Film/NS/Tear Jerker: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnK_mW4bG5Y&feature=related The BBC version], however, [[Narm|is a completely different story]]. The buildup is sad, but the death sequence is ruined by [[Large Ham|The White Witch's acting.]]

*** And the....shall we say, less than stellar animation.

** What about Eustace's goodbye to Reepicheep? Considering the development their relationship has had throughout the movie, that scene was heartwrenching.

* ''[[Nell]]'', as you learn to listen to the gibberish -- it becomes actual speech. The real reason she talks that way, and ''what'' she is saying. {{spoiler|It was a twin sister -- who had been dead for years, ''and she was still interacting with her as though she were right there''.}} And never mind the Natasha Richardson/ [[Liam Neeson]] chemistry.

** When the rockbiter is describing being unable to hold onto his friends and keep them from being pulled into The Nothing. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0VxGRWPh28 "They look like big, strong hands, don't they?"]

** The sinking of Artax, half [[Tear Jerker]], half [[Nightmare Fuel]]. So much worse when you find out that in the making of the film the horse actually died due to melted machinery!

* All of ''Okuribito'' (Departures); it's about a guy who learns how to clean, dress, and make up bodies for burial, ''in front of their families''. Naturally, the biggest tear jerker comes at the end when {{spoiler|Daigo claims the body of his long-[[Disappeared Dad]] and finally remembers his face.}}

* ''Oldboy'': {{spoiler|Lee Woo-Jin's flashback of his sister's suicide.}}

** [http://garfield.nfshost.com/1983/04/25/ Not everyone] shares your opinion.

* ''[[Om Natten]]'' (At Night), a short Danish film nominated for the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film: It depicts the lives of three young women living with cancer. One of them is about to undergo a risky procedure that will either save her or kill her. She breaks down in front of her father, saying she doesn't want to go through with it, and she's sorry she can't be stronger or brave like he wants her to.

** The famous "crane-on-a-crane" shot at the station when Jill arrives at Flagstone. Ennio Morricone flexes his italano melodrama muscles, and your eyes get a bit misty. Mr. Morricone hits a homerun once again at the end of the movie, when it's revealed that {{spoiler|Harmonica's brother was hanged by Frank}} in an horrifically psychopathic manner.

** The death of {{spoiler|Cheyenne.}} The fact that he kept his composure the entire time he was with {{spoiler|Jill}} and doesn't break it until she's out of sight, and that he tells {{spoiler|Harmonica}} to go away so that he can [[Dying Alone|die alone]] is really gut-wrenching.

** When {{spoiler|Laura had died, gotten her son back, and suddenly all the dead kids are around her, and the little girl walks up to her and says something like "It's Laura! She's gotten just as old as Wendy in the stories!"}}

** What about ''the father''?! He has to deal with his son disappearing and his wife going crazy, and in the end {{spoiler|they both wind up dead}}.

* The movie version of ''The Painted Veil''. How Walter and Kitty were really just getting to know each other after TWO YEARS of being unhappily married and finding out that they really, truly could be happy together.

''[[The Notebook]]'' is slightly more cheerful by comparison (because at least Ali and Noah got to spend their lives together).

* At the end of the 2003 version of ''[[Peter Pan]]'' with Aunt Millicent. "Then I... am your mother".

** Then there's Mr. Darling trying to contain his immense relief that his children are okay in the end and tries to act formal, only shaking John's hand... which backfires in them hugging each other in tears.

** Also, Roger and Mary fighting about {{spoiler|what happened the night of the death of one of their twin sons}} and the last scene when Peter reveals that {{spoiler|he's HIV-positive.}} God-damn it, Stephen Fry...

* ''[[Pet Sematary]]''

** This even extends to the end credits, with the new song "Learn to be Lonely."

** "''It's over now, the Music of the Night''..."

* ''[[The Pianist]]''. This movie is visually stunning, and hits home several times.

* ''[[The Piano]]''. The scene with the axe.

* The BBC documentary "The Pink Floyd And Syd Barrett Story", of all movies. When they played "Shine On, You Crazy Diamond" at the end they very nearly had me in tears...

* The final church scene in ''Places in the Heart''.

* ''[[The Polar Express]]''

** The scene where the boy tries to believe so he can hear the beautiful bell's sound, where he finally sees Santa Claus, when he gets chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas, when he loses the bell and subsequently regains it, and when the epilogue reveals that only he can hear the bell's "sweet, sweet sound", as can those who truly believe.

* ''[[Prayers for Bobby]]'': No matter what your opinion on the film's controversial theme, the Griffith family's heart-wrenching devastation to the news that {{spoiler|Bobby committed suicide}} has got to have a lasting impact for any viewer.

