Have you got the iso blues?
Firstly, let’s just go on the record and say it’s okay to cry. Times are tough and pretending you don’t have feelings is pretty much the worst way to use your energy right now. But let’s face it, some people, both male and female, like to put on a brave face in times like these and that’s okay too.
If you’re one of those people, chances are your building up some serious levels of sadness in your mind and body, so why not chuck on a tearjerker film and allow yourself to let it all out. You can always just blame it on the movie and still act like the tough guy/girl. Check out some films that are bound to make you weep and if you need some actual help, head to Headspace:
Life Is Beautiful (1998)
Written, directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, this film is set in fascist Italy and follows the story of a Jewish-Italian man and his family who are sent to work in a Nazi concentration camp. There’s plenty of humour in there, but this one is guaranteed to have you sobbing into your pillow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoBRQgnFBEk
Forrest Gump (1994)
When thinking about Forrest Gump the first things that come to mind might be the ‘I gotta pee’ moment or Lieutenant Dan’s anger at getting saved by Forrest, but you’re missing the whole point. This film has some fucking hard-hitting moments that you maybe didn’t pick up on when you watched it as a kid…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLvqoHBptjg
My Girl (1991)
Was the ‘90s the saddest decade for movies? Who knows… One thing is for sure; when watching My Girl as a kid, if you didn’t cry your parents were taking you to a therapist. Macauley Culkin and Anna Chlumsky hit you right in the feels here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOzZiprF2KM
Lion (2016)
A young boy searches for his family, with support from his adoptive mother. Stop. I’m already welling up. The last half an hour or so of this film will have you cleaning tear stains from your carpet for the next six months.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RNI9o06vqo
Good Will Hunting (1997)
I think this one is made sadder by the fact that Robin Williams took his own life. Here he gives an incredible performance and Will Hunting’s (Matt Damon) counsellor, producing some truly tearjerktacular moments. It’s. Not. Your. Fault.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReIJ1lbL-Q8
Up (2009)
The opening montage of Up is fucking incredible when it comes to opening up the waterworks. Watching Carl and his wife live their happy-go-lucky life, before it crumbles, strums up the kind of emotion that you would never expect from a children’s animation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mzsU2O8tuU
Marley And Me (2009)
It’s a movie about a family and a dog. If you haven’t seen it, you can probably work out why this one is such a tearjerker… If you are a pet owner with an aging pet, you may want to sit this one out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UMMGNxg1Lg
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Personally, I think this is the performance of Heath Ledger’s career. Seeing him play Ennis Del Mar, the closeted rancher, is absolutely heartbreaking and the final scenes are very touching. Seeing him in anything is still so saddening, but this one will go down in history as one of the most emotional films ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMA30rThECg
A Star Is Born (2018)
Whether they’re hitting you with the brotherly love aspect, achieving your dreams angle or the classic true love tropes, this one is gonna make you cry. Bradley Cooper’s debut directing gig turned out to be quite the emotional rollercoaster and we thank him for it in tears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSbzyEJ8X9E
The Green Mile (1999)
This film is sad, funny, infuriating and magical all at the same time. Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey is so bloody powerful, along with a typically strong performance from Tom Hanks and also Sam Rockwell. Make sure you have the Kleenex handy for this one!
