So This Is Apparently Why Jack Had to Die in 'Titanic'
One of the most poignant moments in Titanic—which is turning the big 2-0—is, of course, when Rose has to let Jack go once they come to the conclusion that they both cannot share the floating board that will ultimately save one and only one life. (Of course, it sure seems like they could have huddled on it together, but hey, that’s up to director James Cameron and the props department and Cameron has corrected my absolutely child-level knowledge of physics and pointed out it’s a matter of buoyancy, not space, but ah, the loss of young love.) In any case, we’ve wrestled with the untimely collapse of these star-crossed lovers for the better part of two decades, and Cameron himself is here to clear up any lingering doubts. And also he is here to chastise us for still being obsessed with it (sorry not sorry).
In an interview with Vanity Fair published on Sunday, he says that the reason Jack had to die is that on page 147 of the script, Jack dies. Which like, come on—we weren’t there on handout day and no one sent us notes.
He then expands a bit. “I think it’s all kind of silly, really, that we’re having this discussion 20 years later. But it does show that the film was effective in making Jack so endearing to the audience that it hurts them to see him die,” he told Vanity Fair. Yeah, no kidding. That pile of crumpled tissues every time I watch isn’t because I keep spilling my wine.
“Had he lived,” Cameron continues. “The ending of the film would have been meaningless. . . . The film is about death and separation; he had to die. So whether it was that, or whether a smoke stack fell on him, he was going down. It’s called art, things happen for artistic reasons, not for physics reasons.”
But…but…the door! “Art” could have supported them when your physics could not!
Fine. If it’s for art, well, Vive le cinéma! And if this is the Romeo and Juliet of the sexually repressed Edwardian era, we can maybe accept it. At least they had that steamy time in the back of that car. Good on them!
But, IDK, maybe a smokestack would have been better? That water was cold.
P.S. Titanic is coming back to theaters in December. You’re welcome.
Related Stories:
–Titanic Is Returning to Theaters Next Month Because Fans Will Never Let Go
–Kate Winslet Says She and Leonardo DiCaprio Quote ‘Titanic’ to Each Other
–This Bonkers Titanic Theory Suggests Jack Never Existed