What movies make you cry? When I saw The Champ during its initial theater run, I did not expect to cry, but I did, and so did everyone in the audience. Watching 9-year-old Ricky Schroeder begging his father not to die was just too much. When researchers Robert Levenson and James Gross began looking for a trigger that would ethically induce sadness in volunteer test subjects, they searched for the most sure-fire tear-jerking film ever. It took years, but they found The Champ.
Cue the argument for Old Yeller. Excuse me, I think I need a handkerchief. Link -via Metafilter
Link to the specific scene from The Champ.
In 1995, Gross and Levenson published the results of their test screenings. They came up with a list of 16 short film clips able to elicit a single emotion, such as anger, fear or surprise. Their recommendation for inducing disgust was a short film showing an amputation. Their top-rated film clip for amusement was the fake orgasm scene from When Harry Met Sally. And then there’s the two-minute, 51-second clip of Schroder weeping over his father’s dead body in The Champ, which Levenson and Gross found produced more sadness in laboratory subjects than the death of Bambi’s mom.
“I still feel sad when I see that boy crying his heart out,” Gross says.
Cue the argument for Old Yeller. Excuse me, I think I need a handkerchief. Link -via Metafilter
Link to the specific scene from The Champ.
Largely forgotten and underrated imho. Ok, so maybe it's not Oscar material, but this one will not leave you cold, I can guarantee it.
(And nobody had to die, family movie, part comedy, do not spoil with trailers etc, just watch. ;))
I remember actually sobbing during Terms of Endearment, when she tells her son that she know that he loves her.
The one that got to me was AI. The whole movie had an annoyingly tragic air, but the end was just a killer. I still cringe any time it comes to mind, and instantly try to think of something else, anything else.
In 1989 it showed the beginning of the end for individual rights, and the start of the current dynasty of "Corporate Amerika".
Makes me sob uncontrollably for several minutes everytime I watch it.
http://bennyhillifier.com/?id=ctjt7yuZHQM&feature=related
1. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
2. Grave of fireflies
(checking the link, only 250 were considered) i win ;')
...and it's a frickin' cartoon.
DO NOT WATCH THE FILM.
I repeat, DO NOT WATCH THE PLAGUE DOGS.
I watched it once in 1986, and am still scarred.
Mr.Cooper passed away last year at the age of 88 and could cry rings around Ricky....
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039111/
It was shown on television as a 'Family Comedy' (?!!!)
You spend an entire movie falling in love with that dog... Watch it at your own peril.
I thought it was incredibly sad.
If you haven't seen it, don't read the wiki first(too many spoilers), and be prepared to cry like you have never cried before.
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/old-yeller-dog-food/
No kidding, rent it.