Sometimes it's ok to cry

This is actually a post I thought about writing last week after a lunchtime discussion at work, but I'm just getting to it now.  The conversation centered around E.T. and how some of us always cry at the end.  Then we started talking about other movies that make us cry.  Obviously, the men and women were on vastly different spectrums.  So I thought I would post about the movies that always make me cry and give reasons why it's ok.

First, the movie that started the discussion, E.T.  I lose it every time E.T. looks at Elliot at the end, and says, "I'll be right here."  It's so sad because Elliot is losing the best friend he ever had.  But at the same time, E.T. is assuring Elliot that he will always remember E.T.  It is such a powerful scene and one that I think most of us can relate to.  Most of us have had to say goodbye to someone or something we love, so we know how hard that is.  Also, we've all been a kid and have probably been so attached to something that we don't want to let it go.  This scene is the heart of what makes this movie so great, and why I can watch it over and over again and still get emotional at the end.

Next up is Field of Dreams.  I know what you're thinking, "Why the heck would Field of Dreams make you cry?"  Well, at the end of this movie Ray Kinsella meets his dad, as a ghost of course.  Earlier in the movie we hear that Ray regrets the final conversation he had with his dad, and also that he refused to play catch with his dad.  Now he has a chance to make up for it.  And how does he choose to do it?  By asking his dad to play catch, of course.  Any boy who has ever played catch with his dad knows how powerful this moment is.  I can probably speak for the majority of men who most likely want to go play catch with their dad after seeing this movie.  It gets me every time and the tears start flowing.

Third, we have Backdraft.  This one doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but it still gets me every time.  At the end of the movie, during the warehouse fire, Bull (Kurt Russel) is trying to save Axe (Scott Glenn) as they dangle perilously from a rafter.  Axe, who has been responsible for setting the fires throughout the movie, says, "Let me go, Bull."  To this Bull utters, "You go, we go," which is the signature phrase of their firehouse.  This simple phrase shows that Bull cares more about saving Axe's life than punishing him for what he has done.  Ultimately, Axe falls to his death and Bull is rescued by his brother.  I have no life connection to this movie, it just pulls at my heartstrings.

Finally, I present you with Finding Neverland.  For those who might not be aware, this movie is about how J.M. Barrie found the inspiration to write Peter Pan.  Johnny Depp plays Barrie (a little treat for the ladies) who starts spending time with Kate Winslet's character and her family, who become the inspiration for the book, or play.  Throughout the movie we see that she is very sick, and most likely dying.  When the play premieres, she is too ill to attend.  So Barrie brings the play to her and presents a stripped down version in her house so she can see how her children became immortalized.  It is such a sweet moment orchestrated by a person (Barrie) who cares very deeply for her and her family.  I love how Winslet so wonderfully portrays the surprise and delight of seeing the play for the first time.  Bring on the waterworks.

So, as you can see, sometimes it's ok to cry.  I hope you enjoyed my list.  Feel free to share your own in the comments.