Top 5

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Smooth_J — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:39:47 GMT

enaretea:

Big Fish: Scenes between Billy Crudup and Albert Finney. My father had recently passed away from cancer and I knew the feeling of being an adult son sitting with hisdying father.
That movie really hits the mark with me as well...Albert Finney is pretty much playing my late grandpa in that movie. My dad watched that and cried several times in the father son scenes, some of which are absolutely amazing.

Re:Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:23:53 GMT

I just saw the fantastic documentary For the Bible Tells Me So. The immensity of things that people had to overcome. The love of family that can overcome fear and prejudice. It's all extremely emotional and tearjerking.

When all of them show up at the main office of Focus on the Family to deliver a message to James Dobson, that's one of the moments.

Re:Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

mercurial — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:42:35 GMT

Here we go:

1.) 25th Hour - When Brian Cox is driving Edward Norton in one of the final scenes. As he is describing how his sons life could be if they avoid taking him to prison is one of the most heart-wrenching parts of a film I have ever sat through.

2.) The Hours - Ed Harris and his soliloquy before he plunges himself out the window is amazingly harrowing and sad.

3.) The Family Stone - One of the final scenes when Sarah Jessica Parker's characters gives each member of the family a portrait of Diane Keaton (who's dying of cancer) and they all begin to finally recognize each other as human beings.

4.) Brokeback Mountain - The closing scene from the film when Heath Ledger's character is standing in his trailer and grabs the intertwined shirts of his death lovers and his own is immensely powerful and brings me to tears when the camera finally zooms into the picture of where there first met.

5.) Magnolia - Julianne Moore and her travails throughout the films always bring me to tears. Particularly when she is at the pharmacy and begins an argument with the clerk over his hesitance over giving her the medicine for her dying husband.

There are way too many to even begin so these are just the ones that I have seen (or see again) in the past few weeks. If only this were a top 50 list. :)

Re:Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Smooth_J — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:55:02 GMT

1. Forrest Gump The last scene where he's talking at Jenny's grave always gets me...especially once he puts his kid on the bus. One of the only scenes I've ever actually flat out cried to.

2. The Fisher King When Robin Williams finally comes face-to-face with the knight and has to face his past. It's really difficult for me to even watch this scene...it's amazing.

3. No Country for Old Men Not really a tear-jerker, but Ed Tom Bell's final meditation on his dreams is amazing. His delivery is so quietly emotional...and I cried from the awesomeness of it.

4. Saving Private Ryan A couple scenes to mention: the one where Vin Diesel is shot and just wants someone to deliver his letter to his father, and the final scene. Tom Hanks, you get me every time...

5. Children of Men There are so many emotional scenes in this movie...I guess I'll just include all of them. Amazing movie.

I heartily agree with the last scene of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, as well as Marge's final words in Fargo. I'd also like to include the final scenes of Donnie Darko and the death of Ned Zissou in The Life Aquatic as honorable mention.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

leeroy711 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:04:30 GMT

Allright this may not be the top 5 but I'm surprised Jim Sheridan isn't on the list at all.

1. In The Name Of The Father - When his father dies chokes me every time

2. In America - The end, when his dauhgters tell him to "say goodbye, daddy"

3. My Left Foot - I can't remember a particular scene but I am sensing a theme here

4. The Boxer - Holy crap! Another DD Lewis/Jim Sheridan movie that pulled my heartstrings

5. Get Rich Or Die Tryin' - Finding out my one of my favorite directors made this ball of crap had me claiming that there was "something in my eye" (sniffle, sniffle)

Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

GradysGhost — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:30:55 GMT

I know I already posted my initial five, but I've come up with four more that make my cut.

Two scenes in particular from Big Fish stand out to me. First, when Ewan McGregor's wife thinks he's died in the war, since the men in the army vehicle told her he went MIA, and then his sillhoette (sp?) appear behind the sheets being hung out to dry and out walks Ewan McGregor. This is the result of a combination of an excellently-told story and Danny Elfman's tremendous score.

At the end of the same movie (and I think this one's been mentioned already), when Billy Crudup tells Albert Finney the story of how he dies and you get that he finally understands his father in those final minutes of Finney's life.

Next, in Stand By Me, River Pheonix tells the story of how he was punished for stealing the class's milk money when it was really the cafeteria lady who did it, knowing full well all the blame would fall on River because of his family's reputation. Classic, and it makes you really feel bad for every kid that was ever "known" to come from a bad family.

Finally, I recently watched the documentary Deliver Us from Evil. I don't know whether to recommend this movie to people or not. It's an excellently made film, but it's so disturbing that I'm not sure I would tell somebody, "You've GOT to see this." The offending priest in question seems to think that by confessing (and not for the first time) that he has commited some of the worst acts against humanity you could ever hear about, he will somehow be saved. He tells some of the sickest stories you've ever heard and then smile. And then while you're crying over the priest's actions and feeling sorry for his victims, you wonder what the victims are doing as they watch the movie and see his reactions in the present. I barely made it through this movie. I don't know how they could possibly get halfway.

Re:Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

ohmandy — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:44:54 GMT

HA! I totally agree about the Wind in His Hair!

I'm new to this whole thing, but has anyone mentioned Sophie's Choice? I totally lost it when she had to choose.

Also, Powder, when he is saying what Lance Henrikson's wife is thinking as she is dying.

Re:Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:05:04 GMT

Let's add the scene when the Captain is reading Mizushima's letter outloud in The Burmese Harp.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

schulen — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:49:10 GMT

In The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada, when they arrive at the town and find the woman from the photo and she refuses to talk to them, and Tommy Lee Jones says, "Please. He was my friend," I teared up. Jones, in that movie, was so heartbreaking.

