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Original poster

Can we discuss the film Titanic?

156 replies

KindergartenKop · 22/10/2018 20:01

I've just found it on an obscure movie channel. Do you like it? As a teenager I loved it but recently it occurred to me that it's a bit weird to set an entirely fictional and unlikely romance against the backdrop of a real and horrific accident. You'd not find anyone making a 9/11 romance, so why is it ok to do this? Maybe this should be in aibu?!

OP posts:
MsOliphant · 22/10/2018 20:40

I think they proved in Mythbusters that the door definitely would have sunk if they’d both been on it.

spaghettipeppers · 22/10/2018 20:43

It's of its time, I think.

I loved it as a teen, thought it was the most romantic story ever. Now I look back and think god, what hideously bad taste.

Nishky · 22/10/2018 20:46

What’s the spitting thing? I’ve only ever watched the end of it!

ManicUnicorn · 22/10/2018 20:48

I unashamedly love it. And yes, I know it's shite.

AlecTrevelyan006 · 22/10/2018 20:50

there have been LOADS of films about real life incidents in which many people died (WWI and WWII being obvious examples) and sometimes fictional characters are included and sometimes they have a romance

although I agree that some parts of Titanic are naff, such as Rose jumping off the lifeboat

TalcAndTurnips · 22/10/2018 20:51

I went to the cinema to see it with Mr Turnip on its release. The only seats left were in the front row, so I spent what felt like nine hours looking up DiCaprio’s left trouser leg.

PatchworkElmer · 22/10/2018 20:55

Agreed- it’s in very poor taste.

BlancheM · 22/10/2018 20:55

She's asleep and dreaming
My mind is blown! I thought she'd popped her clogs!

SecretWitch · 22/10/2018 20:56

I do love Titanic. I thought Kate Winslet was absolutely gorgeous.
My thing is, Rose went on to become an actress either on stage or in films, right? Wouldn’t her mother or Cal have recognized her ( or someone else from her former first class life?)

shirleyschmidt · 22/10/2018 20:57

For all it's flaws I always find Titanic SO entertaining, one of those films I can pick up midway through at whatever time of day. Don't know why! I don't root for the main couple though, always find Rose a spoilt miserable cow, and actually sympathize a bit with Cal when the affair starts 🤫

Original poster
KindergartenKop · 22/10/2018 20:57

Now I know you say that 9/11 won't be so shocking to future generations but I disagree. I discuss 9/11 with kids who weren't born then and they find it wholly shocking. Even the naughty ones go quiet.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 22/10/2018 20:58

@mycatplotsdeath but the door wouldn't have floated with both of them in it.

maddiemookins16mum · 22/10/2018 21:00

I secretly love it.

ClashCityRocker · 22/10/2018 21:02

According to James Cameron (after a quick google) it was left intentionally ambiguous as to whether she died at the end or was just sleeping.

CaptSkippy · 22/10/2018 21:03

There are a lot of things fucked up about that movie and also a lot of things that were groundbreaking.
I remember first reading about the Titanic in primary school and my only take away from that short article I read was that well they said it could sink and it sunk on it's first voyage. That's bloody stupid.

When I saw the movie I understood for the first time under what circumtances these people died and how they must have been incredibly scared when they realized how few people actually had a chance of survival. The second part of the movie was extremely well done and in many ways very close to what actually happened, at least where Cameron decided to stay close to the historical record. What he took creative license with is a whole different kettle of fish. I just see the romance portion as what drew so many people and made them watch it.

I believe the Titanic was regarded as a relatively safe ship when it was build and far exceeded what was required in safety measures of passenger ships at the time. Unfortunately it was considered acceptable that ships did not carry enough lifeboats for everyone on board.

Honeyroar · 22/10/2018 21:05

I quite enjoyed it, but it is a lot of dross too! It always bugged me that they ran around inside the sinking ship through waist deep water, hung onto the outside metal rails on the boat deck for ages while it slowly sank in wet clothes, then suddenly started shivering violently when they touched the sea. They'd have been freezing already! And yes there was plenty of room on the door!

Toddlerteaplease · 22/10/2018 21:06

@SecretWitch I've always thought that!

BloodyDraculcasonthis · 22/10/2018 21:06

Just saying..

CheddarIsNotTheOnlyCheese · 22/10/2018 21:06

My aunt was obsessed and went to see it about 8-9 times at the cinema. She dragged me to see it and although I enjoyed it I was not expecting the loud, shoulder shaking sobbing and wailing she started up with. Everyone was looking but she didn't give a shit. I was sat there burning with shame while she was wafting her eyes dramatically. I warned the rest of the family about her sobbing and she accused me of disrespectful behaviour. Grin

StylishMummy · 22/10/2018 21:06

I adore Titanic and actually think that the portrayal of the sinking, the terror and the utter shit show of the class system dictating who lives and dies is so important.

It's similar to the boy in the striped pyjamas. A bloody hideous part of history and yet it's about 2 fictional children who make friends and die together? It's a similar ilk

Hepzibar · 22/10/2018 21:10

Never understood the casting of Leonardo DiCaprio, totally miscast as a romantic lead to Kate Winslet.

MrsChollySawcutt · 22/10/2018 21:11

Not a great fan of the film but all those slating Titanic the musical without having seen it are quite wrong.

I think you are imagining an Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical with rollicking happy numbers - completely not the case. It's a really moving and thought provoking show. It is so very different in tone to the movie.

AngeloMysterioso · 22/10/2018 21:17

I thought she died at the end, hence why she’s back on the boat being greeted by all the people who died when it sunk...

MissionItsPossible · 22/10/2018 21:18

It was on Film4, that’s not an ‘obscure movie channel’ Grin Unless it was on another channel as well at the time you posted.

SimplySteve · 22/10/2018 21:18

I was of the opinion that 9/11 and other terror attacks (London, Manchester concert) would be an event that shaped the current generation. This thread made me think and I asked my two kids - lad aged 22, daughter aged 19 - their thoughts.

Even though both were very young when 9/11 happened, talking to them about it registers a steeliness in their eyes, utter horror, contempt and sadness. Strong opinions from them both.

However. I then asked them about the Holocaust and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Their responses didn't have the same feeling, or evoke the same emotions as speaking about 9/11 and more recent events did. Their reactions to the Holocaust are based entirely on what they were taught in school etc, and what we, as parents have brought them up with. 6 million Jews were executed and the responses don't have the emotional power 9/11 does.

As the years pass by, I think 9/11 will be treated as Auschwitz is now. It will be interesting in 30 years what the feelings are.

I doubt we we will see a romantic movie about 9/11. Although nothing would surprise me.