crying: in response to the NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, October 18, 2013
Read about or listen to this PCHH episode.
Let's keep this simple: PCHH talked about films, songs, etc., that consistently make them cry. Trey named the scene in Sense and Sensibility in which Emma Thompson loses it, which is my number one choice too. "When somebody has done the right thing and suffered for it and finally is rewarded and there's that sort of eruption, both for the character and the audience, of sadness and joy."
So, filmi friends, what movies make you cry and why? I know I cried during Chak De India in the cinema because those girls had gone through so much and came together so well, both as individuals with their own challenges and as a functioning group of wiser people with a common purpose, plus Shahrukh with the vindication and neighbors who don't hate him anymore, but I don't think I have subsequently. No other titles are coming to mind, but I hope some do if I search my email for "snuffle" and "bawl."
Update to post (October 26): After a good night's sleep I remember three other films that made me cry in the cinema: Stanley Ka Dabba, Taare Zamen Par (I think the Maa song, actually, which is extra pathetic, but in my defense I watched it with my parents, who are both teachers, and they were crying too), and the Farooq Shaikh scenes towards the end of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewaani.
Let's keep this simple: PCHH talked about films, songs, etc., that consistently make them cry. Trey named the scene in Sense and Sensibility in which Emma Thompson loses it, which is my number one choice too. "When somebody has done the right thing and suffered for it and finally is rewarded and there's that sort of eruption, both for the character and the audience, of sadness and joy."
So, filmi friends, what movies make you cry and why? I know I cried during Chak De India in the cinema because those girls had gone through so much and came together so well, both as individuals with their own challenges and as a functioning group of wiser people with a common purpose, plus Shahrukh with the vindication and neighbors who don't hate him anymore, but I don't think I have subsequently. No other titles are coming to mind, but I hope some do if I search my email for "snuffle" and "bawl."
Update to post (October 26): After a good night's sleep I remember three other films that made me cry in the cinema: Stanley Ka Dabba, Taare Zamen Par (I think the Maa song, actually, which is extra pathetic, but in my defense I watched it with my parents, who are both teachers, and they were crying too), and the Farooq Shaikh scenes towards the end of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewaani.
Comments
Non-Bollywood movies - I cried at the end of Miracle because I am a true hockey fan. :)
I've also cried in the rain scene of Hum Tum.
Ps. I almost hate to mention this, because I feel like I'm setting up people's expectations for Paa ridiculously high. Suffice to say, crying is a very personal reaction and others may hate this movie and not find it emotionally engaging at all.
Unknown - Haven't seen it but I can believe it, based on what I hear. :)
veracious - I love your disclaimer - as I was reading your comment I thought "Really? Paa?" But I haven't seen it - the whole concept of the film put me off because it seems like such an excuse just to stick Amitabh in a different sort of role and then heap praise on him. But clearly you find much more than that in it, so I'll have to go read your review.
You're so right to point out that crying is personal. Some things are commonly held as weepers but I bet we each have a few things that set us off but no one else, due to personal experiences, fears, values, etc. we have that the art in some way evokes.
Cried like a baby.
And I am a sucker for stories with unrequited love so Devdas gets me every damn time.
Haven't cried that much at a film in ages, really.
Chak De India did have me tearing up, as does anything with a patriotic sort of vibe. Not sure why; I think it is a conditioned response.
Now I'm a much tougher cookie but I just finished watching Omkara and got a little teary when poor wide-eyed Kareena copped it.
I watched lots of Hindi movies as a gori newlywed in 2005-6 and then zero until January this year when I needed something to stop me falling asleep at 7pm with my children and found an old dvd of Kal Ho Na Ho. Which I refuse to cry during on principle: it's so freakin emotionally manipulative! (Not judging anyone who does cry during it though: I got misty-eyed watching a particularly poignant segment of Play School the other day, I'm in no position to judge anyone! KHNH just bugs me.)
Maybe I'll try Devdas again: not pregnant this time, but maybe watching it drunk would be the best/most appropriate way to get through it?
I'm with you on wanting to refuse KHNH the pleasure of making me cry, but to be honest I doubt I could resist during its whole runtime. I could blame it on mourning Preity Zinta's career?
Watching the SRK Devdas produced only tears of rage. Why, Sanjay Leela Bhansali? Why?!?!?