Same movie, when the blind mind, without even a hint of sadness, asks to be shot, my heart just dropped.

And, in Chumscrubber, which was definitely a hit-or-miss flick, the big scene near the end when he tells the mom all about her son really hit me hard. I don't know if I teared up, but for such an uneven movie it was a remarkably strong emotional payoff. "He liked you," was such a great line, against the grain of the movie completely.

If its a top 5, trying to keep it recent, the end of Rescue Dawn had me good, and in Talk To Me where they all find out Martin Luther King Jr has died and start weeping, that was really heavy. Only truly great scene in that film, really, but one of the best scenes of the year.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 03:37:59 GMT

Wow nice. Thanks for the insights.

Yes I definitely know what you mean by being with certain company. I actually watched The Singing Detective with exactly the type of company who LOVED it! Very weird but literate folks, who love strange humor and meta-ficiton. Of course they are my best friends so I think there's a reason for that. I like that kind of thing too!

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

TheWorkingDead — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:31:04 GMT

Yeah, Keith Gordon is a pretty underrated director. Or maybe he actually gets recognition somewhere, just from no sources I've followed, although his movies are pretty solidly reviewed.

I haven't seen the original Singing Detective, and I was a little unimpressed with the American version, which may only be because I was watching it with people who really don't like those things. You know how being around people who appreciate something may make you appreciate it more. This was not one of those times.

I'd suggest Mother Night as a starting point, because it's always in my top five. My top 5 films are always changing, sometimes daily, so I usually never bother listing them, but this is always there. Plus I watched it again last week and it was still just as affecting.

Waking the Dead I only saw once, so although I cried like a little baby during it, I can't say for certain that's how I'd react today. I watched it at a very emotionally vulnerable time, so my reactions were probably a little heightened. Like when I watched Big Fish three days afetr my daughter was born. THAT was emotional.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:09:17 GMT

TheWorkingDead:
Waking The Dead: When Billy Crudup's character finally gets on the phone with someone who may or may not be his long dead love. They were young idealists, and now he's a succesful politician, and he cries and softly says 'I don't think you'll like me now'. Just heartbreaking.
Mother Night: Well, i'm making it a trend now, with director's getting two films each. Maybe this should be top 6(if I can think of one). There's a couple scenes, and it's hard to not give anything away if you haven't seen it. Nick Nolte, writing his memoirs, gets to the point where his wife, thought killed in WWII, is reunited with him. Over audio of their meeting, as he asks 'how? why?', we see him sitting at his typewriter staring off into space, obviously heartbroken. Followed awhile later by the scene where his wife finds that he no longer lives for love, like the young playwright he once was, and responds with a teary, yearning 'tell me what to live for, and I will live for that too!' Excellent fil

Two from Keith Gordon eh? I've only seen one film of his. The excellent American adaptation of The Singing Detective and it's one of my absolute favorite films. I guess I should seriously check out his other stuff. Have you seen The Singing Detective? Which other one would you recommend first?

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

TheWorkingDead — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:16:57 GMT

Some of these have already been mentioned, but screw it, these are the five I can think of at the moment(not, possibly, the Top 5).

Dancer in the Dark: Many, many moments, as has been pointed out before. Two standouts; the I Have Seen it All song, particularly the line about her hypothetical grandson, and the ending, with her acapella rendition of The New World. An ending that actually made me double over in my theatre seat as I sobbed. I'm getting misty just thinking about it.

Breaking The Waves: It might be unfair to have two Von Trier films on here, but the scene towards the end where Emily Watson is heading out to meet the sadistic Udo Kier, and quite possibly mutilation or death. She gives a quick glance at the camera, with a small smile, although she's obviously terrified. That scene brings me to tears, and affects me even more than the heartwrenching ending.

Waking The Dead: When Billy Crudup's character finally gets on the phone with someone who may or may not be his long dead love. They were young idealists, and now he's a succesful politician, and he cries and softly says 'I don't think you'll like me now'. Just heartbreaking.

Mother Night: Well, i'm making it a trend now, with director's getting two films each. Maybe this should be top 6(if I can think of one). There's a couple scenes, and it's hard to not give anything away if you haven't seen it. Nick Nolte, writing his memoirs, gets to the point where his wife, thought killed in WWII, is reunited with him. Over audio of their meeting, as he asks 'how? why?', we see him sitting at his typewriter staring off into space, obviously heartbroken. Followed awhile later by the scene where his wife finds that he no longer lives for love, like the young playwright he once was, and responds with a teary, yearning 'tell me what to live for, and I will live for that too!' Excellent film.

Twin Peaks, Episode 14: Does a TV series count? Am I breaking the rules? The episode with the second murder by the mysterious, otherworldly 'Bob' gets me for the weirdness in the Roadhouse bar. When Cooper, Truman, and the Log Lady are watching a performance by Julee Cruise, and all of a sudden she fades of stage to be replaced by the giant from Cooper's dream, repeating 'I'm so sorry' as we see the murder take place. It gets me every time I watch the series.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

AlienLazer — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 08:11:36 GMT

tmoney:
King Kong failed to prompt any kind of emotional response from me.

It takes someone "special" to truely fall in love with a big hairy ape. Okay, that was dirty... lol

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:33:10 GMT

tmoney:
Dancer in the Dark was one of the most depressing films, and I love it.

King Kong failed to prompt any kind of emotional response from me.

Brokeback was slightly emotional, but I felt spoon fed emotion the entire time, I couldn't really get into it. In fact I have a hard time getting emotionally invested in anything Ang Lee, he just doesn't do it for me.

