Movies are great for entertainment and escaping the world around us. However, there are some movies out there that will literally make you cry. Normally, we would think that it's mainly girls who are guilty of this, and you would be right if we're talking something like "Titanic" or "The Notebook." (Seriously, if you're a guy who cries over those movies, or watches them at all for that matter, just stop...unless you're dating someone.) But, there are some movies out there that guys can become pretty emotional about, too. Now, if you're thinking, "No, that's not me. I never cry over movies," you're either a liar or soulless. Guys shouldn't be afraid to show their emotions, should the need arise.
So, here are 10 movies that it's okay for men to cry about (at least, I hope so because if they're not, that means I'm a wuss). These are in no particular order. (Spoilers ahead). (Also, some clips may contain language you don't prefer.)
1. The Green Mile
I've seen this movie three times now, the last one being a few days ago. I honestly think I got more emotional the last time than the other two times. There are several moments in this film that would induce tears. One would be when the mouse is crushed, but then it's okay because John Coffey heals it. The most disturbing moment in the film is definitely Eduard Delacroix's sabotaged execution, where the audience is forced to watch as a malicious guard purposefully forgets to wet the sponge for the electric chair and Del basically burns to death inside his hood. And, if you've somehow gone most of the movie without emotion, you will definitely lose it at the end when the innocent John Coffey is electrocuted for a crime he didn't commit. (This is sad to me mainly because it brings to mind another innocent man who died, and, coincidentally, has the same initials as John Coffey.)
2. Good Will Hunting-At first, the title character appears to be just the standard genius wasting his life that we see all the time. But, thanks to some digging by his therapist, Sean (played excellently by Robin Williams), we discover he also has a dark past of abuse at the hands of foster parents. Because of this, Will finds it hard to accept love. The tear-jerking scene comes at the end when Sean repeatedly tells Will that what happened isn't his fault, and Will breaks down sobbing in Sean's arms.
3. Saving Private Ryan-Not really any need to explain this one too much. It shows the reality of war better than most of its peers, which any veteran can tell you is definitely reason to lose it.
4. Stand By Me-Where to begin? At first, the movie starts out as just an adventure with typical twelve-year-old boys. But, this movie does have some surprisingly intense moments, some of which may hit a little close to home for some. One moment is when Chris Chambers is lamenting his inability to rise above his family's bad reputation and his grim outlook for his future. Another is when Gordie Lachance dreams about his brother's funeral and how his father flat-out said that it should have been Gordie. Gordie eventually breaks down saying, "My dad hates me!" to which Chris answers, "No, he just doesn't know you." The last heart-breaking moment is when Gordie, as an adult, tells us the future of his friends, including how they eventually parted ways with two of them and how Chris was stabbed as an adult.
5. Dead Poets Society-Yet another fantastic Robin Williams vehicle. This tells the story of a man who taught young boys to "seize the day." Unfortunately, not everyone agreed with him, particularly the father of one of the boys, whose controlling ways become so bad, that the boy eventually shoots himself. Robin Williams' character is blamed and fired from the school. But the boys show him a final tribute as he's leaving his classroom for the last time (shown below). And, of course, it's even sadder now that Williams truly has left us.
6. The Shawshank Redemption-If you know me, you knew this one would be coming eventually. Tear-jerking moments include when the captain of the guards beats a prisoner to death, when Brooks Hatlen hangs himself, when one of the prisoners is shot for no reason, and you might well up a little when Andy talks about his dream of going to a place it doesn't look like he'll ever get to. But, this movie also produces some tears of joy when Andy finally escapes his personal hell and makes it to freedom.
7. God's Not Dead-Many emotional moments, so, to save time, I'll just list them all and move on. Mom has dementia, Amy has cancer, Radisson's mom died of cancer, Ayisha gets slapped and disowned for her faith, Amy has a breakdown when it hits her that she's going to die, Radisson reads the last letter his mother wrote, demented mother has unexpected moment of spiritual clarity, Radisson gets hit by a car and accepts Christ right before dying, and the Newsboys sing "God's Not Dead."
8. Courageous- Come on, the guy's sweet little daughter died. Cry, or everyone will know your heartlessness. Also, Adam's speech at the end truly inspires awe. And, let's not forget Nathan's speech at his father's grave.
9. Toy Story 3-Yes, even the animated films are capable of producing tears. This one is particularly emotional if you're like me and you grew up on the first two movies. Seriously, that trash incinerator scene? It's almost like the director said, "Hey, let's forget about the fact that kids are watching this, and just destroy everyone emotionally." That moment when the toys are holding hands, waiting for their fiery death is among the most intense I've seen in an animated film. And, of course, the end where Andy gives up the toys is sad because he not only says goodbye to his toys in this moment, but his childhood, too.
10. The Passion of the Christ-From His condemnation, to His scourging, to His crucifixion, there is not a dry eye in the house when this movie is showing. Admittedly, if you're not a Christian, you probably wouldn't get too much out of this, but if you are, you will be destroyed by the graphic realism of what our Lord went through for us.
(Warning: Don't watch if you have a weak stomach or heart.)
So, there you go fellas. Now you know when it's okay to show your emotions you pretend you don't have. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go somewhere and cry for a very long while...
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