# Scenes that (unexpectedly) made you cry **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 11, 2016, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514 "2016-05-11T00:14:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/41 "2016-05-13T06:40:04Z")
> [@jenstar](#): > > Jack Nicholson’s speech at the end of ‘As Good As It Gets’. I’m a big Nicholson fan so have recently been going through his repertoire of movies. He’s a talented actor that can do both ends of the scale but its his humour and devilish charm that’s always appealed most, would love to be able to achieve that same vibe. But anyway, yeah, I watched this film for the first time last month and was smiling throughout but then the last scene surprisingly got me as Nicholson delivers his lines with perfect precision and shows his softer side. Great movie if you haven’t seen it. > [@elfkin477](#): > > Or Rose letting go of Jack towards the end of **Titanic** (edited) I was fortunate enough to be working as an usher in a cinema when it was showing **As Good As It Gets** , **Titanic** , and **Good Will Hunting** (and **Flubber** , but let’s not go there). Titanic only played on the biggest screen, I saw it five times when working there and I noticed the cinema cut has a soundtrack that doesn’t feature on TV or DVD - an undercurrent of _weeping_. AGAIT showed in a smaller, more intimate screen, and evoked lots of emotions which changed from day to day. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays people tended to be more serious, Thursdays they lightened up somewhat and Fridays it was a laugh riot. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/42 "2016-05-13T11:26:21Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > The scene in **Babe** when Farmer Hoggett sings to Babe to get him to start eating. That’s where I differ from most humans I guess. That’s a good scene but I don’t get any strong emotions from that. But I’m crying at the end when Babe is competing. ---
**Author:** ![dataguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@dataguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dataguy)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/43 "2016-05-13T15:54:50Z")
Gattaca. The scene that simultaneously shows Ethan blasting off and the guy whose life he has been impersonating commit suicide in the incinerator. This one took me totally by surprise. It wasn’t sadness because of his death. It was the statement it made. All throughout the movie the privileged character just wallowed in self pity because of his crippling accident. While Ethan went to incredible lengths to achieve his goal despite his imperfect genetics. The privileged guy took his own life because he realized that Ethan deserved his life more than he did because of what he did with it. I think this movie is generally under rated. But it may just be that it resonates very strongly with me, personally. This may be one of the most perfectly realized scenes in any movie I have seen. No dialog, but it communicates so much. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/44 "2016-05-13T16:23:19Z")
In retrospect, not so surprising, but going in I thought _Up_ was a fun animated kids movie with balloons. And it is a fun kids move, but the opening scene was, um, well some dust or something got in my eye there. ---
**Author:** ![Floppy\_Joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3bc359/32.png) [@Floppy\_Joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floppy_Joe)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/45 "2016-05-13T17:10:48Z")
Darn you all. \ Toy Story 2 - Jessie’s Song - When Somebody Loves You For reasons I can’t even fathom, abandonment get me every time. I can’t even play the sheet music without tearing up so bad that I can’t even see the page. The Incredibles - “I’m not strong enough.” Heck, I can’t even type this without getting uber-misty. My Dog Skip I’ve never seen the whole movie. I flipping through the channels when I happened on the scene where Willie just learns that his dog, Skip, died. I was sobbing so hard that my wife came in to see what was wrong with me. (When I was in the Marines, my dog that I got when I was 11, died.) I will NEVER watch this movie. Bicentennial Man The final scene, when the near human/robot, Andrew Martin, lay dieing next to his human wife, and congress grants him the status of Human, and then he dies. … aw crud… ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/46 "2016-05-13T18:50:33Z")
