20 Movie Scenes That Are Totally Flawless

Since we're talking about heartbreak, how about this scene from Frank Darabont's beloved drama The Shawshank Redemption?

Though the Stephen King adaptation has plenty of phenomenal scenes, from Andy's (Tim Robbins) escape to the rooftop beer break, no moment in the film is as powerful as seeing Brooks (James Whitmore) leave prison and try to integrate himself back into society.

Freed after almost his entire life behind bars, Brooks gets a job packing groceries, and spends his days feeding the birds and trying to sleep through bad dreams. Just as it looks as though he's about to leave and start a new life on his own terms, he etches "BROOKS WAS HERE" onto the wall in his bedroom and hangs himself.

It's a tragic, left-field development, and one that makes you feel for the poor old librarian despite his chequered past. In those final moments, Brooks is just an old man, confused and alone, and his final fate is nothing but a gut-punch.