I really want to see A Very Long Engagement, it has just never been recommended to me, so I assumed it wasn't worth watching, but I think I'll see it now.

A Very Long Engagement is alright. I wouldn't dissuade you from watching it. But if you are looking to see one of Jeunet's films and you haven't seen Delicatessen yet, I would start there.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

spiritstereo — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:53:23 GMT

Definitely do it, it's one of my all-time favorites.... similar style as Amelie but much more epic and with a bigger emotional range.

King Kong didn't do anything for you? I thought it was the first worthwhile use of $100+ million I've ever seen. Not the greatest movie ever, but it showed that there is potential for blockbusters to actually be good if they're given to the right people.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

tmoney — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 23:20:39 GMT

Dancer in the Dark was one of the most depressing films, and I love it.

King Kong failed to prompt any kind of emotional response from me.

Brokeback was slightly emotional, but I felt spoon fed emotion the entire time, I couldn't really get into it. In fact I have a hard time getting emotionally invested in anything Ang Lee, he just doesn't do it for me.

I really want to see A Very Long Engagement, it has just never been recommended to me, so I assumed it wasn't worth watching, but I think I'll see it now.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

spiritstereo — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:27:34 GMT

These are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head...

1. Dancer In The Dark - This is the one movie that really makes me fall apart. Lars Von Trier really knows how to *** with your emotions, and the whole end part where she's in jail is tearjerking in the extreme.

2. King Kong - The new one, with Naomi Watts and KK at the end. You know it's good computer animation when it can actually make you feel that much for Kong.

3. Brokeback Mountain - Again, the whole end part, especially the final scene where he's crying over the shirt.

4. Children of Men - The long tracking shot with the baby was very very intense, especially the first time I saw it.

5. A Very Long Engagement - When they finally meet again and it's just like the beginning....

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

stino1 — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:34:07 GMT

Where to begin.....Ye Gads, so many!

1) A.I. : The scene at the very end when Haley Joel Osment is finally reunited with his mother, albeit for the span of only one day. The tears on our part comes from the realization that this is to be nothing but a temporary reunion for the pair. David's acceptance of this hard and bittersweet fact only makes the tears flow harder....

2) Dogfight: This winning and criminally neglected film starring the late, great River Phoenix and Lili Taylor hits full hankie mode at the very end when, after the course of being seperated for a number of years, Phoenix silently, sadly, wraps his arms around Lili Taylor and after a moment closes his tired eyes. No dialogue is used and none is needed. It's all there on the faces of two great actors.

3) The Unbearable Lightness of Being: The tender moment between Daniel Day Lewis and Lena Olin where Lewis' says goodbye to Olin for what he suddenly realizes may be the last time. His surprise at BEING surprised makes me lose it everytime.

4) Before Sunset: A cab ride home turns into an astonishingly powerful confessional between two characters who may just be one another's soul mates. Hawke's revelation of the dreams he has of a pregnant Delpy lying next to him in bed, naked, brushing away his hand, instantly elevates this film above mere "sequel" status. The pain Hawke feels over the regret of lost love is our pain, too. Brilliant.

5) My Own Private Idaho: River Phoenix was no stranger to the campfire scene by the time he shot "Idaho." He'd done one earlier in his career in Rob Reiner's coming of age drama, "Stand By Me." What seperates this one from the pack is River's tender declaration of love to Keanu Reeves. In this moment he is a shambling, raw, nervous, fragile mess. And our hearts break all the more for his vulnerability. Extra points go to Phoenix who actually re-wrote the scene with Gus Van Sant's blessing.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

tmoney — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 02:33:58 GMT

I am naming the final scene/ shot in Once to this list. Absolute tear jerker.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

indieabby88 — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:35:23 GMT

HA!!!! When I was little and watched "Air Bud" for the first time, I started crying at the exact same moment. I think I was eight or nine. Anyway, I remember wanting to turn the movie off, but my mom wouldn't let me. I was a weird kid.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

AlienLazer — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:58:18 GMT

A movie has never made me "bawl", but I have been known to let slide a few silent tears occasionally.

Here's 5 times that I can remember...

1. Airbud - The first time that a movie EVER made a tear slip out was the scene from this movie when the boy was yelling at the dog to just leave. Oh, yeah, and the first movie was the only good one. I thought I sould just say that.

2. Bram Stokers: Dracula - After the third time watching this movie, the scene leading up to the end where the girl (Winona Ryder) was in Dracula's bed wanting him totally got to me because I knew exactly what was coming next. Such sadness to the heart.

3. King Kong - Now, I'm talking about the newer version with Jack Black because truthfully... that's the ONLY "King Kong" that I've ever watched. All the scenes twards the end that had King Kong & Naomi Watts interacting together were so freaking dramatic. If I wanted to cry three or more times within just half and hour, I'd put this movie in. Seriously, it was a total heartbreak.

4. Elf - I don't know why, but when everyone started singing... I got really happy. "Happy tears" are always cool, but still... why?

5. Illegal Aliens - My husband forced me to watch this peice of crud staring Anna Nicole Smith, and it was just so stupid that I wanted to cry.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

mnoo — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:31:52 GMT

1. Thelma & Louise - Just one of the best tear-jerking endings ever. Period.

2. Brokeback Mountain - When Ennis feels physically ill over 'losing' Jack. Superbly acted and so real. Reminds me of how surprised I was over the physical pain true love can cause.

3. Monster's Ball - Well, all of Halle Berry really, she threw her heart at the camera and it was impossible not to be affected.

