# Best tear-jerking line(s) in a modern movie. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 20, 2005, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971 "2005-06-20T00:58:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![manx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@manx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manx)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/21 "2005-06-20T07:58:28Z")
Gandalf talking to Pippin before the battle of Pellanor Fields in RotK - ‘And then you see it… White shores and beyond, the far green country under a swift sunrise’ make me cry and cry. I’m a soggy mess by the time I get to them in the books, so I shouldn’t have been surprised at my reaction to them in the theaters. Also in _Donnie Darko_ (and I’m guessing at the exact line). Donnie asks his mother ‘how does it feel to have a wacko for a son?’. She’s in tears, but hugs him and says ‘it feels wonderful’. Sniff. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/22 "2005-06-20T08:37:25Z")
Does 1979 count as “modern”? “…we’ll never be obsolete. Carry on the tradition…_we’re_ the best. [clunk]”—B.O.B. (Slim Pickins), _The Black Hole_ Hey, you keep tearjerkers in your way, and I’ll keep 'em in mine. ☹ That, and Imhotep’s final line from _The Mummy Returns_ was oddly poignant, I thought. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/23 "2005-06-20T08:42:46Z")
Val Kilmer gives up his wife in _Heat_ (no particular line) Val Kilmer dies as Doc Holliday in _Tombstone_ “There’s no such thing as normal life, there’s just life. \ Now you go out there and you catch that pretty young thing.” (Can’t recall the rest, and don’t want to resort to IMDB for this one.) Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt walk off into the night at the very end of _Meet Joe Black_ True, none of these caused me to cry. But if I could cry, these would be a few of the places. (Can’t think of any Anime at the moment except Grave of the Fireflies–but that’s just **all** tears.) ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/24 "2005-06-20T11:12:57Z")
Wow, there are some good ones here. edwino, good call on _The Sixth Sense_ scene you mentioned. The end of the _Iron Giant_ gets me, too. My submission would be two scenes in the same movie, _Mulan_. The first scene that makes me, er, have a slight ocular discharge problem, is when Mulan decides to go in her father’s place. She cuts her hair, gets his armor and horse and leaves. When her parents discover what she’s done, they also realize there’s nothing they can do. If they reveal her, she’ll be killed. If they do nothing, she’ll probably die in battle. Finally, when she returns home bearing gifts her her father and he tells her the greatest gift and honor is having her for a daughter, I just flat out lose it. Boy, am I glad I’m not wearing mascara today. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/25 "2005-06-20T11:14:39Z")
:::ahem::: Lines, not scenes. :::tiptoes away::: ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/26 "2005-06-20T11:18:50Z")
Oh man, that’s what I get for not paying close enough attention. Thanks, Rilch. Strike my first submission, but I’m sticking with the second. It really is the line the father delivers that gets me. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/27 "2005-06-20T13:01:17Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > “My friends…You bow to no one.” That’s the one I came in here to post. My wife made fun of me for _days_ after that movie, because I was blubbering in the theater. I also get choked up every time I hear that rumbling “Suuuuuperman” in _The Iron Giant_. An obvious one (to me, anyway), from _Jerry Maguire_: “You had me at hello.” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/28 "2005-06-20T13:38:42Z")
Not a movie… yet… _Serenity_ River: I didn’t think you’d come for me. Simon: Well, you’re a dummy. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/29 "2005-06-20T13:40:52Z")
_Ordinary People_ - “I’m not disappointed, Dad. I love you.” Since it was Father’s Day yesterday (in the US). Regards Shodan ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/30 "2005-06-20T13:44:11Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > That, and Imhotep’s final line from _The Mummy Returns_ was oddly poignant, I thought. You mean when Imhotep is falling into that well of souls or demons or whatever, and gives Rick and Evelyn that “wow…if only Anck Su Namun wasn’t such at ungratefull biatch (considering I came back from the dead…2x…to be with her) things might have worked out like they did with you two kids” look? I’ve always liked the scene in Armegeddon where Will Patton’s kid is watching the launch on TV and is like “hey mom! that’s salesman’s on TV!” and the mom’s like “that’s not a salesman, that’s your father…”. ---
