By Dylan Lepre ’19

Movies can manipulate emotions like it’s nobody’s business. They can make you cry, make you laugh, make you scream and many other things. However, there is some staunch opposition against some of the more famous movies that make people cry such as “Titanic.’ I am one of those people. I am against the mainstream movies like “Titanic” or “The Notebook,” simply because they are so mainstream. For movies that are supposed to make you cry, having all this hype around them somewhat breaks the magic or the sadness of the film. Having already known the plot, they felt like normal movies to me. Indeed, my eyes never even welled up. So, in the spirit of that, I decided to compile a list of my top five sad movies which get me every time.

1. “Batteries Not Included” – This is a lesser known movie even now. It has not taken gathered a cult following like so many other films from its decade. Instead, it has been cursed to obscurity and not really talked about. Yet, for me, it’s one of the saddest movies I’ve ever seen. The film deals with an old couple, the wife who suffers from dementia, discovering a small group of robot-like aliens and treating them like their dead son. Along the way, they must fit against a greedy real estate agent and they encounter a young man trying to find his way. Why is this movie sad? The wife (played by Jessica Tandy) gives a stellar performance. It’s sad, uplifting and heartbreaking. One scene especially where the young man (Carlos) tries to convince her that he is her son, since she used to think he was.
2. “Brian’s Song” – This is a TV movie that has been making grown men cry for years. It tells of a friendship between Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the eventual revelation that Piccolo has cancer. This film is sad for obvious reasons (the whole cancer part), but also for the way their friendship is presented. They are the first interracial roommates in the NFL and it’s through their differences that they become friends. It’s moving and gets me every time.
3. “Good Will Hunting” –  This is not only a sad movie, but one of my favorites. The story goes like this: Will Hunting is brilliant (genius level IQ), but content with his janitor job and his poor lifestyle. He’s been to prison several times because of his temper and his disregard for rules. Ordered to be counseled by a psychiatrist, he soon develops a friendship with that man (played by Robin Williams) and meets a girl that changes his life. It’s a predictable film, but the performances are what makes it perfect. Matt Damon gives it his all as Will and Robin Williams is absolutely captivating to watch. There’s an especially emotional scene where Will breaks down in William’s characters arms and cries his heart out. Beautiful scene, beautiful movie.
4. “The Shawshank Redemption” – Fun Fact: This film is based off a Stephen King book and is one of the greatest movies of all time. It tells the story of a man named Andy sentenced to jail time for murder. He meets Red (played by Morgan Freeman) and develops a friendship with him. The rest of the film is their struggle to find peace in a difficult place and Andy’s attempts to escape. It’s a moving story of bond and friendship and is not easily forgotten.
5. “Field of Dreams” – A classic sports movie, “Field of Dreams” stars Kevin Costner as Ray. Ray is told by a voice to build in a baseball field with the classic line “If you build it, he will come.” Ray does just that, and sure enough, Shoeless Joe Jackson (a player banned from baseball due to the 1919 Black Sox scandal) arrives at the field along with other deceased players. The story, however, is not just about that. It’s about Ray and his father “fixing” their relationship and Ray realizing what family really means. It’s well-acted and a beautiful discussion about hope. It’s a real gem.