My friend and prolific freelance writer, Catherine asked me a little while ago if I’d be a willing guinea pig for her upcoming article about the health benefits in having a good cry.
As part of the experiment, I needed to watch three sad movies back to back.
Bring it on.
Finally tucking the kids to bed at around 8 on a Sunday night, I lit some candles, burnt some eucalyptus oil incense, propped up the nest of surrounding pillows and prepared for the self perpetuated emotional embroilment.
Why would anyone deliberately open themselves up to raw, painful vulnerability like that, you may ask.
And it’s a very good question.
As strange as it sounds, being asked to cry on cue seemed like a perfect opportunity to clear out unexplainable, emotional cobwebs.
This might sound really wacky – wanky, even – but do you ever feel sometimes doesn’t feel quite right inside? That only a solid session of weeping will help; like your soul needs a complete cleanse?
I took my selection of movies very seriously. I didn’t want to choose anything I had already seen or any of the mainstream tear jerkers.
The Lovely Bones:
This movie started as eerily scary rather than sad. Based on a novel by Alice Sebold, the dialogue is extremely powerful and memorable. With continuous themes of tragic, sudden death, the after life, mourning and letting go – the movie stirred up and woke that underlying grief I constantly hold for my cousin who passed away. Yup. There were lots of tears.
The Prince of Tides:
A recommendation from Mr Surfer, this is a story of a love that’s not meant to be. Going back to certain childhood stories, it talks about facing your past demons and accepting your vulnerabilities. And geez, it sure made me aware of my own.
Terms of Endearment:
Everyone lists this one of the all time saddest movies ever. Curiosity got the better of me and I watched it to understand why. A very long movie, I was wondering what the fuss was all about. By 1:30am and three quarters through, I was ready to switch it off but then the tragedy unfolded, with a huge impact. By the end, I was a complete mess.
Way past 2am, completely drained emotionally, I crawled into bed. My eyes were red and puffy and my head was throbbing. Didn’t help that I had to be up by 6am for a gym session.
Surprisingly, I slept deeply, albeit briefly. I woke up feeling energetic and strangely “lighter”. Thoughts felt much clearer and I remember that my writing seemed to naturally flow that day. By early evening I was exhausted and I slept solid that night.
Watching three movies back to back was intense, I admit. Next time, two will be suffice. And yes, to make sure to let my emotions surface and get some much needed “airing”, there will be a next time.
What are some of your favourite sad movies? When did you last let yourself cry? Was it cathartic?
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Haidee@Maybe Baby Brothers says
I bawled through Marley and Me and I ALWAYS cry through A League of Their Own (I don’t know why! I just can’t help it when Madonna is singing ‘This used to be my playground, this used to be my childhood dream’ and the waterworks start!) and My Girl. So sad! I’ve been known to cry in ads though … haha.
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Neets says
I believe in a good cry too Grace but I’m not much of a movie buff unfortunately. The thought of me sitting through a whole entire movie is enough to make me cry. ha ha. I do remember watching the Bridges of Madison County with my mum and I bawled through that because my mum could relate so much to it. I also cried years ago through A Beautiful Life. x
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Vanessa says
I ended up crying in my boss’ office yesterday at work. It has been an exhausting week and a heap of stuff bubbled up at once and flooded to the surface. But I did feel better afterwards.
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Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I’m no stranger to crying at the moment and lots of different things seem to be setting me off. For instance, the other night we were watching How I Met Your Mother (a comedy) and I started bawling after a particular song was played. I have to admit I tend to avoid tear jerker movies at the best of times – i just can’t do that to myself!
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Amy @ HandbagMafia says
Oh, the Lovely Bones- fantastic book, too! Mine is also a book (and better than the movie IMO)- The Bridges of Madison County. Gets me right in the feels.
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Lydia C. lee says
Pretty much any Jackie Chan movie (even though I know I’m being manipulated) – I think they put in a scene to make you cry for that reason….to make you feel better at the end of the film
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Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
I’ve always liked the idea of “scheduling a breakdown”. It’s a great way to refresh and build resilience. Otherwise the “straw that broke the camels back” can come at the most inconvenient (and sometimes public) times.
Love that quote you’ve got up there by Victor.
Good one.
