1. Stepmom (1998)
I kept this choice to the end primarily because I didn't want to scare off anyone too afraid of the dreaded chick-flick, and not because this is the most emotional. Again, this film received a luke warm response from most critics, however, seeing as I've admitted to crying with all these films, its no surprise I genuinely love this movie, and the reason why is because of the beautiful way, in my opinion, it deals with the very human topic of cancer. Yes, yes... a lot of films have a cancer theme, and cancer movies are almost guaranteed weep-fests, but I genuinely think this film portrays cancer in a much more powerful way than many others (yes, even more so than Terms of Endearment). The fact that Susan Sarandon's character dies (at least off screen) makes it a lot braver than many cancer movies. For those that don't know the story, Stepmom focuses on two women. Susan Sarandon's character struggles to watch her ex-husband's new girlfriend (Julia Roberts) slowly start to replace her as a mother to her young son and teenage daughter. This is made more difficult when Sarandon finds out she has terminal cancer, and finds it initially difficult to accept that Roberts will soon completely take over her role, and her children may end up forgetting her when she dies. With a plot so thick with emotion as this, many people label the film as cheesy, but the film is actually rather subtle and considered. The emotional climax hits you at the end, when Sarandon, at this point almost bed ridden with cancer gives her children handmade Christmas presents (a quilt and a magicians cape) with photos of their lives together sewn into them, and effectively says her final goodbyes. Anyone whose ever had to deal with the loss of a family member, or has children themselves should be welling up at this point, but the real genius comes in the final scene. Sarandon poses for a photo with her family, but before the photo is taken, asks Roberts' character to join them, effectively accepting her into the family to take over her place. The final scene ends with a still frame... the picture that's just been taken. The film never shows Sarandon dying, but leaves the audience the freedom to connect the dots themselves, and left with the haunting image of a woman, soon gone from this world, but survived forever in the form of a photo. If you can make it past the first rather aimless, conventional "rom-com" first hour, the result is an emotional payoff which should stay with you forever. It was also directed by the very unappreciated Chris Columbus, the man who brought you some of the warmest, loving movies put to film (Home Alone, Mrs Doubtfire, Harry Potter 1 and 2) that even as an adult you can't help but like, right? These are my choices. I am eager to hear the many films that have made you, or people you know cry in the past, or a film which you cry at everytime you watch it in the comments section... Come on... Don't be afraid...