* ''[[The Prestige]]''... the [[People Jars]], Borden's adorable daughter who looks like something out of an American Girl doll catalogue, {{spoiler|the awkward brotherly moments, Borden ready to be hanged, the deaths of the two guys' respective wives... 'Which knot did you tie?'...}} BUT MOST OF ALL, THE BIRDS. They make very clear that {{spoiler|when they look like they've just crushed a poor innocent canary? They have.}}

* A documentary called ''Promises''. It was about a group of Palestinian and Israeli children, who are brought together and become friends through the film. Many of them change their entire views on the whole situation. At the end, the filmmakers bring them back together many years later, as young adults. {{spoiler|One of the Israeli boys was in the military and wasn't allowed to participate. A few other children from different sides refused. One girl expressed interest in becoming a suicide bomber. Many of them think it was all a mistake.}} There's a scene where one kid, who really misses having been friends with the others, dissolves into tears. Many of my classmates did, too.

* Both of the scenes in ''[[The Proposition]]'' that involve Sam singing "Peggy Gordon", an old Irish drinking song. The first time is {{spoiler|intercut with a scene of Mikey, a mentally-handicapped teenager, being brutally flogged}}. The second time he sings it, {{spoiler|he's raping [[Emily Watson]]'s character}}. There's also something sad about watching {{spoiler|[[Alas, Poor Villain|Arthur die, even if he deserves it]]}}.

* ''[[Rabbit Proof Fence]]'': Molly and Daisy finally make it home but [[Bittersweet Ending|Gracie didn't]]. Molly apologizing to her grandmother for having lost her is so heartbreaking.

*** [http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj8_ZBeb-2E Brian Tyler's musical motif "Battle Adagio." It would take one with a heart of stone to not get teary eyed to this theme.]

* ''[[Rango]]'' has one in Rango's [[Heroic BSOD]], after Rattlesnake Jake calls him out on his tall tales and runs him out of town. He wanders alone across the desert night with a lost and forlorn look on his face, until he gets to the highway. Rango finds his [[Companion Cube|imaginary friends]], then sits there watching the traffic for a bit before finally saying to himself "[[Arc Words|Who am I?]] ...I'm nobody."

* ''[[Reign Over Me]]'', featuring an amazing dramatic performance by Adam Sandler

** When the lawyer {{spoiler|showed Charlie the photo of his dead family. It felt really good when the judge (Donald Sutherland) tells him point-blank to shut up.}}

** "Didn't Know I'd Love You So Much".

** "Cromaggia". It may have been Blind Mag's [[Awesome Moment]], but it's a gut-wrenching one.

* ''[[Reservoir Dogs]]''. It doesn't really incite tears, but the sadness at the tragic conclusion lingers for days. There are also scenes earlier in the film showcasing Mr Orange's agony and terror and Mr White's attempts to comfort him that really tug at the heartstrings.

* ''[[Return of the Living Dead]]'' has the scene where Frank, upon realizing that his time was coming because of Trioxin, walks to a burning oven, kisses his wedding ring, hangs it on a switch, offers a final prayer to the Lord for forgiveness for what he's about to do, climbs into the oven, and shuts himself in. The scene makes even the background music (titled "Burn the Flames", for those wondering) sound poignant.

** This troper couldn't feel anything for the Rocky-sequels, but teared up at the end of the first one. {{spoiler|All he wanted all along was to "go the distance" and not get KO'd. So he doesn't even want to know if he has won. When the points are read all he does is search for "ADRIAAAAN!"}}

* ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show]]'': Rocky's anguished scream after {{spoiler|Frank is killed}}. Which is followed by {{spoiler|Rocky's own death. Frank's death was pitiable, but he had it coming. But ''Rocky''}}!

* {{spoiler|Richie's suicide attempt}} in ''[[The Royal Tenenbaums]]'' always leads to tears. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pyBB7y8fDU Beautifully shot,] and especially painful considering the haunting Elliott Smith song (and the implications that go along with it).

** Oh my god yes. And also {{spoiler|Royal's death, with Chas holding his hand in his final moments, after they have finally bonded.}}

* The end of ''[[A Series of Unfortunate Events]]'' when the orphans get the letter from their parents. The music that's playing while she reads it, and the terrible burned up background doesn't help.

{{quote| "Dearest children - since we've been abroad we have missed you all so much. Certain events have compelled us to extend our travels. One day, when you're older, you will learn all about the people we have befriended and the dangers we have faced. At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say that there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may, in fact, be the first steps of a journey. We hope to have you back in our arms soon, darlings, but in case this letter arrives before our return, know that we love you. It fills us with pride to know that no matter what happens in this life, that you three will take care of each other, with kindness and bravery and selflessness, as you always have. And remember one thing, my darlings, and never forget it: that no matter where we are, know that as long as you have each other, you have your family. And you are home."}}

** The "One Little Star" song. "One little star, in the darkening blue, do you long for another, just the way that I do?"

