about 3-4 women and 2 guys. All seemed 25-35. One young guy said sarcastically, "I trust you!" One woman said she figured early on the chemistry "wouldn't work" for her. Another agreed but added the boiler room scenes were impressive (maybe she's an engineer, I thought). "I was waiting for the big cracking sound of her iced hair!" said a guy. Giggles in reply from the women. One quiet woman was asked what she thought, and replied she was sad because so many had died. "The effects were pretty good," one guy said, "There seemed to be the same effects as Robocop...The sound was good." I should have jumped into the discussion, but wasn't up to it. I regret it now. This was a novelty, running into dissenters. As I drove home I kept wondering if most in this group were as unaffected as it seemed. What would move these people? Goodwill Hunting and Amistad? These had good storylines and acting, and Amistad had some terrific visual scenes. Both movies moved me, but am not interested in seeing either soon again, probably because they don't hit me in as many Oscar categories as Titanic. I have the impression, correct me if I'm wrong, that the more knowledgeable you are about the actual disaster, the more you can appreciate the movie. I happened to see an extensive documentary on Titanic the nite before the first time seeing it - maybe that partly prepared me. Since then have done a good amount of reading on the incident. Am pretty cynical about most movie romances, but J&R seemed like a PERFECT symbol of all those couples broken by the sinking. OK, back to that other life I attempt to have...

-- Bob Gregorio (rgregori@pacbell.net), February 08, 1998.

Bob, I just read your response, and I have to say that alot of your words are mine. I not only feel a NEED to see and continue to talk about this movie, but I feel such a DESIRE for everyone around me (including strangers sitting next to me in the theater) to LOVE this movie and be affected by this movie like I am. I think you made a really good point, about being knowlegable about the disaster before seeing this movie to be affected by it. I too have been fasinated with this disaster LONG before the movie ever came out. I remember reading about it before they even found it. It was like a myth, a legend, I loved hearing about it.

I went to see this movie, simply because it was TITANIC. But the storyline and the people you get to meet and the ship you get to see and the EXPERIENCE OF BEING THERE is why I return. I'm like a CLOSET Titanic lover, I have to be careful how often I talk about it and to who (my poor husband loved the movie, but he even says "Enough already!" So I come here, to share, read and get caught up in it all over again. Same thing happens when I play the Titanic Soundtrack. My birthday was Jan. 31st, and my kids (5 and 2) made birthday cards on the computer with their dad, and all of them had a picture of a great ship on them, that's how much it's talked about. My children even request certain tracks from the Soundtrack!!

I've never had a movie stay with me as long as this one. The first time I saw it was Dec. 26th, and now it's February, and I'm still here! Glad to be in great company though!!

Caron

-- Caron (bianchi@iserv.net), February 08, 1998.


I am now living a TITANIC life! just joking!

can't have enough of TITANIC, iam going to watch it again this weekend! see you there!

-- ariel chavez (ayesir@hotmail.com), February 12, 1998.


My brother & his wife, both techies by profession, are NOT movie goers, and they just saw Titanic for the first time after months of my nagging. These were their comments. Him: "It was good. Too much hype, though. I still liked Braveheart more." Me: "But your expectations were as high as they could be, right?" Him: "It was good, no doubt about it." Her: "We both really loved it. It was definitely my type of movie. I would pay the $60 for the video [I had misread Eduardo's info in another thread; he says it's $25 if you reserve now at Blockbusters]..It's probably my favorite movie of all time...There were only 4 other people in our town who hadn't seen it! [I didn't remark that they were probably repeat viewers!]..We both thought Rose died at the end." She hadn't given any thought as to whether Rose was a virgin (ha) or "whose hand it was" (haha). I have 3 other friends who still haven't seen it, and you bet your bootie I'm on their case!

-- BobG (rgregorio@ibm.net), May 17, 1998.

Forgot to add that both my brothers are as maniacal about Braveheart as I am about Titanic. My guess is they've seen the video more times than I've seen Titanic.

-- BobG (rgregorio@ibm.net), May 17, 1998.

BobG (my new e-mail pal and cyberhusband...don't ask!) encouraged me to check out this site. I admit that I prefer the anti-Titanic sites because I enjoy a good debate (and boy, do I get them there!). But it's nice once in awhile to come here and read sentiments I agree with for a change.

