Top Five Movies For Tears

I think it is a generational thing. I never saw my grandfather cry. Can’t ever recall a tear falling from my Dad’s eyes either. As for me? I can quietly and inconspicuously drop a tear at a Memorial Day ceremony, at childbirth, or even when viewing a tear-jerker movie.

I don’t worry about what it says about my manhood. It is who I am. Real men can eat quiche and can drop a tear or two along the journey. Especially if you serve up a particularly sad movie. I have compiled my top five cinematic experiences sure to conjure up a tear even for the meanest, most masculine man on the planet. If they can watch these movies and not get a tad bit emotional….they are not human.

Here, for the first time, are my top five flicks that are sure to make this cheaptalker wipe a bit of moisture from my eyes. Seen them many times…and always get emotional…

5. The Patriot-I can’t find one scene that gets me mushy but it all starts when Keith Ledger buys it. It is that whole father and son thing. I try not to watch this movie but if I see it as I roll through the dial….I always stop…..and stay.

4. Field of Dreams—You will see a pattern here. Again, the whole father-son deal working here. When Kevin Costner plays catch with his dad on the Iowa field, I turn into a big wet blanket. I think it is because they had a strained relationship during their lives together and this scene provides redemption.

3. Turner and Hooch—The next theme now emerges. I hate seeing dogs get hurt or killed and while the writers of this move try to make things right by having Hooch father a litter of pups after his demise----too little too late. I had the same experience as a three-year-old when my mom took me to see the animated “Lady and the Tramp.” Tramp gets run over by a wagon late in the movie and I fell apart even though a later scene shows he only hurt his paw. It didn’t help me. For this reason, I have never watch “Old Yeller” because I know the outcome…and it isn’t pretty.

2. The Glenn Miller Story---I don’t know why….but this one always kills me. Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorites and I love the rags to riches story of the World War II era bandleader and his love for his wife played by June Allison. When his plane goes down in the English Channel while “Little Brown Jug” is playing on the radio for his wife and kids-----I’m toast.

1. Finally-----the ultimate sad movie-----Brian’s Song. The story of the relationship between Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers is so sad; I get emotional just thinking about it. Piccolo gets cancer at the height of his NFL career and his buddy has to stand by and watch his demise. Billy Dee Williams and James Caan play it to the hilt. Buy stock in Kleenex.

There you go. Once again I have revealed something about the inner-Dreith. Something even my wife might not know.

I am a sensitive slug. A man of many emotions and constantly trying to get in touch with my feminine side. Right?

Nah….I just have an oversized heart.