L
Di from Max The Unicorn says
I’m terrible with sad movies, I hate them! I have Marley & Me on DVD but refuse to watch it. I even hate the sad bits in kids movies! LOL.
Submitting comment again without my website link as its not going through. I’ve had this problem on blogs for a few weeks now :/
mamagrace71 says
Sorry to hear that you haven’t been able to link up, Di 🙁 what happens when you try?
EmIly says
Oh wow. How intense. My last cry was last night and it took me completely by surprise. My kids have been really sick this week and yesterday was the worst day of it. I am physically and emotionally exhausted, and when C got home it just all came pouring out. x
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mamagrace71 says
Sending you big hugs, Em. Hope next week is a better one for you xxx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Oh gosh I’d be majorally tearing up at those movies!!! The Notebook and Beaches get me every single time. Oh and Marley and Me!!
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Desire Empire says
Nothing better than a good cry. After having kids, I cry alot more than I used to. Movies always made me cry, but now I cry at ads too.
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Shauna 'Round the Corner says
I loved this and feel inspired to get me some sad movies and light a candle! Sounds like the perfect night in to me! Although I don’t know if I would have the stamina that you have! Lol. I love a good cry but love my sleep more. Linking up for the first time today Grace. Thanks for the opportunity. Not my first visit to your site though! 🙂
Shauna 'Round the Corner says
Whoops forgot to link my post!
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Natalie says
Our whole family cries watching Marley and Me (even hubby shed a tear or two without admitting it!). I’ve also cried during The Notebook and Beaches.
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Jody at Six Little Hearts says
Top bawls: The Joy Luck Club – Went to see this at the cinema by myself once and had no idea what I was in for. No tissues later, I had filled my bra with water as I visibly shook with tears. (Remember, I was alone! So embarrassing!)
Lorenzo’s Oil – A dying child, a Father’s desperate bid to save him, (which succeeds). Based on a real-life story. Kinda amazing and very gut-wrenching to watch as a parent.
Sob…sob…
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Mumma McD says
We just finished watching the first series of Broadchurch and I cried in quite a few moments of that! Anything to do with kids really hits me. Marley & Me of course, and lots of parts of Harry Potter!
I find crying exhausting but such a great release 🙂
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Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy says
Do you know what? I can’t think of any favourite sad movies because I wouldn’t naturally pick them, I usually go for light comedy as a bit of a pick me up. Hold on, just let me think about it….oh yes!!!! Legends of the Fall. That’s my favourite ‘deep feelings, get all teary and emotional’ movie. And Brad pit is hot in it.
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Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life says
I always feel better after a good cry. It’s interesting that a cry over a movie can have the same effect. I don’t usually watch many movies, let alone sad ones, but I might give it a try!
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Ai Sakura says
After a huge cry I usually feel so tired too and just sleep right through.. wake up feeling completely rested and relieved so yeah, I guess it’s good for you in a way. I have to check out The Lovely Bones and Terms of Endearment!
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Fairlie says
For me, the one movie which is GUARANTEED to have me bawling is The Bridge to Terabithia…or as we call it in our house, ‘The Bridge to Frickin’ Misery’. ET and Edward Scissorhands also induce spontaneous weeping. And just recently I saw Woman in Gold at the movies on my own, because the rest of the family went to see the Jurassic movie…and I was crying into my glass of wine (yes, it was one of those cinemas that has a bar) over the injustice and horror of WWII Austria. I’m not sure it was cathartic. I felt more…gutted.
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Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side says
I’m still laughing at the Victor Hugo quote – as someone who has read both of his Les Miserables novels (part 1 and 2!) and endured several dozen pages of description of the history of the construction of the Paris underground sewer system… yes, he makes me cry.
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Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red says
I have the notebook recorded and I’m such a wuss, I still haven’t gotten around to watching it. Yes I believe a good cry is cathatic, but I much prefer a rom com, I love a good laugh.
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Michelle@mySlowliVingadventure says
I wept uncontrollably throughout My Sisters Keeper! It was on TV again recently, and I wanted to watch it again but my husband said “No way”. He was traumatised by the experience. I though it was very cathartic.
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Anne @ Domesblissity says
I have to agree Grace, they are some pretty sad movies and ones I’ve cried at many times. Thanks for the party and have a great weekend!