* The ending to ''[[Seven Pounds]]''. While the movie was pretty emotional overall, the saddest part was at the end when Will Smith's character {{spoiler|kills himself so that his love interest can have his heart and live}}.

* The end of ''[[Shiri]]'': {{spoiler|Hee's death is tear jerking, but the clincher is when Yu went to meet the real Myung-hyun in the mental institution}}. The beginning of the movie was no emotional picnic either.

* John Cameron Mitchel's ''[[Shortbus]]'' may be famous for featuring explicit, non-simulated sex but good god it's an incredible emotional release. The entire ending sequence is a [[Heartwarming Moment]], [[Awesome Music]], and pure catharsis are rolled into one. They're happy tears, to be sure, but oh there's always a lot of them.

* ''[[Silent Running]]''. The ending... just the ''goddamned ending''... *sob*

* ''[[Sin City]]''. Specifically "The Hard Goodbye". Frank Miller's work is often criticized for a lack of humanity, of being filled with lousy people in a lousy town, and Sin City is built around that. However, the story of Marv fighting to avenge the death of the one woman named Goldie who gave him some love is very touching. Over the course of the story, Marv kills countless people, tortures many of them and kills one of the most powerful men in town. And he enjoys it. Given his violent tendencies and the comment that he'd be right at home on an ancient battlefield killing people, its possible to think that he's simply using Goldie's death to have some fun. But then, {{spoiler|he is almost killed and is sentenced to death. Hours before his execution, he gets his only visitor in 18 months. It's Goldie's twin sister, Wendy, who aided Marv in the killings. But Marv has a mental illness and he gets confused. So when Wendy walks in the door, he thinks it's Goldie, and he says "I got them for you good, didn't I Goldie?". We are instantly reminded that he gave his life to avenge this one woman who he only knew for a couple hours. Cue the Manly Tears. Then he apologizes and says "Sorry, I got confused again." What does Wendy say? "You can call me Goldie." She spends the night with him. }} Two Tearjerkers in 30 seconds at the very end of the first story of what's seen as one of the most nihilistic, violent and heartless mainstream comics around.

Lynn Sear: Do... Do I make her proud? }}

* The 2005 version of ''[[War of the Worlds]]''. The characters are making their way through a valley, along with a few hundred other refugees. A fairly substantial group of soldiers trying to hold back the tripods tripods closing in on them while the refugees pass, despite the fact that their weapons do nothing. {{spoiler|So they CHARGE}}.

* The entirety of ''Snoopy Come Home''. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jldngb69BTc Case in childhood trauma point]. The cold cereal is the clincher. It's one those Schulz touches that's too irrevocably human to bear.

* In ''Snow Cake'', when Alex breaks down feeling guilty about Vivienne's death. {{spoiler|Made even worse when you realise that it's not the first time he lost a would-be friend in a car crash. His son was killed ''before he could even meet him''. That time, he was so angry, he went to the driver's home and hit him. And accidentally killed him.}}

** The hallway scene in the house in Palo Alto. ''That one line''. [[Award Snub|Jesse Eisenberg was robbed.]]

{{quote| "I- I want– I need you. Out here. Please don't tell him I said that."}}

* The [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7U4EQXFMBE scene where Sol "goes home"] in ''[[Soylent Green]]'' is this on many levels. When Sol realizes what he must to do expose the [[It Was His Sled|terrible secret of Soylent Green]], Thorn tries to stop him but finds out too late so all he can do is watch as his closest and best friend dies. Sol is also one of the few characters old enough to remember the Earth when it was still full of natural beauty. The beautiful nature footage he is shown before his death, set to classical music, deeply moves both characters (Sol: "I told you." Thorn: "How could I know? How could I ever imagine?") and drives home the film's environmental message. Finally there's the [[Reality Subtext]] that Edward G. Robinson (Sol) was dying in real life and the only other person on the film who knew was [[Charlton Heston]] (Thorn), who cried real tears during that scene.

* The end of ''[[Spartacus]]'' is a Tearjerker, a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]], and a [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming]] all rolled into one. Spartacus' large army of slaves is captured by the Roman army, who declare that they all face crucifixion unless anyone will identify which of them is Spartacus. Spartacus starts to stand up to give himself up and spare his people, when the two people to either side of him stand and both declare that [[I Am Spartacus|they are Spartacus]]. Following that, every single person stands up one by one and shouts "I'm Spartacus!" A single tear falls down Spartacus' cheek as he sees just how devoted to him his men are.

