Top Ten Tuesdays
Women are always telling us men to get in touch with our feminine sides: some more so than others. Take my fiancé for instance. She has made me go to the beauticians; she has suggested I use makeup to cover up any blotches on my face; she has got me interested in fashion. Now I have to admit, Ive indulged on occasion. But! I must stress, I am by no means pussy-whippedwell, not much! When it comes to films, real men are not moved to tears. At best they get an easily deniable lump in their throat. Im no different, despite my fiancés best efforts to feminise me. I rarely cry at the best of times and certainly not at something on the screen. However, when my fiancé wins the battle of what movie to watch, being the ever so kind lady she is, shes caught me out on a number of occasions So venture forward and discover the ten films I challenge any real man not to shed at least one tear to! Needless to say
spoilers ahead.
10. Forrest Gump (1994)
A man who is not the sharpest tool in the box leads a successful life, present at and influencing a number of historically important moments. However, throughout this significant life, his one true love continues to elude him '
Forrest Gump'
is a film that proves intelligence is secondary to courage, determination and, ultimately, love. Gumps lifelong search for the love of his life is far more important than any of the successes he has enjoyed or the moments he has had an affect on. When he finally gets back in contact with Jenny, whom we find out is suffering from an incurable virus, it doesnt seem fair. There is a brief moment of happiness when the couple are finally married, only for the tears to start streaming when Jenny succumbs to her illness. Gumps visit to his wifes grave, regaling stories of their son, is another tear-jerking moment. Fundamentally, the film has the power to make us blokes cry because its when we watch this that we realise how important our loved ones really areeven if they do make us watch stupid films that make us sniffle!
09. The Elephant Man (1980)
Having spent years earning a meagre living as a circus freak, the heavily disfigured John Merrick meets Dr. Fredrick Treves. With the help of the kind doctor, Merrick is able to regain his dignity and prove his worth as an intelligent human being.
David Lynchs
'The Elephant Man' is quite possibly the directors most stunning film. Despite the stark reality of the black and white cinematography, it is still somehow a dreamlike and extremely beautiful film. It is also extremely agonizing to watch. I am the kind of person who gets angry at the television screen when it acts as a window to prejudice and unjust actions.
The Elephant Man is one film that caused me to refrain from throwing a chair at my TV ! However, its not the appalling treatment of Merrick that causes me to well up, but one specific scene. When the striking
Anne Bancroft tells Merrick that
he is Romeo after they read a scene from her play together a tear forms in his eye. It is at this precise moment that the tears dwell in my own eyes, as it is quite amazing that finally he is able to experience one brief moment of joy after the endless years of pain that he has suffered. It is certainly one of the most tender moments in film history and an extremely emotional one.
08. Bambi (1942)
A young deer dubbed The Prince of the Forest has an idyllic childhood. Cared for by a loving mother, his life is virtually perfect as he runs free in the forest. However, when a hunter kills his mother the young Bambi is forced to learn the skills of survival on his own. Making friends with the other forest creatures, he grows into a young man and eventually finds love. However, all of his strength and courage is called into action when the hunters who killed his mother return It took me eleven years to watch '
Bambi'
again after originally seeing it as an eight year-old childand the only reason I did was for a Film Studies course at uni! Needless to say, when Bambis poor mum gets shot there wasnt a dry (male or female) eye in the house, including mine. So thanks to my sadistic tutors at university, the misery of Bambi that I had successfully banished from my memory after my first viewing will forever remain. (Its such a shame you cant unsee things). So to avoid reliving painful memories, I will merely say: whether youre eight or eighty, you know its made you cry!
07. Brians Song (1971)
The true story of American footballers Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. The two form a close bond and a lifelong friendship, which is put to the ultimate test when Piccolo is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
This film is quite possibly the best made for television movie ever to be released (it even had a theatrical release after its popularity demanded one). Its also easily the saddest. The strong bond between teammates in sport is often one of the greatest friendships men can have. The bond between Piccolo and Sayers is unquestionable. Their ability to remain so strong throughout the formers terminal cancer makes us realise the importance of such friendships. The film is so powerful because it calls into question our own relationship with our best friends. I know that my best mate would be there for me if the horrors of a terminal illness struck, just like I would be for him: and its precisely this thought that makes
'Brians Song' so emotional for me. The film never slips into overt sentimentality, but the fact that it is based on a true story and a real friendship makes it even more heart-rending. But lets be honest: sport, friendship and terminal illness is bound to hit us blokes every time
06. The Notebook (2004)
An old man in a nursing home reads a story to a lady suffering from Alzheimers. Its the story of a poor young man who falls desperately in love with a visiting rich girl. Their passionate affair is soon subject to difficulties, due to their different social standings. When the young girl returns home the affair is over, much to the delight of her family. But will the fervent lovers ever find each other again?
Ok, so this is very definitely a chick flick. Why did I watch it, I hear you ask? Well, as usual, I was made to! However, I found this love story which is told in a series of flashbacks to be much more entertaining than I ever could have imagined. The performances from
Rachel McAdams and
Ryan Gosling as the young leads are both solid. However, its
Gena Rowlands and
James Garner as the same, present day couple that really stand out. The ageing Allie Calhoun (Rowlands) is suffering from Alzheimers and we discover that her husband (Garner) is reading the story of their lives to her. When Allies memory returns to her and they embrace its a tender moment. However, when this fleeting return of recollection dissipates just as quickly as it has emerged, it is truly heartbreaking. Perhaps you have to be in a loving relationship to understand the horror of not being able to recognise your partner? All I know is, its possibly the scariest thought about ageingand I certainly shed a little tear when Allie no longer recognised her devoted husband.