4. Dances With Wolves - A bit of an embarrasing one this. But yeah... Wind in His Hair: "Dances With Wolves. I am Wind In His Hair. Do you see that I am your friend? Can you see that you will always be my friend?" And off I go.

5. La Vie en Rose - This one was actually one of those REALLY annoying endings where you know from the get-go that they're going to be milking it for all it's worth and no matter how cynical you remain you can't help being affected. So yes, there it came, 'Non, je ne regrette rien' playing (which alone will get most people going, of course they saved it for the end), cutting between Piaf's last painful performance and her dying. I was trying to look at the ceiling of the cinema, think of happy thoughts, anything but get sucked in - nothing helped. So a very 'manufactured' but effective tear-jerker ending there.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

marincat — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:38:38 GMT

I highly suggest that you see this one too! While the ending is somewhat uplifting, the emotional aspects of the entire film will no doubt leave you in tears. Such a simple film with an incredibly powerful effect on your emotions. If you do have the chance to see it, let me know what you think!

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

tmoney — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:48:31 GMT

marincat:
1. Umberto D. One of the saddest endings to a movie I have ever seen. Complete and total emotional decay.

I still have to see this. Bicycle Thieves is one of my all time favorites, and I've heard Umberto D. is equally as moving.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

divinemsjunebug — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 05:59:51 GMT

I agree with ALL of the movies listed, ugh. A Night to Remember always gives me a lump in my throat, as well as Schindler's List, etc. BUT the most HORRIBLY TEAR JERKING movie I have EVER seen was a movie called IRIS with Dame Judy Dench and Kate Winslet. OH MY GOD, I cried for 20 minutes AFTER the movie was over, I have never done that before. whew...

The scenes in the movie that were most heart wrenching...There is a part where she and her elderly husband are driving up this steep hill, when she opens the door and jumps out of the car and rolls down the hill, he pulls the car over and jumps after her and he starts rolling down the hill too. When he gets to the bottom, he is so frustrated and angry that he starts screaming at her (she has altzheimers and used to be a genius in every sense of the word) anyway while he is screaming at her she just smiles and looks at him and says I...love...you... Oh my god, after that I was sobbing. There is another part where her best friend dies, she really doesn't know what is going on but then she sees them taking her away (I think her best friend was in her coffin) and she realizes she is in there and starts running after it screaming her name. UGH. anyway, I will never watch that movie again, it was so sad... I hate sad movies (they make me sad...lol).

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

marincat — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:17:39 GMT

1. Umberto D. One of the saddest endings to a movie I have ever seen. Complete and total emotional decay.

2. Shindler's List The scenes in the gas chambers.

3. The Pianist The entire movie.

4. Fried Green Tomatoes The death scene...or just about any death scene in any movie.

5. Ikuru As I mentioned above, the complete and total emotional decay.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

wonga — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:45:41 GMT

i have to chime in because i don't see that anyone has mentioned the movie that i think is the biggest tearjerker of all time (Cinema Paradiso - the very last scene) i saw it twice in the theater and both times i had to wait until everyone had gone because i was so embarrassed (as was whoever i was with) to be seen sobbing in public! The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill is also a heartbreaker, when he's talking about his favorite little bird that died. OMG!

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

indieabby88 — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 04:31:21 GMT

Risselada:
Ooooh, I don't know how I forgot this one! Yeah this is a staple in the tearjerker category for me. The part when the kid who played Puck kills himself. Whooooo man.

I belive that was Robert Sean Leonard, and yeah, it gets me, too. I don't know if I what I felt more: sadness or anger. Either way, I bawled like a baby, and I couldn't get that image out of my head for days afterward. Very powerful.

Anyway, the rest of 'em:

2. Big Fish--The scene at the end where Billy Crudup tells Albert Finney what his funeral will be like. The images, the music and the feeling behind all of it was just beautiful.

3. Doctor Zhivago--I've not seen the entire version with Omar Sharif (don't shoot me!) but I remember this from the PBS mini-series a few years ago, and it broke my heart. The very end when Yuri sees his illegitimate son outside a restaurant, and tries to get to him, but dies of a heart attack. The boy and his mother never even see him. Oh. My. God!

4. Fairy Tale--Two scenes: when the fairies discover the girls' house they left in the forest, and the end, when the fairies come into Frances and Elsie's house. I used to imagine fairies living in the garden of my house as a kid (even though I lived smack-dab in the middle of the city) so this was like watching a dream come true.

5. Umrao Jaan--This movie didn't actually make me cry, but let's face it: romantic tearjerker scenes are just better in Bollywood, and this film was chock full of 'em.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

eurotransient — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:16:28 GMT

I'm a little stunned it hasn't been mentioned yet, but whatever room I'm in always gets dusty at the end of Field of Dreams.

"Hey Dad. Want to have a catch?"

Seriously, I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Damn you, Top 5 Spout Group for making me cry!

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:25:11 GMT

meinrad1337:
12 Angry Men and City Lights are the next 2 I'll be perusing

That's awesome! 12 Angry Men along with The Seventh Seal are definitely both in my top 20 favorite movies of all time. Both emotional for sure.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

tmoney — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:17:32 GMT

meinrad1337:
I have A Night To Remember which has to be better than Titanic, I'm already convinced.. I also have a few Chaplin movies coming.. and I'm so ashamed to say I haven't seen any movies of his yet. But, better late than never, yes?

wow. at first i thought you meant A Walk To Remember and almost choked! Anyways about Chaplain...His best were City Lights, The Kid (which is a very touching film. read the info, but it is amazing), and The Great Dictator which is a hillarious film where he portrays Hitler. Absolutely hillarious. I actually like The Kid the most (I took a Chaplin class last year and fell in love with his work).

