Titanic

"Titanic" is one of the movies that marked my passage from childhood into the teenage world. In fact, it was the first movie I saw in theaters without parents - a significant milestone for me at the age of eleven. Even though the film, and the Celine Dion song with which it has become inherently linked, is more than a little cliche today, I cannot underestimate the impact it had on me and on many others of my generation who saw it in 1997. When my two friends and I left the theater in tears, we returned home only to turn on the radio and hear the haunting opening of "My Heart Will Go On." Immediately, the tragedy was felt all over again, and inspired a fresh bucketload of tears.

What is it about "Titanic" that created such a storm? You could say that it is the baby-faced charm of Leonardo di Caprio, the timelessness and captivating quality of the historical event, or the breathtaking computerized ship horribly vertical in the Atlantic ocean with the ant-like figures clinging desperately to it. But I think what really captured moviegoers' imaginations and hearts was the classic love story between Jack and Rose. As corny as it may be, the romance is as poignant here as in "Casablanca". Set up as polar opposites, the couple's overriding affection for one another perhaps proves to us what we romantics love to see reaffirmed - that love conquers all, and always perseveres. Although it's corny, I will not deny that I can't help but sob and sigh as Jack freezes to death while telling Rose "don't let go!"