Copyright by Jerry Xin
Shanghai Local Time: 23:50 Apr.14th, 2007
This article is dedicated to the 95th death anniversary of the Titanic under the ocean…
Although it’s been a decade since the film was first released, I still treasure it as my favorite film and touched me most.
The greatest part striking my chord, of course, is Jack & Rose’s eternal love, which is also the theme of the film. Although the Titanic was sunk at the bottom of the Atlantic, their beautiful love floated up to the surface and pervaded all around the world. From Titanic, we see what love is. Love means trusting the person you love and opening mind to each other. I could still remember Rose said “I trust you” whether the ship had sunk or not. Love means willing to sacrifice for the person you love. Just as Rose told us “Now you know there was a man named Jack Dawson. And he saved me, in every way that a person can be saved. I don’t even have a picture of him, he exists now only in my memory.” And it really was… When she saw her whole life as if she had already lived it, an endless parade of parties and cotillions, yachts and polo matches, always the same narrow people, the same mindless chatter, it was Jack gave her a hand to make her re-realize the meaning of life and arouse her the love towards life. When Rose was totally in despair in the freezing water, it was again Jack came to her rescue to encourage her not to give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless… And Rose, in the end, did do Jack the honor. When the Carpathia docked at New York, finishing the rest voyage of Titanic, Rose made up her mind to change her life, from a noble, spoiled to-be-bride into a woman enjoyed her life, by determinedly saying “Dawson, Rose Dawson.” This is love, a wonderful power to overcome social status, wealth, death and any things. Titanic brought us the deepest thoughts towards the value of true love.
The life of the nobles and the ordinary is the other end of the story told us. Jack, a small figure, even only a gutter rat in Cal’s eyes, says the most amazingly truth of life “Make it count every day!” which I do appreciate. The upper-classes are having a luxurious life, but obviously poor inside: snobbish, indifferent, aggressive and fake, while the steerage are easy to make friends and genuine. Still remember the 2 different parties held by the noble and the ordinary? Thus coming the striking contrast!
The Titanic can’t work without the marvelous music which also left me a deep impression. When listening to Track#3 Southampton, one really feels how big, new and luxurious the ship is, and the people’s expectations and wonder. Track#6 Take Her to Sea, Mr. Murdoch is played in the film when Captain Smith orders full speed ahead, after leaving the port. One can really hear the propellers spinning faster and faster. Track#7 Hard to Starboard opens very quietly and romantic, when Jack and Rose are standing on deck in the mid-night, but then the iceberg shows up and all their dreams and hopes are shattered. Very powerful chords occur and different themes pop up. Especially in Track#10 Death of Titanic, I think one can feel the fear and horror when the ship goes down. NO.8 is played when Rose takes place in the lifeboat, with Jack standing at rail of the sinking ship. The title Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave says it all, I think. It’s one of the saddest and most beautiful songs of the whole.
The time being is the sinking moment of the Titanic just 95 years ago. (0:50 Apr.14th, 1912) So let’s mourn for Jack & Rose’s eternal love and those who were gone with the ocean…
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