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

tmoney — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:14:05 GMT

JimBell:
Although this does not quality as one of the top tear jerking scenes . . .
I just saw The Thin Red Line and one scene hit me hard. Early on we see the protagonist with a Polynesian (?) village and the kids are swimming in the tropical waters; then we see him back in the army; then he receives a letter from his lovely wife asking for a divorce; then he takes a suicidal assignment; when he dies, at the end of the picture we see the "polynesian' kids swimming in the water WITH HIM. Breaks your heart, especially if you've been there.

Yes. And the breathtaking flashbacks of the lovemaking between the couple are a constant reminder of what he is missing from back home, and it is beautiful to watch how much in love they are. the moment when he gets that letter is the moment that breaks my heart. I never noticed the connection with the children swimming but that is interesting.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

joem18b — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 01:40:50 GMT

I at least got a lump in my throat at the end of City Lights.

I was glad I watched the second 12 Angry Men, just to see, but the first dozen angry guys were better, imho.

I saw The Seventh Seal for the first time when I was a sophomore in college. I was already depressed and when I walked out after that movie, I was even more depressed, and stay that way for a month.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

meinrad1337 — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:37:00 GMT

12 Angry Men and City Lights are the next 2 I'll be perusing

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

meinrad1337 — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:34:21 GMT

I have A Night To Remember which has to be better than Titanic, I'm already convinced.. I also have a few Chaplin movies coming.. and I'm so ashamed to say I haven't seen any movies of his yet. But, better late than never, yes?

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 19:23:51 GMT

meinrad1337:
I have some of these movies cued up to be sent to me, but I did watch the Seventh Seal for the first time last week.. and, what an amazing emotional, just powerful movie... definately did not expect it.. thanks for listing it

Wow awesome! I'm glad you loved The Seventh Seal so much. I own that movie and it's one of my absolute favorites. It seems to encapsulate just about every different type of personality and reaction towards religion and spirituality.

What other movies do you have coming up in your queue?

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

callmethekimster — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:25:23 GMT

I had a hard time determining whether this movie would be classified as "sentimental," but my top pick has to be The Color Purple. There are so many moments in that movie for me that pull at my heart strings, but the most vivid one is at the end when Celie and Nettie are reunited and as Celie looks out across the wheat field, you see the vivid colors of Nettie and the kids' robes blowing in the wind. I have to admit, I bawled like a baby.

Castaway - Poor Wilson. I never thought I would grieve for a volleyball, but I did.

Shawshank Redemption - Pretty much the whole movie, but particularly Brooks' letter after he was freed. "And most of all, I miss my friend"

The Beastmaster - I can't remember if he lost Kodo or Podo, but when he lost that one ferret, I was devastated. In my defense, I was still a child but I loved that movie.

Duets - When Andre Braugher's character Reggie sings "Free Bird" acapella at the end knowing he's going to take the fall for Paul Giamatti's character, Todd.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

JimBell — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:59:34 GMT

Although this does not quality as one of the top tear jerking scenes . . .

I just saw The Thin Red Line and one scene hit me hard. Early on we see the protagonist with a Polynesian (?) village and the kids are swimming in the tropical waters; then we see him back in the army; then he receives a letter from his lovely wife asking for a divorce; then he takes a suicidal assignment; when he dies, at the end of the picture we see the "polynesian' kids swimming in the water WITH HIM. Breaks your heart, especially if you've been there.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

JimBell — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:54:02 GMT

I agree The Pianist is a powerful movie. But the most powerful, lasting scene is where the German officer stands and watches him play the piano--and there is communication beyond politics and beyond hatred. Great scene.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

JimBell — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:51:38 GMT

I've got an 11 week old pup, and I cannot agree. Although Eight Below had some tragic elements, the dogs were also triumphant. For me, their resourcefulness and strength made up for the tragedy.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

JimBell — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:46:34 GMT

I really liked your posting because I could tell you feell those movies. As for Million Dollar Baby, I agree. Yes, some people say in a dismissive tone "It's a movie about euthenasia not about boxing," but that is the whole point. Lots of people, like you and me, going through a life with loved ones (boxing, accounting, teaching, sculpting) may well face the moment we never want to face. This movie did it with class. I agree, it is a very moving scene.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

meinrad1337 — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:50:32 GMT

I have some of these movies cued up to be sent to me, but I did watch the Seventh Seal for the first time last week.. and, what an amazing emotional, just powerful movie... definately did not expect it.. thanks for listing it

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

micky_lane — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:20:31 GMT

the saddest movie for me is always going to be...

1. (the one and only) Eight Below- me and my mom cried through this whole entire movie. it was so so sad, dogs dying is the saddest thing i will ever expirience : (

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

JEllen — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:57:26 GMT

The top five tearjerking moments that came to me are:

1.Gallipoli - I burst into tears as this one ended. First movie I saw that really impressed upon me the horror of war.

2.Purple Rose of Cairo - while a funny and witty movie, the end was so quietly tragic.

3.Truly Madly Deeply - again it's a comedy, but the scene where Nina cries her eyes out at the therapist's office always gets me.

4. The Pianist - Almost every scene sears into you.

5.Brazil - when you realize Sam has only escaped in his mind.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:23:04 GMT

tmoney:
I thought House of Sand and Fog was a little forced. It felt like all they were trying to do was make the audience feel bad for jennifer connelly. But it has been years since i have seen it, and my film tastes have changed, so maybe I would enjoy it more today.

