In a few weeks,?The Perks of Being a Wallflower?will arrive in theatres. The film, based on the novel of the same name, charts the exploits of an introverted boy’s first year of high school. If the trailers are anything to go by, I will be an emotional wreck by the end of the movie. I’m planning on clearing my schedule for a couple of days after I see it; as I think it will take me a while to?recuperate.
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated event. There are several films that make me, and those closest to me, cry until our faces are puffier than Ren?e Zellweger’s. If you’re a bit of a masochist, or just fancy a bit of a cry, here are seven movies that are sure to get the tears flowing:
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD. DON’T COME CRYING TO ME IF YOU READ SOMETHING YOU DON’T WANT TO
?The Fox and the Hound
Plot:?An unlikely friendship occurs between a puppy, Cooper, and an orphaned fox named Tod. However, the two grow apart when Cooper reaches adulthood and is used as a hunting dog.
Boohoo moment:?When Tod reaches adulthood, he is taken back into the forrest and left there by his owner. It’s heartbreaking.
Finding Neverland
Plot:?Based on a true story, a struggling playwright – played by Johnny Depp – befriends a single mother and her young children. His relationship with the family inspires him to write his most famous work,?Peter Pan.
Boohoo moment:?When their mother falls ill, and cannot make it to the theatre for the opening of the show, the children put on a performance of?Peter Pan?in her bedroom. She dies a short time after.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Plot:?Do I really have to explain this one? Okay, an alien comes to Earth and makes friends with Elliott, and his sister, Drew Barrymore. The siblings try their best to hide their friend from the government until he finds his way back home.
Boohoo moment:?“I’ll be right here.”
The Notebook
Plot:?An old man in a nursing home tells his wife, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, the story of their love affair. The story is told through a series of flashbacks, with Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling portraying the couple in their youth.
Boohoo moment:?The whole movie is pretty sob-worthy, but the ending is particularly heart-breaking as the couple die in each other’s arms.
My Girl
Plot:?A young girl, Vada, who lives in a funeral home, goes through a number of life-changing experiences with her best friend Thomas J. by her side.
Boohoo moment:?Thomas J. is stung by a bee while looking for Vada’s mood ring, and dies from an allergic reaction.
Toy Story 3
Plot:?As Andy grows older and moves off to college, his toys are left unused and end up being sent to a daycare centre. Buzz, Woody and co. plan to escape after discovering that the centre is overruled by a Machiavellian teddybear.
Boohoo moment:?The final scene, in which Andy gives his old toys to a girl named Bonnie. I don’t know what’s more tearjerking: the fact that Andy has to say goodbye; or that the toys are finally going to be loved again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grSg8cd8v-Q
The Champ
Plot:?A remake of the 1931 film, The Champ?tells the story of a former boxer, Billy, who is devoted to raising his son, T.J. Billy plans a comeback to make T.J. proud.
Boohoo moment:?T.J.’s reaction when he discovers that ‘The Champ’ is gone will go down in history as the most devastating moment ever put on screen. See it here.
For the record, I now regret ever coming up with the idea for this piece. I’ve had to watch those videos one after another, and now I’m crying my eyes out. I hope you’re happy!
chez says
you forgot “Battlefield Earth”
Peter says
Good list…The Fox and Hound seems to have scarred my daughter for life while even just the thought of watching The Notebook is guaranteed to make my wife well up…
shazz says
you forgot monster’s ball
Pumpkin says
I think your list is absolutely shite! You must cry for the crappiest reasons. I ‘almost’ cried in The Notebook”, “The Help”, and “Brokeback Mountain”. You cry in “Toy Story” – Get a life!