Anne @ Domesblissity xx
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Karin @ Calm to Conniption says
A big cry is awesome. Like washing your insides out. I hadn’t had one in ages and a little bit of sleep deprivation sent my crashing down at the end of Home a couple of weeks ago. Yes, Home. I was such a mess that it freaked out my son and he lost it too.
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Kaz @ Melting Moments says
The Notebook. Every. Single. Time. I love a good crying movie! It does make you feel like a big weight has been lifted after a good cry.
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Bronnie - Maid In Australia says
I’m a huge crier. Movies and theatre get me all the time, but so do life, little notes my kids leave me, certain subjects that come up, songs. I had an ugly cry at the airport when I put my kids on the plane back to their Dad the other night. Sometimes a good cry is medicinal but sometimes it just gives you a headache and big puffy eyes and a yucky nose! At least with movies you eventually feel better afterwards! x
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Kristyn says
For me, it’s Bridges of Madison County. I always cry in that one bit in the movie — the traffic lights scene.
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Tash @ Gift Grapevine says
I do enjoy a good cry on the odd occasion but gee – watching 3 sad movies in a row wouldn’t have left me with anything left! That would have been tough. The first movie I ever remember crying in was ET and it still gets me every time.
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Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum says
I never used to cry from watching a movie, but since having my girls that has all changed. Marley and Me is one of my favourite movies because I relate to it so much … but sometimes I just feel like stopping it before the end bit because it gets so sad. The same goes for The Notebook, such a lovely story. My Sister’s Keeper and The Fault in Our Stars were also tear-worthy. My husband always asks why I go back and watch such sad movies, but you’re right that sometimes you just need to get emotional and have a good cry.
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Julie @ Off to the park says
I know it sounds sad (mind the pun) but I do like a bit of tearjerker and a good cry!! I remember seeing “My Life” starring Nicole Kidman and Michael Keaton years ago at the movies. When the movie was over I came out of the cinema in a blubbering mess, only to look up and see another woman crying too, we just laughed at each other!!
Message in a bottle always gets me teary, as does Marley & Me. 🙂
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Mandy Barbie Bieber and Beyond says
Definitely Marley and Me, Phar Lap always used to get me, Fault In Our Stars, The Notebook and even Love Actually the first few times I watched it. I love a good cry..
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Peachy Keen Mumma - Jess says
I am so impressed that you can watch 3 movies in a row. I’ve been falling asleep half way through one!
Such an interesting experiment. Will have to share this one on my FB page.
I feel so much better after a big cry, and even better when I have resolution. The good thing about a movie is that most of the time you can leave it (emotion) behind and go back to your real life.
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Denyse Whelan says
3 movies in a row…woah… I cant even concentrate for one hour of TV. I have some memories of crying in/at movies and A Wonderful Life brings a tear..I am not a movie blubberer really and I got a bit sad/teary at the end of Toy Story 3. I think my teariness is always related to what reminds me of what’s no longer part of my life now. Since moving here there have been more tears related to sads of depression/anxiety and they are Ok-ish I guess as the hormones are being excreted.
By the way I always have sore eyes after crying why is that? D x
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sarah@tomfo says
I love a good movie that makes you cry, although I will cry at pretty much anything. I cried while watching an Officer and Gentlemen the other day. I might have a to snuggle up and watch a good chick flick this weekend. Have a great weekend lovely lady x
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Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
I beg to differ, I don’t enjoy a good cry I find it far too exhausting. :/
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Natalie @ our parallel connection says
I cry way too easily… My latest thing is to listen to Helen Reddy ‘I am woman’ and I am eg to get through the entire song without a tear…
Fiona says
I’m such a cryer….. especially in kids movies these days!
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Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
The Notebook makes me cry and Romeo and Juliet. And most recently the ending of Fast and Furious 7 with the tribute to Paul Walker, I cried like a baby and still cry when I hear the theme song.
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Leanda Michelle says
I love movies have written about the benefits of watching a sad movie to release those hidden emotions before… works for me! I fully recommend it♥
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Laney@thelaneyfiles says
My emotions couldn’t handle those movies. I just cried at The Voice. It is frighteningly easy to get me going these days…
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Indah nuria savitri says
What a list.. I watched prince of tides and cried .. Another sad movie I love is notebook and some Indonesian movies as well 🙂
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