You might be right. I normally hate when a movie forces stuff like that. But for some reason my recollection is that I felt and could understand the frustration of both sides. And there didn't seem like a good solution that would help everyone. But you could still feel the pain of both sides thinking they honestly deserved the house more. I mean they BOTH did!

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

tmoney — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 20:00:05 GMT

Yes, Rizzo, In the Bedroom was deeply affecting. Especially the scene where she is conducting her choir, not knowing anything about the murder, and the Dad is standing in the back waiting to tell her the bad news.

I thought House of Sand and Fog was a little forced. It felt like all they were trying to do was make the audience feel bad for jennifer connelly. But it has been years since i have seen it, and my film tastes have changed, so maybe I would enjoy it more today.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:28:35 GMT

I've got a couple more that I don't know if they brought me to tears, but I remember them being affecting and full of drama and emotion.

In The Bedroom

House of Sand and Fog

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

JimBell — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 04:14:37 GMT

Ya, the death bed scene in Million Dollar Baby brings tears because, at least for slow folks like me, you realize that this is NOT a boxing movie, but rather a movie about euthensia. Whoa. And it puts us vicariously in a position we dread ever being in--would we kill our suffering loved one? Powerful scene, you're right!

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

JimBell — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 04:09:31 GMT

When that macho dude is sitting on the hill top waiting for the mercenaries to finish him off and he places the cell phone call to Jennifer Connelly, it is sad because of the romance that MIGHT HAVE BEEN. They were a good match for each other, but they met at the wrong place and the wrong time. Maybe we can identify with that!? Also, it is sad because you realize that only at the last minute has he gone over to the humanitarian side and set things up to undo the diamond trade--and what will he get for it now?--nothing!

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

tmoney — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 21:48:47 GMT

overourheads:
But the scene on the beach, and in the house, as it is flooding and falling to pieces leaves me in awe, as I am mentally ripped apart. Yes, ripped apart.

The entire last half hour of this film rips me apart.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

tmoney — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 21:47:34 GMT

joem18b:
Watched City Lights last night and the final moments, when the formerly blind girl (woman) recognizes Chaplin by touch, jerked a tear or two.

Yes! Chaplain was a master at creating emotion without the use of any words! City Lights is one of my favorites.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

overourheads — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 03:09:21 GMT

I absolutely love when movies are good enough to move you to tears... One of the easiest ways when deciding which movies are your favorites, or are at least worth buying. I am so easily moved by movies, it is almost pathetic; however, here are the first 5 I could think of:

1. Laugh all you want, we all know which scene in Titanic is a real tear-jerker. The cinematic beauty of Jack's death, after such a romantic buildup with one of my favorite actresses, really gets me every time. Never fails to depress me.

2. In Boy's Don't Cry, Hilary Swank gives one of the single greatest performances that I have ever seen. She brings the viewer in so close to the character she portrays, to the extent that when she is shot in the head, and the girl she loves collapses on her absolutely taken over by sadness, I am utterly useless for the next 15 minutes while I cry. Sorry for the run-on sentence :)

3. Finding Neverland - I am brought to tears as soon as it is implied that Kate Winslet's character will pass away, but I just can't function when her smallest child visits her grave; the look on his face, coupled with the amazing plot development is just pure genious. I absolutely love that movie, and all the fantastic performances.

4. Million Dollar Baby - One of my favorite movies of all time... I can't put into words just how fantasticly Hilary Swank's character is developed, and if you haven't seen it, you must. Though the ending is somewhat predictable, it is perfect; and it is one of the saddest stories I know of.

5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - I realize tmoney mentioned this movie in his post, but it is just that great; This is usually the movie I mention to people when they ask my favorite movie of all time. It is so perfectly pieced together, and the emotion it causes is so strangely understandable to me, that no matter how many times I watch it, I can't get bored of it. It is just so perfectly sad... However, the ending always makes me happy. But the scene on the beach, and in the house, as it is flooding and falling to pieces leaves me in awe, as I am mentally ripped apart. Yes, ripped apart.

This was rediculously hard for me...So many other movies. Off the top of my head: Monster, Big Fish, Mystic River, Brokeback Mountain, and so many more... Thanks for reading!

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

joem18b — Thu, 31 May 2007 20:38:13 GMT

Watched City Lights last night and the final moments, when the formerly blind girl (woman) recognizes Chaplin by touch, jerked a tear or two.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

JimBell — Thu, 31 May 2007 20:27:29 GMT

INteresting you mention the ending of Shindler's List. Quite a few critics say it is a disappointing tack on. Myself, I found that it made me think, to intellectualize, to say to myself, "They look so ordinary, like you or me, but older." And for you it brought tears. I'm sure the makers of the movie would be happy with both the second and third reactions. In a way, it speaks to the sophistication of the movie. In so many movies, you know you are supposed ot cry . . . now! But in this one, you can process the ending in several legit forms that all work with the the content of the movie.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

pippin06 — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:15:36 GMT

Oh yeah, Dead Poets Society! I cry to that one too. Pretty much from the suicide on.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

pippin06 — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:14:00 GMT

Wow! All men replied to this topic so far. It's good to know boys do cry after all, hee hee.

I just wanted to throw my two cents in.

Movies with scenes I always cry for:

Gone with the Wind: Ok. If you had been watching this movie for four hours, that teary farewell scene culminating into "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" would you make you cry too. You've just been through a Civil War, the death of two parents, the death of your only child, and you've pining for the wrong man this whole time not to mention all the failed tricks and schemes you masterminded, even stealing your sister's only beau, to try to win his affections. Oh wait, I mean Scarlett has. Then the stubborn woman just realizes things a little too late. Those tears are real.

