My 10 Favorite Emotion-Packed Movies

I’ve had this happen many times in my life.  Breakups.  Lost opportunities.  The kind where you just want to go home, stop by a Stewart’s on the way and pick up a tub of ice cream and some soda and some candy, sit in front of the television, and pop a film into the DVD player that speaks to you in this vulnerable time.

Okay, now I know there are people who read this and are thinking that Chuck Miller has gone soft.  He’s probably noshing down on a big plate of quiche.

Actually, the films I list are the kind that will affect anyone – male or female, young or old.  They’re films about people who have tried to find a shred of dignity only to discover that the dignity was taken away from them.  They’re films about lost opportunities, films where the good guy doesn’t get the girl, where the only true end in the film are the final credits.

So … in no particular order… here they are, along with their original movie trailers, when available.

THE WRESTLER The lonely life of a professional wrestler past his prime, breathtakingly played by Mickey Rourke. And that final speech in the ring, which you can hear snippets of in the embedded trailer, is nothing short of heartbreaking.
CITY LIGHTS If not the greatest silent film ever made, certainly the greatest Chaplin film ever made. The final scene with the blind flower girl, and the tramp with a heart of gold, is stunning.
THE CHAMP Jon Voight shines in this film. As does a young actor named Ricky Schroeder. I can still hear the words Schroeder says at the end of the film, over and over again. Can’t repeat them here, or it would spoil the film for you if you haven’t seen it.
CYRANO DE BERGERAC Forget the version with Gerard Depardieu, or even the modern retelling with Steve Martin. This is the version you have to see, the one with Jose Ferrer as the titular swordsman.
BRIAN’S SONG The true story of the relationship between teammates Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo and their time with the Chicago Bears, Brian’s Song is just as classic a sports movie as you will ever find.
IRONWEED Jack Nicholson. Meryl Streep. The words of William Kennedy. The backdrop of old Albany. An amazing film. Do I need to say any more? No.
OLD YELLER Couldn’t find the official trailer for this film, but I did include the YouTube clip of the pivotal scene at the end of the movie. I would never have had the courage to do what that kid had to do at that very moment.
THE IRON GIANT I saw this in the theater and was absolutely riveted for the entire film. The whole concept of the film worked around one statement – what if you were a weapon and didn’t want to be a weapon any more?
SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK Charlie Kaufman’s brilliant but overlooked work of art. It’s one of those films where you have to watch it twice because you missed something in the first viewing. The life of a director as he tries to create a masterpiece before he passes on. Filmed in Schenectady. And yes, Schenectady rhymes with Synecdoche.
THE LOST WEEKEND Forget films like Bright Lights Big City or Leaving Las Vegas. This is the classic film about losing nearly everything you’ve ever achieved because of alcohol. Ray Milland won an Oscar for his performance, and the scene where he tries to pawn his typewriter is a classic image that resonates within this film.

Yeah, I know I left off some of your favorites. So feel free to add to the list – how many of these are your favorite emotion-packed films, and what others should be added (or removed) from this list?