** "He will know who his father is. Because I'll tell him!" (You know it's a good movie when a [[Yaoi Fangirl]] cries for the straight couple).

* Toward the end of ''[[Speak]]'' (the Film of the Book), when Melinda shows Mr. Freeman all of the tree paintings/projects she's done in the old janitor's closet.

* ''Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron''. "Sound the Bugle". That is all.

* ''Stage Door''. The impetus for Katharine Hepburn's magnificent performance in the play.

* ''[[The Ark of Truth|Stargate: The Ark of Truth]]''. Daniel, lying on the floor of his cell in agony from recent torture, ''begs'' Morgan to help them, practically breaking down.

*** When Riker recalled the first time he and Data had met: in a holodeck, with Data trying in vain to whistle. The heartbreaking bit, though, was that Riker just couldn't remember what song it was Data had been humming... The audience'' knew, and several of them started whistling it right then and there.

*** And just to make it worse: B4, trying to sing "Blue Skies" - with some help from Picard. (Brent Spiner is a freaking ''genius''.)

{{quote| '''Kirk:''' Of all the souls I encountered over the years, his was the most... * voice cracks* ...human.}}

*** Kirk racing desperately through the ''Enterprise'' to get to his friend -- and then McCoy, Scotty, ''and'' someone else having to use all their strength to keep him from going in there himself.

'''Kirk''': And you've restored my son's. }}

*** The last scenes are also very sad, and much more so to those who have watched the entire original series and the rest of the films. Enterprise is about to be decommissioned, meaning that it is the final voyage of Kirk and his crew, and the end of an era. The fact that they also decide to 'take their time' in getting back to Earth also makes this a [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming]].

** The first ten minutes of the new ''Star Trek'' movie, where {{spoiler|new daddy Kirk makes an epic [[Heroic Sacrifice]] to save his wife and the rest of the escaping ''Kelvin'' crew}}.

*** Kirk and old Spock were in the cave {{spoiler|talking about the existence where Spock came from and where Kirk knew his father}}.

** "I have been, and always shall be, your friend."

** {{spoiler|Spock Prime: As he was helpless to save his planet, I would be helpless to save mine. *shot of him staring up into the sky with heart-broken expression* Billions of lives lost, because of me, Jim. Because, I failed.}}

{{quote| '''Kirk:''' It was the least I could do... for the captain of the Enterprise. [[Go Out with a Smile|It was... ''fun''.]] Oh my...}}

* The ending of ''[[Straight Story]]'' - {{spoiler|two brothers finally meet. The viewer cries.}}.

* ''[[Sunset Boulevard]]'' makes you feel really horrible for Norma. And it was a true story, since that was what had happened to Gloria Swanson, who played the role.

** She got ditched by the industry, yes, but happily she didn't go nuts over it.

** When Capa {{spoiler|ends up in the Payload chamber heading for the sun, Capa finds Cassie slumped on the floor. There's this beautiful, gentle moment between them where he tells her they're flying into the sun}}.

** When {{spoiler|Capa blasts across the void of space to reach the door to the payload.}} The music, accompanied by the close-up of Capa screaming, and the visual itself, is tear jerking.

** [[Tear Jerker]] and [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]]: the end of the Fortress of Solitude sequence which features the strongest images of Jor-El as "God", John Williams' wonderful music, and the hopeful, uplifting monologue: "They can be a great people, Kal-El -- they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. It is for this reason above all, their capacity for good, that I have sent them you ... my only son." Then Jor-El's smiling face becomes a mask, which slips onto Superman's face -- the son becoming the father. And then John Williams finishes it off with a triumphant clarion call on horns to Superman's theme: DAAAA-DA-DA-DA-DAAAAAAAAHHH ... DAAAH DAAAH DAAAH ... as Superman flies for the first time in the costume.

** In the Richard Donner cut of Superman II, when {{spoiler|Kal-El returns to the Fortress of Solitude powerless and encounters the image of his father -- who had predicted his choice to become human. The subsequent sacrifice of the final remaining essence of Jor-El (thus fulfilling the prophecy "The father becomes the son; and the son, the father")}} is wrenching.

** They didn't. [[Nightmare Fuel|"No, Anthony, they never go away."]]

** {{spoiler|It's very easy to read Sweeney's movements while Toby is sneaking up behind him as baring his throat for the blade; which is worse; that he is killed after murdering the wife he has lived through hell to see again, or that he is so completely crushed he ''wants'' it?}}

* ''[[Sympathy for Lady Vengeance]]'', when miss Geum-Ja starts scoffing cake. This does not sound like a tear jerking moment, but with that plot, and that shot, and that music... Oh dear.

** While we're talking of Park Chan-Wook's films, the final scene in ''[[Im A Cyborg]]''.

 

{{reflist}}