Tearjerkers

Some off-beat or funny films can be unexpectedly, powerfully... sad. 

1. The Fountain; Darren Aronofsky Click here to see trailer

The Fountain centres around Tommy (Hugh Jackman), a scientist working on the cure for death, and his wife Izzy (Rachel Weisz) who is dying of cancer. The story spans and travels back and forth over a thousand years, starting in the story Izzy is writing based in 1500ad Spain and ending in 2500ad with Tommy and the tree of life, in a bubble, in space. This story of life, love, death, and the fragility of our existence made me awe, then cry, then spiral into an existential crisis. This movie is cinematographically stunning, with a genius soundtrack (and lack there of), and powerful messages- if you want an unusual tearjerker then this is where you start. 

2. Melancholia; Lars Von Trier Click here to see trailer

Although it is in the name, I did not expect this movie to be quite so emotional. Following Justine's (Kirsten Dunst) struggle living with a depressive disorder, who ends up moving in with her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) in the wake of a mysterious planet threatening to collide with Earth. Dunst's performance is certainly the best I have seen from her, you could see the depression in her eyes. This movie left me feeling as though the Earth had really shattered, with emotionally realistic performances, twists and spectacular graphics. 

3. Never Let Me Go; Mark Romanek Click here to see trailer

Based on Kazuko Ishiguro's best selling novel, this story reveals a private school in England named Hailsham isn't exactly what it seems. Friends Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Kiera Knightly) grow up together and form a love triangle with dire consequences. I still cannot look at pictures from this film without feeling the hopelessness it evoked in me. This story is the perfect mix of sci-fi, romance and tragedy. 

4. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World; Lorene Scafaria Click here to see trailer

This movie explores what humanity would be like in its' last few days before the end. Dodge, (Steve Carell) plays a mundane and lonely middle aged man trying to deal with his up and coming demise, and meets Penny (Keira Knightly) who is the free spirited and forgetful next door neighbour. This film is a romantic comedy with a dark twist, and ends in a lovely yet tear jerking way. 

5. Marley and Me; David Frankel Click here to see trailer

Naughty puppy Marley is adopted by couple John and Jenny (Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston), but his terrible behaviour threatens to split up the couple who are trying to raise a young family and afford to live in Florida. This film is full of laughs, but also tears and as you can expect a very sad ending.  

6. One Day; Lone Scherfig Click here to see trailer

This film is nearly word for word David Nicholls' book by the same name, each chapter based on one day in the year when Dexter (Jim Sturges) and Em (Anne Hathaway) met. Each day reveals another part of their rollercoaster ride of a friendship leaving us with the hope that one day they might be together! I would say the emotional level of this film is on par with The Notebook, in a quirkier light. 

7. Bicentennial Man; Chris Columbus Click here to see trailer

The trailer for this movie is so, so wrong. This seemingly light hearted film is about an android robot (Robin Williams) joining a family as their servant. But he quickly discovers he is not like the other androids, able to learn skills for pure enjoyment and feel emotion like sorrow, and love. We follow the now named and clothed robot on his quest to become as human-like as possible. Robin Williams as usual managed to make me laugh just as hard as I cried when watching this movie. 

8. Mary and Max; Adam Elliot Click here to see trailer

The saddest claymation I have ever seen, Mary and Max shows the friendship between a young and lonely 8 year old girl in Australia, Mary (Toni Collette), and her pen pal 44 year old Max (Philip Seymour Hoffman) living in the loud and dirty New York. They bond over their problems and love of strange things, and embark on a quest to meet.