The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: The first time I watched this movie, I cried for the last hour. I did see it at the midnight showing, to be fair, and I was tired and riddled with too much excitement. Now, I can make it to the part when Sam has to carry Frodo before Gollum jumps them on Mount Doom. Then, I'm good until we get to Aragorn's heartwrenching, "My friends, you bow to no one" to the four little hobbits who saved the great big Middle Earth. Then, I'm pretty much crying right on through to Annie Lennox. Hey, it happens. Oh, and it's another almost four hour long running time.

E.T.: I have never once in the history of me knowing this movie not cried. I think it's psychological now. It pretty much starts about the time E.T. is on his death bed and poor little Gertie has to listen to them try to shock him back. Then, I'm good until that goodbye scene. Hey - say what you want about Spielberg, but that is probably one of the most perfect movie endings there is, because it encapsulates everything the movie is about. What really adds to it: John Williams' sweeping musical score. I'm a sucker for it.

Schindler's List: I have only watched this movie twice or three times. I can't watch it more than that. I spent most of the movie being too appalled to cry. So, when it gets down to that final scene, where survivors lay stones atop his grave, that's when all of that powerful emotion just kind of catches up to you, isn't it? Plus...how long was that movie? I'm telling you, the longer ones make you cry, maybe because you sat there and you have that prickly feeling in of all of your extremeties....

Legends of the Fall: Ha ha. Regardless of what you may think of this movie, I cried many tears when I saw this, at least the first time. It's a very depressing movie, and there's a lot of death. Murder, suicide, bear maulings. I can't remember one scene that really stood out. I just remember being really sad, even though I ultimately don't like the movie all that much.

Those are the only ones I can think of for now...

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:36:09 GMT

enaretea:
I am not sure of the availability of Yeobgijeogin Geunyeo (English title: My Sassy Girl) outside east Asia. Does Netflix have it?

No, they don't. I didn't reailze you lived there at first. But I'll keep an eye out, just in case one day...

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

enaretea — Sat, 26 May 2007 00:31:29 GMT

I am not sure of the availability of Yeobgijeogin Geunyeo (English title: My Sassy Girl) outside east Asia. Does Netflix have it?

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:41:29 GMT

enaretea:
Dead Poets Society: when Ethan Hawke struggles and eventually stands up on his desk as Robin Williams is leaving. It gets me every single time.

Ooooh, I don't know how I forgot this one! Yeah this is a staple in the tearjerker category for me. The part when the kid who played Puck kills himself. Whooooo man.

enaretea:
Yeobgijeogin Geunyeo: the entire end of the movie.Yes, it is very sentimental, but also so innocent and romantic, and pure.

Wow, I've never heard of this. Do you know where I can see it?

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

enaretea — Fri, 25 May 2007 08:32:44 GMT

Here are my five:

Big Fish: Scenes between Billy Crudup and Albert Finney. My father had recently passed away from cancer and I knew the feeling of being an adult son sitting with hisdying father.

Dead Poets Society: when Ethan Hawke struggles and eventually stands up on his desk as Robin Williams is leaving. It gets me every single time.

The Natural: When Roy Hobbs belts it and the lights shatter into a shower of sparks, the music, the slow motion -- it's just absolute magic.

Yeobgijeogin Geunyeo: the entire end of the movie.Yes, it is very sentimental, but also so innocent and romantic, and pure.

Lawrence of Arabia: looking at O'Toole's face when one of his men charges alone to his death. His hatred and fury and fear, all pent up, and then screaming out "No prisoners!"

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

lukasblu — Thu, 24 May 2007 04:02:58 GMT

i too remember movies as a whole mostly.And if i do recall specifics it is because i just watched it recently.

The scene u described in blood diamond was quite sad,I did not think there would be a tearjerker on this movie with all the action i have seen on it and with only very few subtle hints of romance so i did not expect to be a bit teary on that scene;maybe background music also helps one be teary while watching movies.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Sat, 19 May 2007 23:50:49 GMT

GradysGhost:
5) Fargo - Again with the "last scene" bit. Det. Marge Gunderson lays in bed with her husband Norm, who is disgruntled that his competition got his duck painting on the 32-cent stamp and he only made the 2-cent stamp. Marge tells him that people use those two-cent stamps all the time, every time postage goes up. It's the fact that you just watched 88 minutes of horrible grotesquity and violence, people getting shot, pubescent youths losing family members and going through unbelievable traumas, a man being disposed of via a wood chipper - all over gobs of money... Juxtaposed against human grumpiness about two cents.

Oh yeah, that's a good one. But for me, even more so, I would say the scene that is just one or two before that. When Marge is taking Gaear Grimsrud away in her squad car. I found a script. It goes something like this.

So that was Mrs. Lundegaard in there? I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper. And those three people in Brainerd. And for what? For a little bit of money. There's more to life than money, you know. Don't you know that? And here ya are, and it's a beautiful day. Well, I just don't understand it.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

JimBell — Fri, 18 May 2007 18:56:13 GMT

Difficult for me because I tend to remember movies as a whole rather than particular scenes, but . . .

1. Blood Diamond, the action flick, where the protagonist (Leonardo Di Caprio) is sitting on a hill top in Africa, wounded, and the mercenaries are closing in to kill him, and he phones Jennifer Connelly, interrupting her from a fancy Washington DC lunch meeting. The love combined with social concern are palpable.

2. Throughout Bee Season people have turned against the father (Richard Gere). His wife has withdrawn as if it is somehow his fault; his teenage son rebels as his dad shifts more attention to the little sister who shows an almost spiritual power to access the spelling of words. At the end of the movie, in a public forum, she too turns against her father. I felt for the guy. He wasn't perfect by any means but he suffered the consequences disproportionately.

