Oh man. This could be a long list. But I think the award for strangest movie that makes me cry -- and not just choke up, mind you, but out-and-out bawl -- has to go to A Man for All Seasons.

Really, I don't understand it. The production value is so laughably late-60s, and it doesn't have the swelling music or soft-focus camera work that accompanies your standard weepfests, but when Sir Thomas lets loose at the end of his trial, or when his daughter visits him in jail...ugh, it's all over for me.

Field of Dreams, right at the end:

"Hey, Dad--wanna play catch?"

If you can keep a dry eye when John Wayne dies in The Cowboys....you are a mean soul! We have to do a family-emotion-check before we watch this one!

Your mention of a death scene, Beth, made me think of the ending of "The Champ." That's a two-box soaker.

Okay....one more....My Dog Skip....be ready to hold each one of your kids as they sob!

"Field of Dreams," big time! Trolley Car song in "Meet Me in St. Louis," don't ask me why. Trial scene in "A Man for All Seasons," maybe more chills than tears. The final scene in "An Affair to Remember," how can anyone resist? Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig making his goodbye speech at Yankee Stadium in "Pride of the Yankees," wow! "Where is Love" song/scene from "Oliver," boy, that really gives me away as a sentimentalist. When Shadow, the dog, jumps into the arms of the boy in "Homeward Bound," it doesn't get any better than that in the land of American myth-making.

Worst emotional manipulation happens to me during "Extreme Makeover Home Addition." No matter what part of the episode I tune in to, I'm regrettably hooked, even if the show's about to end and I know nothing of the backstory. I'm brought to tears when Ty yells "Move that Bus!" to reveal a family sobbing, embracing each other, elated by the conviction that their lives will be 100% better now that they have the perfectly furnished and spacious house. I'm ridiculous.

For movies - Beaches. Sometimes, when I just need to cry I will pop that movie in and sob.

Top Gun. Seriously, who didn't cry when Goose died?

Saving Private Ryan. That last line "Tell me I am a good man." = SOBS

Good Will Hunting. I know it is manipulative pap. I don't care.

I will also agree with 'Extreme Makeover Home Edition'. We actually call that 'the crying show' in our house.

"Who cried when Old Yeller got shot at the end? Nobody cried when Old Yeller got shot? I’m sure. I cried my eyes out!"
~ Bill Murray

I have to echo one of Deal's picks - Homeward Bound. And not just that last scene where Shadow runs to Peter, but earlier on where Chance is gazing, awestruck at his mentor sitting there in the moonlight, reminding him of "the First Dog".

"A Walk to Remember" - true chick flick, but gets me every time.

Every other episode of "Little House on the Prarie" seems capable of causing tears, too.

The final scenes of "The Return of the King" do it, too, but that's largely because of Enya.

Jason, the closing credits song from RoTK was sung by Annie Lennox, not Enya. Great tune.

For emotional manipulation, though, I'd put the Boromir death scene from "Fellowship" first. The first time I saw it, it took some time for me to become conscious that I'd been holding my breath, and making nailmarks in the arm rests.

How about the scene where Pippin sings "Edge of Night" during the ill-fated charge on Osgiliath?

Damn you, Peter Jackson!

It would take too long for me to recount all the films that have caused me to "moisten up." And I'm pretty sure my macho image couldn't sustain the damage. So, I'll just throw out a couple of options. (Might add that Todd already stole one of my top 5 with his mention of Chariots of Fire...though I must admit that it's the Sma Glen sequence that really gets to me.)

This Is My Church - On the Waterfront
I love this scene (and the character of Father Barry) so much, it is the basis for my entire online persona. Fabulous monologue, fabulous performance, fabulous character. Gets me every time.

Finale - Bicycle Thieves
This one is almost certainly because my eldest son is almost exactly the same age as Bruno, and I live in constant, fearful anticipation of the time when he will see me for the flawed father I am...and in prayerful hope that he will respond like Bruno does.

