Here are a few films that got me a bit teary eyed.
When it comes to movie scenes many invoke an emotional response but it is rare for me to watch a film and be brought to tears. The experience is different for everyone when it comes to emotional reactions. Some films find a way to connect to someone on a more personal level while others find that connection through a broader but less intense means. The films I have chosen found a way to reach me on a personal level or just catch me off guard. If you have not seen these films, beware that there are spoilers below and if you read through, feel free to share films that you had a similar experience with.
5. Up – Ellie and Carl’s relationship timeline
Pixar has a surprising track record for invoking an emotional response to animated characters. But while “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo,” and even “Wall-E” have their moments, nothing is as powerful as the opening scene of “Up.”
It catches you off guard by opening with a love story filled with promise and aspirations. While you’re being taken up (pun intended), emotions are brought into a downward spiral as this happy marriage doesn’t go as planned. Little things that we all deal with like repairs and bills prevent them from taking that one big adventure they had been saving for their entire lives.
As emotions are moving progressively down the trail of sadness and you think you’re at your bottom, it suddenly gets worse. Carl realizes that they never took that trip so he decides to surprise Ellie and buys the tickets. He takes her on a picnic at the top of a hill and as they’re walking, she has a heart attack. His last moments with her are spent by her hospital bed, leaving with the regret that he never fulfilled that one dream they had.
It’s not just the death that brings on the emotions in “Up,” but more so the regret. Despite having a long and loving relationship, they put other things ahead of their love and realized it just a bit too late. Death may sting quite a bit but the burden of regret can hurt even worse. That’s what makes this scene in “Up” so devastating.
4. Field of Dreams – “Hey Dad…You wanna have a catch?”
I’m not a sports guy but there is something poetic about the game of baseball and its history. Many see “Field of Dreams” as a baseball movie but baseball is just a catalyst for Ray’s (Kevin Costner) journey of self discovery.
Throughout the film we hear about his resentment towards his deceased father and his father’s obsession with the game of baseball. Towards the end of this journey we start to see these negative feelings fall away from Ray finally ending with the reconciliation with his father that he never had. Meeting the spirit of his father’s younger self, he comes to an understanding of why his father loved the game so much without this version of his father knowing who Ray is in relation. Finally as John (Ray’s father) is walking towards the field Ray refers to him as Dad and asks to play a game of catch.
I still tear up at this moment and it’s because of everything it represents. The iconic game of catch between a father and son is a physical representation of bonding. Ray, who hates baseball, finds his peace through this simple game and reestablishes that connection with his father that he thought he lost. His initial hatred of baseball represented his hatred of his father but when he asks for that game of catch, it shows that he finally let that hate go. It was a beautiful ending for a film and a fluid metaphor for mending a relationship.
Click to the Next Page for the final 3!
3. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – “The last issue…”
Ben Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty has become a favorite of mine. While the film itself is an emotional journey, the final scene is a surprise that culminates that journey into an emotional release.
Walter was an average guy with aspirations for something greater. In an instance, he finds that greater he’s been longing for becoming a guiding light for all of us trapped in the routine of life. The journey itself is inspirational but the reveal of a photo he’s been searching for is an emotional punch to the gut.
While Walter thought his position at Life Magazine was insignificant, the final photo proved quite the opposite. It was not a photo of a “ghost cat” or some iconic moment in history, but instead a photo of Walter himself selecting a photo for the magazine.
What got to me at this moment was what the photo said about Walter’s life before his adventure. While Walter took a great journey throughout the film, unbeknownst to him, he was already doing something amazing. This is what most of us want, just to be appreciated. And Walter being appreciated by just one person (the right person) put him on the cover of the magazine’s final issue so the world knew who he was and how important he was.
2. 50/50 – “Mom…”
I’ve said many times that “50/50” is a film that didn’t get its fair share of recognition and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s performance is a testament to that. While the film does have its moments of comedy, overall the drama weighs heavily on the film, especially towards the end.
Just before Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is being taken into surgery, a culmination of emotions seem to hit him all at once. Love, fear, and despair all overcome him as he loses his composure and breaks down into tears mumbling for his mother.
What got me with this scene was how genuine and real it felt. Throughout the film Adam complains about how overbearing his mother is due to her insistence of taking care of him. His continued battle with cancer seems to take little toll on his beliefs until reality sets in all at once. Feeling lost and defeated, he calls out to this person he has taken for granted the entire film and everything he is feeling seems to just permeate through the screen. The film is amazing overall but this moment in particular is what pops the balloon of emotion that’s been building throughout.
1. Marley & Me – “…we couldn’t find a better dog…”
It may be a film intended to invoke emotions but that doesn’t mean that “Marley & Me” isn’t effective at doing so. The entire film revolves around what a troublesome but lovable dog Marley is up until his final moments.
At the end of the movie, John (Owen Wilson) takes Marley to the vet to be put down due to Marley’s suffering. As the vet is administering the IV, John comforts him recounting their life together. Despite the trouble they had with Marley, John tells him to not believe any of the negativity. Aside from the mischief, John focuses on the fact that Marley loved them every day regardless of how they felt about him at the moment. And for that reason John tells Marley the they “couldn’t find a better dog” and that he loves him.
Everyone has their moments of emotional impact but if you can get through this scene without feeling anything then I would question if you had a heart. Going through the loss of a dog myself and raising two more puts this scene a little too close to home for me. The scene carries so much emotional weight that I actually refuse to watch this movie whenever it’s on TV. For those who aren’t animal lovers or pet owners, it may be difficult to understand the loss of a pet. But for those that recognize their pets as members of the family like I do, then this scene will surely tear you up inside.