But enough about me...what do YOU think of me? Just kidding; the first time I saw this film I was not duly impressed. I didn't HATE it at all, it's not that. It was just the experience that sucked. I flew home to upstate New York for Christmas and saw it with my baby sister (we couldn't wait!). I was in a tiny theater with an even tinier screen without digital sound (oh, the horror!) that was filled with people of other ethnic origins who kept yelling out their opinions at the screen in languages other than English, while some burst into the theatre looking for friends and screaming their names out during the middle of the flick. I remember being disappointed that the romance wasn't as "intense" as I would've liked (it was much more light-hearted than I expected), I prefer Billy Zane's beautiful face over Leo's (though Leo is an exceptional actor, as is Billy), and I left dry-eyed, irritated, wanting a personal hairdresser and seamstress, wishing I knew what the hell happened to Ruth Dewitt-Bukater and Mr. Calvert and needing a potty desperately.

Now...before you all go batsh-- on me...because of this particularly harrowing experience (half the reason I don't see movies till they come out on video...the other half being the prices), I decided I owed Mr. Cameron, his cast and crew a second chance. So when I returned home to Nashville I went to our brand-spankin' new Regal Cinema that houses 27 theatres (all digital) and looks like a grounded spaceship when passing by from the highway.

And then my heart stopped and it all made sense and I started to cry as early as the scene when Jack sketched Rose (what a beautiful, erotic scene...I saw it as a metaphor; Rose LITERALLY stripping to the bare essentials of her person with Jack), then I slobbered like an infant at the moment when they ran into each other's arms after she jumped off the lifeboat and back onto the ship, and even more so when on the Carpathia Rose is asked her name and she replies, "Dawson. Rose Dawson." Sniff, sniff. True love. I'm such a female! :) And FURTHERMORE...I applaud Mr. Cameron's choice of inventing fictional characters and their love story. First of all...to not have would've just made it a remake of "A Night To Remember" (which should be left alone as it is an excellent film in its own right), and it would be better to leave the real victims history as is rather than hack it up with creative license. This IS Hollywood, after all. It's all just pretend, and James Cameron had every right to do just that. And no one can change my mind to the contrary.

After that, something kept drawing me back to the theatre (for a grand total of 11 times), where I learned something new everytime I viewed it, the most important lessons being "CARPE DIEM", and never settle for anything less than the real thing (which has been the sad history of my love life, I'm afraid!).

Oh, yeah...ironically, only one other movie has effected me as dramatically, and that was "Braveheart". The story of William Wallace stays with me every day; if this man could go through what he did for love of his country, then what was my excuse for ANYTHING that happens in my life?

Enough, already...I've blustered long enough.

-- Gilded Age Junkie (GildedAgeJunkie@yahoo.com), July 26, 1998.


Hi Gilded Age Junkie,

The only other movie that even came close to having the same impact as Titanic was Braveheart for me also.

PS. Sorry for going off at you about on the Dalton thread (where you said it was no wonder he had any female friends).

-- Emma (foo@bar.com.au), July 27, 1998.


Gilded Age Junkie, "carpe diem" was the most important lesson I got out of Titanic also, and it did make me realize that I had been just settling for less in my relationships too. When I was a senior in high school, we had to read "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder, and it had the "carpe diem" theme also. After I read it, I just cried and realized how much I had taken for granted in my life. It made me realize I should stop and take time to enjoy being with my family and friends because nobody has promised us tomorrow. That play affected me so much that I even used that theme in my graduation speech. That was six years ago, and I have tried to remember to "sieze the day," but I had begun to lose sight of that until I watched Titanic. Titanic was a good reminder of the ideals that I knew I should be living my life by, and I did feel like it changed my life again. Anyway, sorry for running on, but everyone should read that play. I didn't mean to bore anybody, but the "carpe diem" theme is so important to me, I couldn't resist responding to your comment.

-- Julie (joiner@stsplus.msstate.edu), July 27, 1998.

Thanks for the sentiments, ladies. Emma...no offense taken! Carpe Diem, everyone!

-- Gilded Age Junkie (GildedAgeJunkie@yahoo.com), July 31, 1998.