05. Old Yeller (1957)
A young boys life is changed forever when he adopts a stray dog. With his father off on a cattle drive, Travis Coates is left to take care of his families ranch with the help of his mother and little sister. He soon grows to love and respect the dog, who he names Old Yeller. When a rabid wolf bites the faithful pooch, it seems that Travis will have to make the hardest decision of his life Anyone who knows me will tell you that absolutely anything to do with animal cruelty or death gets me VERY upset! As a kid, I couldnt bear to watch 'Free Willy' because it troubled me so muchand that ended happily! So imagine my distress upon discovering '
Old Yeller', what I thought was a nice little Disney film about a boy and his dog. Oh, how wrong could I be! 'Old Yeller'
is honestly one of the cruellest things Disney has ever put on the big screen. Its bad enough when Travis (played with traditional Disney gumption by Tommy Kirk) has to shoot their family cow Old Rose, but when hes forced to turn the gun on Old Yellerwell, I cant go on. All I can say is that any grown man who claims that this film doesnt bring them to tears is barefaced lying!
04. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
When Elliott discovers a stranded alien, he does all he can to help the extra-terrestrial return home. With the government out to experiment on the alien hes named E.T., Elliott must keep his friend safely hidden. However, when E.T. falls ill, it takes all of Elliotts brains to save the little alien and get him back to his home planet '
E.T.'
is one film that begins as a firm childhood favourite, but you can never grow out of! On the downside, this means that you cant escape the tears it inevitably brings. I remember being utterly traumatised as a child when E.T. becomes sick and all of the doctors swarm in. The thought that something so innocent and inherently good could die left a lasting impression on my naïve, childish brain. F uture viewings as an adult have done nothing to dispel the deep emotions the film manages to well up in me. Despite the fact that I know it is going to all end well eventually, seeing the little white E.T. is still one of the most upsetting images in cinema. Plus, we can all relate to the feeling of being a million miles away from home and the emotions this can produce.
03. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Opening with the Normandy Landings of 1944, the film follows the story of eight US soldiers who are given a very special mission. After learning that three of Mrs. Ryans sons have been killed in battle, the US Chief of Staff orders the safe return of her final son, Private James Ryan. For the eight soldiers chosen for the operation, it will be the hardest task of their lives. '
Saving Private Ryan'
is one of those films that most women probably will never understand. So when I actually got to make my fiancé watch it, she was totally baffled by its affect on me. Although I wasnt balling like a baby, it still manages to make a massive impact. The strength of the bond between the soldiers and the camaraderie that remains throughout can only be described as beautiful. Its the fact that the historical setting is real that makes the impact so hard-hitting. Knowing that my Grandad would have formed similar bonds with his fellow comrades makes
Saving Private Ryan a very hard film to watch. Living, fighting and dying together is surely the ultimate male bond and thus a very hard thing for men to not feel emotional about. I still find the opening scenes almost impossible to watch. This is possibly the most manliest film on this list and I therefore have no problems in admitting that a few tears may have escaped during my first, second, third viewing!
02. Up (2009)
An old man who has lost his loving wife, launches a mission to travel to South America; something they had both always dreamt of doing. However, the old man realises he has taken on board more than he intended to, when he discovers a young stowaway!
I was once told by a (male) friend that if you dont cry at Disney & Pixars
'Up', then you arent human. I immediately scoffed at this and said that I NEVER cry at films (ok, so that was a little exaggeration, Ive blubbed at a few). Boy was I WRONG though!!
'Up
' really is one of those films that just hits you like a head on collision with a brick wall, making it virtually impossible not to cry like a little schoolgirl. The poignancy of dreams unrealised and the reality of how short life is is sure to hit every viewer. The injustice of the elderly Carl Fredricksons treatment by those younger than him is also likely to affect a lot of viewers. For me, it was simply the harsh reality of life and its ability to crush your dreams that hit home. 'Ups' greatest power is the ease with which audiences can relate it to their own experiences. Luckily, with a large dollop of slapstick and satirical comedy following this heart-rending opening, you can at least regain your composure and pretend youve been a big ol tough guy all the way through!
01. The Lion King (1994)
A young lion cub prince is tricked into thinking he has caused his fathers death by his evil uncle, who has his designs on the kingdom. Guilt-ridden, the young cub flees his family and home. Years later, when his best friend finally finds him, the now adult lion is convinced it is his duty to return home and take his rightful place as the King of the Pride. Well, what can I say? There really isnt much I simply challenge anyone to watch this film and not shed a single tear when Mufasa dies. As a kid its possibly one of the most traumatic scenes in any film (how could Disney do thatagain!?). However, as an adult its just as distressing, particularly if youre a father. The heart-broken Simba still gets me every time. When he nudges and tries to revive his devoted father, I furiously attempt to swallow that lump at the back of my throat a million timesit never works!
'The Lion King'has got to be the one film that really can make a grown man blub