When you need a feel-good cry
Two movies that will give you the endorphin-releasing tears you (might) need.
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When was the last time you had a really good cry?
I’m talking about a feel-good cry. The type of cry that sneaks up on you when you’re not even feeling particularly sad. Your eyes well up with tears, and in seconds, they’re flowing with wild abandon down your cheeks.
When I cry like this, it’s usually because I’m watching a movie that is telling a beautiful, human story. And — it’s usually because something good is happening.
I love movies that give me this type of feel-good cry — they give me a release of endorphins and restore my faith in humanity. We all need a little bit of restored faith these days with everything going on in the world, so I thought you might also need a feel-good cry.
So, this week, here’s what I recommend you watch when you need a feel-good cry.
P.S. — One of these movies will rip your heart out before you get to the feel-good part, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Before I get to this week’s recommendations,
Here’s a taste of what I’ve been watching lately:
Severance. Where are my fellow Severance fans? This show is unbelievably creative, dramatic, suspenseful, funny, and perfectly weird. I’ll probably write about it more in the future, so for now, I’ll simply say, for the love of Kier, watch it! (You’ll find out who Kier is when you watch it). Severance is now streaming on AppleTV+. (I’m saving today’s episode for tonight, so no spoilers, please!)
The Pitt. Could this be the best medical drama yet? It’s real, dramatic, graphic, and full of emotion — and like my (now) second favourite show about doctors (E.R.), it stars Noah Wyle. The Pitt is now streaming on Crave (with HBO). P.S. — I just found out the actor who plays Mel is Bryan Cranston’s daughter!
The Brutalist. This film was getting so much buzz I had to see it ahead of the Oscars. It wasn’t entirely what I was expecting, but Adrien Brody is (unsurprisingly) so good that he’ll have you believing his character is real, and the cinematography is quite striking and dramatic. P.S. — Don’t worry about the 3.5-hour runtime — there’s an intermission built in.
Conclave. What a cast! And, for a film that’s essentially about a series of meetings, it’s quite suspenseful, and its cinematography is beautiful and creative. Conclave is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
LION
The 2016 film Lion begins with a series of beautiful aerial shots of land, sea, and sky that lead the viewer to a small Indian boy who is running across a desert landscape. At first, we see him surrounded by delicate little butterflies, and he is basking in this experience with his arms outstretched. This moment of zen goes away quickly, however, as he is called by his older brother to sneak onto a nearby moving train to help him steal coal that they can sell later for money to support their family.
When I first saw this film in the theatre, I was transfixed by this opening scene, and for the first half of the movie, my eyes remained glued to the screen as I followed Saroo, the little boy in the first scene. Played fearlessly by Sunny Pawar, (who was at the time 7 years old, and a first-time actor), Saroo’s journey is riveting — and based on a true story.
Adapted from the book, “A Long Way Home” by Saroo Brierley, Lion (2016) tells the story of Saroo, a young Indian boy who becomes lost for very innocent reasons. The movie's first half follows little Saroo, while the second follows adult Saroo (played by Dev Patel). I don’t want to tell you much more, because this powerful film is so much better if you simply watch and let Saroo’s story unfold.
I could stare at Dev Patel for the rest of my life — he was meant for the screen. Not only is he gorgeous, but the way he uses his facial expressions, voice, and body when he’s acting so perfectly communicates his emotions. (P.S. — Have you seen his film Monkey Man? He’s also writing and directing now.) Also giving emotionally honest, beautiful performances in this film are Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, David Wenham, Sunny Pawar, Priyanka Bose, and Abhishek Bharate. The Indian actors in the film were new to me, and I was absolutely blown away by each of their performances.
The cinematography by Grieg Fraser (Dune Part 2, The Batman) is stunningly gorgeous, and it also reminds us as viewers how vast the world truly is, particularly in scenes where little Saroo is shown in stark contrast to the big world around him. Writer Luke Davies and Director Garth Davis weave together past and present; the languages of English, Hindi, and Bengali; aspects of nature and technology; and Australian and Indian cultures so expertly to bring Saroo’s story to the screen. Lion is truly a phenomenal film with a beautiful script.
Minor spoiler alert — before you get to the feel-good tears, you’ll likely shed many sad ones and experience a lot of anxious feelings while you watch this film, but don’t shy away from it because of this. Watching this movie is a cathartic experience. After your heart is ripped out, I promise, it’ll be put back together.
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime
Fun Facts: Dev Patel pursued the role before the script was even written. After a long audition process after which he finally booked the role, he spent 8 months preparing for it, bulking up his physique, growing a beard, and developing an Australian accent to better portray the real Saroo Brierley. He also traveled to India to visit the real locations from Saroo’s past.
On the soundtrack, Sia’s inspiring song, “Never Give Up” was written specifically for the film.
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FIELD OF DREAMS
You don’t have to be American or love baseball to feel moved by Field of Dreams. Based on the book Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella, Field of Dreams (1989) is part drama, part fantasy, and all heart. Kevin Costner stars, supported by a talented cast including Ray Liotta, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster, and Gaby Hoffman.
Initially, the film’s reviews were mixed, but its enduring legacy has quieted the naysayers. Some critics found it too sentimental. Others, like Roger Ebert, gave it a full 4 stars and compared it to a Frank Capra film.
The story is about a farmer in Iowa, Ray Kinsella (Costner), who hears a voice in his cornfield and follows its mystical direction to plough over the corn and build a baseball field. What ensues is a magical, heartwarming story that asks questions about life, death, legacy, dreams, fathers and sons, and the afterlife. Costner is an excellent guide as Ray Kinsella, and Liotta is both iconic and enigmatic as Shoeless Joe Jackson.
Field of Dreams is a film about family, chasing dreams, and fighting for what you believe in, even when others may not see your vision. With an excellent cast, a well-paced narrative structure, funny and poetic writing, and a score by the late James Horner (Titanic) that hits all the right notes, this movie is a great choice for the whole family and will be sure to make those feel-good tears flow.
Where to Stream: Netflix
Fun Facts: The baseball field created for the film still exists in Dyersville, Iowa, and is open from sunrise to sunset year-round for visitors.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were background actors in the scene in Fenway Park. They would have been teenagers at the time.
Field of Dreams was legendary actor Burt Lancaster’s last on-screen role. He was 74 at the time.
What’s your favourite movie to have a feel-good cry to? Tell me in the comments!
MORE RECOMMENDATIONS
If you’d rather eat your feelings:
If you need a good laugh:
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Enjoy the movies,
Heather
📷 All photos from IMDB.
Streaming and rental sources listed are limited to the services and websites I subscribe to and/or have access to (in Canada) at the time of publishing. Feel free to search your streaming and cable services for these titles.
Sometimes you just need that emotional release, and this post totally got that. Love how you leaned into the beauty of a good cry—it felt honest, comforting, and real.