Unexpected Honesty - Unbreakable
The scene where David Dunn reveals to his wife that he has not been unfaithful is definitely part of my "weep list." It's not the most dramatic thing in the film; in fact, it's very subdued. But the way she responds to his answer is incredibly moving. She adamantly maintains that she's prepared for his answer, but she was (in fact) only prepared for what she thought he would say. The most telling step on their road to matrimonial recovery.

Superman! - The Iron Giant
OK, OK. I realize there's really no way to get my virility back if a cartoon makes me cry, but...it does.

Braveheart for sure! At the end with the bag pipes going and the crying Princesses and the head chopping and the Kings dying and the "Freeeeeedoooommmmm" going on - it's all too much!

I'm a loser, Todd. Tu as raison about Annie Lennox, and if I'd thought for half a moment before hitting "submit", I'd have realized it. Enya sang that creepy "Gollum Song" at the end of "Two Towers".

I was reflecting on Boromir's death scene and it never took hold of me like that. I was actually more moved by the scene of the 4 hobbits at The Green Dragon, toasting one another amidst the blissfully ignorant revelry around them. Cognizant of their sacrifices, knowing that the "home" they saved will never be the same for them again.

Margaret, you shouldn't say such things. Peter Jackson is the master! Master wouldn't hurt us!

Father Barry, I agree that little moment from "Unbreakable" is very powerful -- Robin Wright really pulls it off.

Several moments in that film give me a little shiver, including: when Bruce Willis subdues the criminal who's bouncing him off the walls (his charism as a hero/father is not to punch out the bad guys but to endure with patience and fortitude what they throw at him); and when at the breakfast table he nods to his son that he is, indeed, the superhero the son thought he was.

I'm getting goose-bumps just thinking about it!

Sorry to be, uh, fashionably late. Hope there aren't too many movies here.

At the theater, I started weeping within about 30 seconds of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. My eyes dried only when I left the theater two hours later. Even now, the scene with Father Christmas always gets me.

In The Passion of the Christ, there's a scene where Mary runs to Jesus, juxtaposed with a flashback where she had run to the child Jesus when he fell and skinned his knee. I always know it's coming, but I can't help crying.

Certainly the musical Camelot (a recorded stage play, not the movie) has many tearful moments, especially those dealing with Lancelot and Guinevere.

Lord of the Rings is also full of these moments, especially The Two Towers (for me personally).

Perhaps the oddest tearful moment, though, is at the end of Muppet Treasure Island. Tim Curry plays Long John Silver, and at the end, he has a confrontation with Jim Hawkins that is just too emotionally wrenching to belong in a Muppets movie. How embarrassing.

It's a Wonderful Life: the end, when George's friends come into his home with smiles on their faces, remembering all that he's done for them over the years. Also, earlier in the movie when he tells Potter to take his job offer and well...keep it.

The Mission: When the Indian cuts Rodrigo Mendoza's ropes loose, and the latter realizes that he's just been released and forgiven by those he used to help enslave.

Braveheart: The very end, with the Scottish Army waiting to see what Robert the Bruce will do. After the Bruce pledges to fight for freedom, Wallace's friend Hamish throws his sword a country mile.

Just a few....

I just watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with my kids last month. Yes, the final scene where George realizes how rich he is (now that he's got thousands in petty cash, plus an open line of credit from Sam Wainright) got me weepy.

A little-known B movie is "Sawdust Memories", and the scene where Phil (the hero) meets the daughter he never knew he had - very moving.

"Glory", where Denzel Washington is whipped for "desertion".

Any discussion of great tear-jerking movie moments would be remiss without mention of something "Indiana Jones." In "The Last Crusade," when it appears that Indy has fallen to his death, but, instead appears from behind his father, and Sean Connery hugs him and says, "I thought I lost you, boy..." - the look on Harrison Ford's face is like that of an 8-year-old - total peace!

Another brilliant one, to be sure. Such a small brushstroke, but it has such a profound impact on the overall picture. (Course, there are a lot of those in the film. I have a hard time picking just one...)

And "Chagrined" Jason: the song at the end of Two Towers (the Gollumn song) is sung by Emiliana Torrini. Enya sings May It Be at the end of Fellowship.

