There's something so good about those tragic, emotional movie scenes that just rip your soul straight from your body. Although I can't explain why we love to watch scenes that bring us pain, I know we do. Reddit user u/lituponfire asked, "What film scene absolutely destroys you every time, no matter how many times you've seen it?" and you should probably get your body ready to emit a flood of tears, because this one is gonna hurt.
1."The scene in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles where Neal berates Del in the hotel room, pointing out all his shortcomings of which he’s acutely aware, and he says, 'I like…I like me.' In that second, he manages to convey utter defeat, self-preservation, and the notion that he wants to like himself but knows subconsciously that he’s everything he’s just been told. It’s a profound moment from a very special actor."
2."That scene from Stepmom when Isabel says, 'You know every story, every wound, every memory. Their whole life's happiness is wrapped up in you...every single moment. Don't you get it? Look down the road to her wedding. I'm in a room alone with her, fitting her veil, fluffing her dress, telling her no woman has ever looked that beautiful. And my fear is that she'll be thinking, 'I wish my mom was here.' Jackie, 'And mine is...she won't.'"
5."'Bubba was going to be a shrimping boat captain, but instead, he died right there by that river in Vietnam.' — Forrest Gump. I just get really sad thinking about all of the Bubbas who have senselessly died in war and never got to live their lives and follow their dreams."
8."The part in Trainspotting where they find that the baby died while they were doped out. That part stuck with me for so long and is still so hard to watch, especially afterward when they all just go back to shooting up."
9."The scene in Life Is Beautiful when he puts his son in the locker and then walks away with the guards and makes it funny for his son while he knows he’s going to be shot. Oh my god. That movie hurts me every single time. I saw it when I was 10 and cried for months even at hearing the name of the movie."
Melampo Cinematografica / Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica / youtube.com
10."The end of Big Fish when the son starts making up the story, and then the funeral when you see the 'real' versions of those characters. The end of the movie has always killed me, but after my dad passed away 11 years ago, it hit me on a completely different level. Then I became a father myself a couple of years ago, and it got me on ANOTHER completely different level!"
12."When Ned in Our Idiot Brother snaps and yells at his sisters for not playing Charades right before he gets arrested for breaking probation. He's the nicest, most genuine person to ever exist, and they blame him for their shitty situations even though he was doing the right thing. Immediately after his outburst, he goes back to being kind and apologizes to his mom and nephew. It kills me to see him be selfless the entire movie just to be bullied and pushed over the edge in a time he needed his family to be there for him."
Big Beach Films / The Weinstein Company / youtube.com
13."The bit in Jojo Rabbit when he sees his mother's shoes hanging, and everything after that made me cry so much. I cry just thinking about it. It's so gut-wrenching."
14."In A League of Their Own when a letter comes from the army to say that somebody’s husband has died. I cry like every five minutes when I watch that movie, but that particular scene makes me sob."
15."When Jack Nicholson gets lobotomized in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I'm not a crier, but that made me cry so hard in anger because of the injustice. I may be more calm in my reaction now, but it always gets me."
16."The end of Saving Private Ryan. The entire last battle, the bridge scene, AND then the old boy at Normandy. 'Tell me I'm a good man.' I don't care who you are — that hits hard."
17."The end of American Beauty, when Lester dies and his wife goes to his closet and hugs all the clothes that are hanging up. It's such a powerful demonstration of grief that someone, instead of withdrawing into themselves, seeks out the closest thing that reminds them of their departed. Powerful scene."
18."That scene in Marley and Me where John is at the vet office with Marley saying goodbye destroyed me. I was near hysterically sobbing at the theater. It brought back memories of every beloved pet I held as they passed. No way I can ever watch that scene again."
19."The scene in Love Actually when Karen (Emma Thompson) realizes that Harry (Alan Rickman) is cheating on her, but it's Christmas Day and the kids are happy, so she gives herself 20 seconds listening to 'Both Sides Now' by Joni Mitchell and then gets back out there to be 'happy.' Two utterly brilliant actors at the top of their game."
22."The entire movie of Princess Bride you root for Inigo Montoya to get the revenge he so desperately wants. He finally does, and it’s some of the greatest writing I’ve ever seen. The pain on his face when you see him get his revenge but knowing he can’t get his father back. I tear up every time."