My cousin and her husband (both about 45 years old) finally saw the movie in June, and I thought her take was kind of interesting. She wrote (and no, I didn't request her permission to copy it here): "It was an incredible movie, could not have been better. My problem was I left the theater depressed. [Her husband] was very quiet on the way back to the car. He was depressed too. We are both woosie babies. We get so wrapped up in the movies that we get affected emotionally. However, as a film critic, it is the best made ever; it was well written; the acting was fantastic; and there are no comparisons around for the special effects...We rented a comedy video on the way home to help us get out of the funk!...My dad [about 72] is very much like me; his imagination pulls him into serious reality when seeing a movie. Forgive me, I discourgaged my parents from seeing the movie for 2 reasons which I didn't tell them. They would be upset by Rose growing old and dying as she did at the end grasping her memories (even though she was reunited with her love in death). And when my dad was in the Navy at 17, one of his worst memories and experiences was going out in a small boat with a couple of other sailors hooking a dead body out of the water. I think that the scene with the lifeboat going through the dead in the water would be very disturbing to him.."

-- BobG (bobg@foo.bar), August 01, 1998.

Hello Bob:

I wouldn't worry about your Dad. I'm sure that was a memorable experience for him but I think, although I don't know him, he has probably put that experience in the place it belongs. I know in 1991, I had to go look for a friend who worked for me at the request of his wife who was away visiting her relatives and had called me because she had not heard from Barry which was very unusual. I went to the places she said to look and finally found him, laying on his bed in his house and deceased. He was a great friend and this experience will live with me forever but I put it in perspective and it has it's own place and has nothing to do with anything else. I think your Dad would take the exprience of seeing this movie for what it is: a fictional story set against the greatest sea tragedy of all time and I'll bet he would love it! Just my opinion!

Regards, Peter

-- Peter Nivling (pcnivling@capecod.net), August 01, 1998.


Peter, you may be right, but on the other hand, this man was raised in a different generation. "Talking" about things and "putting things in their proper places" are things that this generation was taught to do by society and school. He may very well have a bad experience with that scene.

I don't mean any disrespect...it was just a thought. :)

-- Gilded Age Junkie (GildedAgeJunkie@yahoo.com), August 02, 1998.


By "this generation", I meant OURS. Just wanted to clarify. It's soooo dang late here...

-- Gilded Age Junkie (GildedAgeJunkie@yahoo.com), August 02, 1998.

Peter & Gilded, that wasn't my dad; I was quoting my cousin, talking about her dad (my uncle). My dad saw it shortly after release, in January, and considers it the best movie of all time. (My mom told me that as the credits began, he said to her something she never heard him say about a movie,"That was marvelous.") I would hope my uncle could put it in perspective, but my cousin feels like the parent in this case, and I doubt he has seen it yet.

-- BobG (rgregorio@ibm.net), August 02, 1998.

Yeah, "carpe diem" was the lesson I took from "Titanic" as well. Read the 100 or so responses and questions I have written here since early January to understand the irony.

-- Dan Dalton (foo@bar.com), August 02, 1998.

Dan, I get your remark now; I didn't the first time. You're saying you feel you've wasted a lot of time on this site. I know exactly what you mean, with no offense to Thomas. This site's a marvel (as Misty said), Thomas (Mr. Andrews). I've learned a lot about the history and the movie from my readings and conversations here. But, to come here on a daily basis and often more than once a day is not the most productive use of one's time. I consider it my addiction, the way smoking and drinking is for some. If I could just put this same enthusiasm into my work or some volunteer work, the world (or my company) could be a better place. Sigh.

-- Bob Gregorio (rgregorio@ibm.net), August 09, 1998.

Now someone's going to write back, saying they were hurt because they too contribute here regularly, with cigarette in one hand and booze in the other. Sending out an S.O.S......

-- BobG (rgregorio@ibm.net), August 09, 1998.

Just ASK ME how many hours I spend at this computer! It's embarrassing, especially talking about a movie that came out eight months ago. Sheesh. Last night I went looking for some other message boards with other topics just so I can feel like a sane woman again. Know what I found? X-FILES. I'm a geek all around, I think...

Oh, yeah...did I mention the beers and chain-smoking while I'm surfing?

-- Gilded Age Junkie (GildedAgeJunkie@yahoo.com), August 09, 1998.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