> [@Made\_in\_Macau](#): > > It is the reaching out of one to another to say I don’t know you but here’s my hand. Along these same lines, Star Trek: First Contact caught me off-guard during [the meeting between Cochrane and the Vulcans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4xm7x052XQ&t=2m) after the former’s first warp flight. After the Vulcans greet Cochrane with their standard split-fingers gesture and “live long and prosper” utterance, Cochrane tries to reciprocate, but isn’t physically able to match the gesture, and is at a loss for words; after a few seconds of fumbling, he says “thanks” and offers his hand for a traditional human handshake. At first blush, neither action on his part seems appropriate to the profundity of the situation, i.e. the first meeting in history between human beings and extra-terrestrials. But in the middle of a campy science-fiction comedy-drama, the simple, unadulterated purity of what those actions communicated - _gratitude_ and _friendship_ - ultimately seemed very profound and left me in tears. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/47 "2016-05-13T19:26:13Z")
The scene at the end of the _Futurama_ episode “Jurassic Bark” where Seymour is lying on the sidewalk in front of Panucci’s, waiting for Fry to come back after so many years and he closes his eyes. Without the context of the later movie _Bender’s Big Score_, this is a very heart-ripping scene that brings on the waterworks as I type this. Anyone who has loved a dog can relate to a loyal pooch waiting for his master unto death. Of course we now know Seymour’s life turned out differently because of Lars, but it still was a very moving scene. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/48 "2016-05-13T19:27:59Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > But in the middle of a campy science-fiction comedy-drama Campy? Them’s fightin’ words, sir! Draw your phaser!! ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/49 "2016-05-13T19:31:11Z")
I tend to get misty at “man’s inhumanity to man” reveals: Mozart’s corpse being dumped into the paupers’ pit in _Amadeus_; the reaction of the Biergarten crowd to the boy singing “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” in _Cabaret_; even the “Russians love children, too–we _can_ get along” climax of the old 1960s comedy The _Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming_. A more individual example that got me teary-eyed was the moment in _Defending Your Life_, in which footage of the protagonist as a toddler is being shown as part of an afterlife trial. The little kid, about a year old, is looking on in fear and distress as his mother and father scream at each other–it’s very upsetting to watch, for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/50 "2016-05-13T19:34:18Z")
Ending of You Got Mail. Joe worked so hard to win her affection. It made me so envious. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/51 "2016-05-13T19:35:24Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > The scene at the end of the _Futurama_ episode “Jurassic Bark” where Seymour is lying on the sidewalk in front of Panucci’s, waiting for Fry to come back after so many years and he closes his eyes. Without the context of the later movie _Bender’s Big Score_, this is a very heart-ripping scene that brings on the waterworks as I type this. Anyone who has loved a dog can relate to a loyal pooch waiting for his master unto death. Of course we now know Seymour’s life turned out differently because of Lars, but it still was a very moving scene. Oh, yes–that’s devastating. And the use of the Connie Francis rendition of “I Will Wait For You” is a big part of the impact, I think. (The Wikipedia article says that a well-known adagio by Khachaturian had been the first choice, but Francis’ just-short-of-camp passion was so perfect.) ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/52 "2016-05-13T21:22:59Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Along these same lines, Star Trek: First Contact caught me off-guard during [the meeting between Cochrane and the Vulcans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4xm7x052XQ&t=2m) after the former’s first warp flight. Ah, you beat me to it. I didn’t look as deep into it as you did; for me, it was the mere fact that the first race to come to earth was the peaceful Vulcans, not Klingons or some warlike race. Moving on: **Full Metal Jacket** , when the recruits are in their bunks reciting the rifle credo. Their intensity is almost frightening, knowing that they will indeed live and die by their rifles. **Band of Brothers** : After the cease-fire, a German general tells his men that they’ve fought well and bravely, and should be proud of themselves. Being American, I haven’t heard much about what it’s like to be on the losing side… Another for **The Muppet Movie**. Kermit and Fonzie are driving west, and pass Big Bird, who is walking east. “Hey there. Want a lift?” “Oh, no thanks. I’m on my way to New York City, to try to break into public television!” Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dante\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_G)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/53 "2016-05-13T21:34:05Z")