This list made me laugh -- not derisively: with relief. To every movie (or TV show) listed above, I just say "Oh yeah." I also cry at Hallmark commercials. It has been said (by "Father Barry", incidentally) that I "wept openly" watching Spitfire Grill with his wife. (I...er, can't deny this.)

Essentially, any movie about the loss of a loved one, especially the loss of a parent or child, is just about too much for me. I had to walk out of a public showing of "Fiddler on the Roof" at the scene where the youngest daughter stands alone in the barren field and calls out to her father's retreating form, begging him to acknowledge her. GAH.

from the family....
--The Education of Little Tree--not one dry eye in the whole family--guarantee!
--Dances w/Wolves---okay, yeah, I know, but...when the indian yells from the mountain to Dances W/Wolves..."Do you know that you will always be my friend!!!"
--Sounder.....
--Heidi
--Babe
and from my husband, Rocky!...Adrianne!!!!!

We're popping the popcorn now.

Beth, I'm just a tad embarrassed to admit that when I first saw "Dances With Wolves" as a college student, the "I will always be your friend" bit moistened me up pretty good, too. These days that movie no longer retains such a hold over me (in fact, I officially dislike it), but there it was.

In fact, that black hole of emotion also known as Kevin Costner pretty much sucks the life out of "Field of Dreams" for me too.

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy!

Radio


okay, we cry at a lot of movies!

Can everyone simply agree that the excruciating scenes in "Passion" simply go beyond any other film's capacity for emotional outpouring? The scenes with Our Lady as an eyewitness to Our Lord's torture and mockery- I would say that this film is not really a film it is a spiritual exercise- the Stations of the Cross put right up to your face -if "Passion" doesn't make you want to burst out in tears at several points, I have to wonder if you even have a soul.

For me, any film, tv program or news story that depicts or describes children suffering/dying/being harmed or killed- especially little girls- since I have two precious young daughters- it just slays me every time. I've told my wife that I am done with any tv drama or movie that features children being murdered or abused sexually or otherwise- it is just too exploitive of any decent parent, targeting our back-of-the-mind constant nightmare. I can't learn anything from such exposure, it is a writer's shortcut to depict children being hurt or killed, I'm already paranoid about my childrens' safety and health- why would I want to 'escape' into a work of art that destroys me emotionally everytime? If it is a true story it may have value if I can do something to stop the suffering of other children, but for fictional purposes- I'm really avoiding the unnecessary emotional torture- my own kids getting sick is enough torture for my soul- why be tortured by good acting and interesting plot devices- real life is hard enough to bear thank you very much.

Todd,

I could have written that paragraph myself.

--Eric

Finally, something I can agree with you on

W.,

I knew if I just kept commenting on everything eventually we would be able to join hands in a Kumba Ya moment!

There are a number of good films referenced, however I don't believe I saw one of my favorites - "Life is Beautiful," Roberto Benigni's moving movie where he uses a great imagination and sense of humor to help sustain / save his son in a Nazi concentration camp.

This movie brought out a range of emotions and, as a father, I thought showed just how far a dad is willing to go for his son. "Beautiful" is an appropriate description for this meaningful film.

There are a number of good films referenced, however I don't believe I saw one of my favorites - "Life is Beautiful," Roberto Benigni's moving movie where he uses a great imagination and sense of humor to help sustain / save his son in a Nazi concentration camp.

This movie brought out a range of emotions and, as a father, I thought showed just how far a dad is willing to go for his son. "Beautiful" is an appropriate description for this meaningful film.

Ditto's for the recommendation of "My Dog Skip". Anyone who has ever loved a pet will be moved to tears at the last scene: the white-faced old dog, crippled with arthritis, his eyes ever hopeful to see his master once more. In the words of Bill Murray "Ouch, babe"...

Well, I'm really late on this one, but I'm surprised that no one has mentioned The Lives of Others. The very last scene--in which the main character, the former Stasi agent, is in the bookstore--makes me cry every time. It's an incredibly moving moment.

Scary!

As it happens, I caught the end of "Dances" this weekend. Very plaintive and touching, still, but my immunity held.