3. In Shopgirl, the mild-mannered shop girl (Claire Danes) is sitting on the bed with her rich lover (Steve Martin) and asks, "Why don't you love me?" You can see from his reaction that he doesn't know.

4. In The White Countess, a White Russian refugee in Shanghai supports her entire extended family by being a taxi dancer (and occasional prostitue). She lowers herself to ask her boss and friend for a large sum of money so that she and her family can escape the on-rushing Japanese army and have a better life in Hong Kong. Her family takes the money and leaves without her.

5. And, finally, to take the emphasis away from the end of movies, The Human Stain, directed by Robert Benton, is sad after the fact. The ending scene is actually atypically threatening or menacing. But when I thought back on Coleman Silk's (Anthony Hopkins) life, it was full of heartache integral with his success, and when I thought back on his young lover's (NIcole Kidman) tragic and screwed up life, I thought the word "stain" in the title was heavy with meaning.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

GradysGhost — Fri, 18 May 2007 03:34:17 GMT

In no particular order:

1) Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys - End of the movie (we may be on to something with the "end of film" stuff here) at Kieran Culkin's funeral mass, when Emile Hirsch reads from "The Tygre."

2) Crash - You'll all laugh at me for this, but it's the scene where the middle eastern guy tries to shoot the lock repair man and his daughter jumps in front of the gun. It's not the music or the idea of the scene that gets me. It's the repairman's face as he screams.

3) Requiem for a Dream - Jared Leto uses his phone call from jail to call Jennifer Conelly. She asks if he's alright and he says that he's coming home soon. Coming home real soon.

4) Pleasantville - Almost the whole movie. When Jeff Daniels wipes the black and white makeup from Joan Allen's face. When Joan Allen discovers the orgasm and the tree bursts into flames outside. Never before (and it had been done before) had B&W/color been mixed to such a beautiful point as in Pleasantville.

5) Fargo - Again with the "last scene" bit. Det. Marge Gunderson lays in bed with her husband Norm, who is disgruntled that his competition got his duck painting on the 32-cent stamp and he only made the 2-cent stamp. Marge tells him that people use those two-cent stamps all the time, every time postage goes up. It's the fact that you just watched 88 minutes of horrible grotesquity and violence, people getting shot, pubescent youths losing family members and going through unbelievable traumas, a man being disposed of via a wood chipper - all over gobs of money... Juxtaposed against human grumpiness about two cents.

Re: Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

Risselada — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:26:31 GMT

Good topic. When I first saw the subject I was thinking specifically of movies that brought physical tears to my eyes, but after making it broader with any scene that "tears at your heart" it may be more difficult for me to make a list. I think I'll still try to start with moments that actually did elicit real tears, and look around for other criteria if I run out of options.

1. 12 Angry Men - the scene where the final juror, Juror #3 played by Lee J. Cobb, finally breaks down and votes "not-guilty". I put this movie in to play once when I was working at a video store. Maybe a bad idea. I was supposed to be acting professional but was almost breaking down when that part came on, even though I wasn't even really watching it. I just remembered it and could hear it enough for it to affect me. When he rips up the picture of his son, and realizes what he's doing. Oh MY! I'm actually crying right now!

2. Rashomon - Near the end in the overarching scene in the rain at the temple gates (or whatever they are), when they find the baby and the Woodcutter decides to take him home. Wow, that's tearjerking!

3. The Seventh Seal - almost every other scene really.

4. Diary of a Country Priest - The very end of the movie when he dies and realizes that the one small encounter with that woman may have validated all of his efforts.

5. Withnail & I - sometimes before you can really cry with a character you need to really laugh with a character. Laugh with, laugh at, be frightened with, and all the other emotions too. The final scene with the Shakespeare recitation in the rain always gets me.

Some sentimental tearjerkers. I know you mentioned to avoid those that were overly sentimental. Maybe you won't even think these apply. But here are a few that I consider manipulative, but have enough quality and truth to them to make up for it.

- It's a Wonderful Life - LOTS of scenes, but especially at the end when everyone shows up to pitch in some money.

- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - At the end when Senator Paine breaks down and admits the truth!

- The Shawshank Redemption - Again, the final scene of the movie, on the beach. I think some scenes in The Green Mile may apply as well.

And for movies that cause me to weep due to pure beauty of construction, the final scene in the cemetery in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. As my favorite movie I think I have to name it in as many categories as possible.

So what makes a scene a good tearjerker? Being at the end of a movie, being in B&W, having rain, a character having some kind of breakdown or epiphany, or some combination of these elements. THANK YOU!

Top 5 Tear Jerking Scenes

tmoney — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:10:11 GMT

I love movies that beg you to feel something without being sentimental (i'm talking to you steel magnolias, love actually). okay just admit, even if they don't make you "cry" what are some of the scenes that tear at your heart? Here are mine...

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - at the end, they are sitting on the beach, about to have their last memories or eachother erased. Clementine, "So what do we do now?" Joel, "Just... enjoy it". this scene rips my heart out every time i see it.

2. In America - when their neighbor dies and the baby is given life.

3. The Bicycle Thief - in the end when he is humiliated in front of his son.

4. The New World - after pocahontas marries john rolfe, and she is looking out the window, and her v.o. says, "take out the thorn". Just a beautiful scene

5. Magnolia - the scene where tom cruise is being interviewed, and he slowly breaks down. Reporter, "what are you doing?" Tom, "i'm silently judging you." This is a real break through in his character when he is finally showing he is human.