Before I begin this review let me tell you that yes, I know the gist of Titanic. SPOILERS AHEAD! I knew that the film was practically the greatest love story ever told and I knew that Jack (Leonardo Dicaprio) dies. And yet despite knowing these things because the movie is one of most iconic films ever made I still found myself swept along this very tragic cruise ride.

The first hour and thirty minutes are rather typical, albeit a little magical, as we meet the protagonists of the story, Jack and Rose, as well as the film’s primary antagonist, Cal. Jack and Rose meet, among unexpectedly stressful circumstances, and instantly tension between the two blossoms. Rose is Cal’s fiancé but like all great love stories this is not the man she wants to be with. Instead she is quite literally swept off her feet by baby-faced Dicaprio whose good looks and infectious charm win her over easily. Like I said before, the first half of the film goes along pretty expectedly. It was the second half that made this film an undoubted Best Picture winner.