I’m a sucker for reunions in movies… In\* Awakenings\*, when Leonard first wakes up and sees his mom for the first time in years… Damn. In \*Homeward Bound : The Incredible Journey \*when all 3 animals reunite with their owners at the end. Also in\* Mask\*, although not a reunion, but still … when Rocky graduates with honors. Also when Gar threatens the carnival ride operator for not letting Rocky ride. That one makes me cheer more then anything. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/54 "2016-05-14T02:34:12Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > The scene at the end of the _Futurama_ episode “Jurassic Bark” where Seymour is lying on the sidewalk in front of Panucci’s, waiting for Fry to come back after so many years and he closes his eyes. That got to me too, but I was watching it with my then hospitalized dad two days after mom died, so… ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/55 "2016-05-14T06:10:33Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > The scene at the end of the _Futurama_ episode “Jurassic Bark” where Seymour is lying on the sidewalk in front of Panucci’s, waiting for Fry to come back after so many years and he closes his eyes. Without the context of the later movie _Bender’s Big Score_, this is a very heart-ripping scene that brings on the waterworks as I type this. Anyone who has loved a dog can relate to a loyal pooch waiting for his master unto death. Of course we now know Seymour’s life turned out differently because of Lars, but it still was a very moving scene. You beat me to it. Very moving. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AK3PWHxoT_E/hqdefault.jpg "Jurrasic Bark Ending.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK3PWHxoT_E) ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/56 "2016-05-14T08:41:54Z")
…the ending of Luck of the Fryish actually hit me harder than the dog episode. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vrmFA5aHg7Y/maxresdefault.jpg "Luck Of The Fryish Ending.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrmFA5aHg7Y) ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/57 "2016-05-15T22:38:50Z")
There is a scene from Indian in the Cupboard where Little Bear is telling Omri that he has to go back to his people. I’ve seen the movie more than once and didn’t think much of it, then I saw it again 10 or so years ago after I had a daughter. Yep, that’s when it hit me. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/58 "2016-05-15T22:52:06Z")
I was watching a rerun of the Simpson’s episode Lisa’s Wedding several years ago and at the very end Lisa and Homer have a sweet moment as he music and dialog fades while he tells her about his day at the fair. My Dad had been gone for years at that point but for some reason it triggered a flood of my own memories and I lost it. To this day that episode makes me think of my Dad and there really is no reason why other than the episode is about Lisa’s feelings for her father. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/59 "2016-05-16T00:56:06Z")
The **Star Trek** reboot movie. At the start when the USS _Kelvin_ with Kirks’ dad at the helm makes it’s final run and he hears is son cry - I’d been a father for just under a year at that point with another kid due in about 7 months. The whole scene ruined me in a way it wouldn’t have a year before. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514/60 "2016-05-17T16:33:33Z")
The movie [Highlander,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_(film)) in which the semi-immortal protagonist and his kind are engaged in a long-running tournament of swordfights that end in decapitation, gradually winnowing their numbers down over the centuries to a single final winner: “There can be only one.” Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) is being trained by another of his kind, Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Sean Connery), in preparation for an expected battle at some time in the future against the evil Kurgan (one of the more awesome movie villains BTW, portrayed well by Clancy Brown). Connor’s swordfighting skills improve, and one day during a sparring match he successfully disarms Juan, who lays defenseless on the ground with Connor’s sword poised at his neck. Connor gloats for a moment, enjoying his hard-earned victory, but Juan is experiencing an “oh shit” moment: Connor could take his head right here and advance in the tournament. Instead, Connor withdraws his sword and extends his arm: _“Give me your hand, brother.”_ Friendship, loyalty, and honor win the day, despite the fact that Connor may have to fight Juan for real in the future and risk losing his own head. Lambert delivers the line with perfect intonation that conveys ridicule toward the notion that Connor might ever take such a cheap shot at someone who has given him so much. Highlander is a hammy B-grade movie that didn’t quite turn a profit at the box office, but that’s a beautiful, worthy moment, and I tear up every time I see it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenes-that-unexpectedly-made-you-cry/754514.md?page=4)