**Author:** ![Stonebow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Stonebow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stonebow)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/31 "2005-06-20T13:51:47Z")
My most recent favorite is going to be LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring. It sticks out to me because it’s a line (and scene) not in the book, but it was just so perfect. Frodo is going to run away at the end, after seeing how the Ring is corrupting his friends. Aragorn finds him, and there is a confrontation where you are not sure whether he is being seduced by it as well. Frodo knows he can’t fight Aragorn, is so tired by his burden…so he offers him the ring. * * * Frodo: Will you take it? What would you do with the Ring? Would you destroy it? Aragorn (walks slowly to Frodo): I would have gone with you…to the end. (closes Frodo’s hand around the ring) To the very fires of Mordor. Frodo: …I know. * * * Jeez, I’m tearing up as I write this. Also second the Sam scene in LOTR: RoTK, and of course, there’s Frodo’s line if FoTR: “I will take the Ring…though I do not know the way.” ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/32 "2005-06-20T14:19:25Z")
I agree 100% Lobsang . That Sam/Frodo sline tears me up every time ! Just watched it again yesterday , in fact , for abut the hundreth time ! ---
**Author:** ![Just1Lurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@Just1Lurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just1Lurk)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/33 "2005-06-20T14:41:43Z")
_Apollo 13:_ Lovell’s mom: Well, don’t be [scared]. If they could get a washing machine to fly, my Jimmy could land it. Just typing this, I’m getting goosebumps. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/34 "2005-06-20T14:59:41Z")
From Forrest Gump: Jenny: I’m a mama. His name’s Forrest. Forrest: Like me! Jenny: I named him after his daddy. Forrest: He got a daddy named Forrest, too? Jenny: You’re his daddy, Forrest. Isn’t he beautiful? Forrest: He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. But… is… is he smart? Or is he… Oh dear god, where are the tissues? ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/35 "2005-06-20T15:41:01Z")
For me, it’s Boromir’s dying line in _Fellowship of the Ring_: > [@](#): > > I would have followed you…my brother…my captain…my king. Damned if I’m not misting up just writing this. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/36 "2005-06-20T16:01:40Z")
> [@DeVena](#): > > From Forrest Gump: He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. But… is… is he smart? Or is he… Oh, just hell. I had forgotten about that one. It’s the way Forrest touches his chest to indicate himself that really gets me. Fling some tissues over here when you’re done with the box. That scene ripped me up. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/37 "2005-06-20T16:24:57Z")
> [@Stonebow](#): > > “I will take the Ring…though I do not know the way.” Actually, it’s not so much this line that gets me teary, as it is the look on Gandalf’s face when he hears Frodo say it the first time. It’s the sorrow and heartbreak of knowing something has to happen, but wishing there was any other way to do it. Another one that inexplicably tears me up is Disney’s _The Hunchback of Notre Dame_. The line is: “Sanctuary!” (cheers of the mob) “Sanctuary!”… I agree about _Mulan_, but I have a different set of lines/scene that tears me up: Emperor: “I’ve heard a great deal about you, Fa Mulan. You stole your father’s armor, ran away from home, impersonated a soldier, deceived your commanding officer, dishonored the Chinese Army, destroyed my palace! And you have saved us all.” [He bows to her, and row by row, every person in the Imperial City bows to her.] Say what you will about Disney, but they sure know how to tug on heartstrings. I will still bawl all the way thought the last 15 minutes of the original _Incredible Journey_ “Bodger!..Bodger?” ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/38 "2005-06-20T17:12:11Z")
> [@edwino](#): > > And the line is (courtesy IMDb) > > Cole Sear: She wanted me to tell you she saw you dance. She said when you were little you and she had a fight, right before your dance recital. You thought she didn’t come see you dance. She did. She hid in the back so you wouldn’t see. She said you were like an angel. She said you came to the place where they buried her. Asked her a question? She said the answer is… everyday. What did you ask? > Lynn Sear: Do… Do I make her proud?Do we really still need to be spoiler boxing that movie? Dang it, **edwino** , now I have to go blow my nose. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/39 "2005-06-20T17:36:36Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Not a movie… yet… > > _Serenity_… Hey, hey _hey_! For the love of god, man! Use spoiler boxes. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971/40 "2005-06-20T17:48:12Z")
_Field Of Dreams_ “Hey dad, wanna have a catch.” _Memento_ “What’s the last thing you remember?” “My wife…” “That’s sweet.” “…Dying.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tear-jerking-line-s-in-a-modern-movie/308971.md?page=3)