After helping each other through this life for so long, what better way to honor someone than helping them into the next one? -David Ehrlich “Brokeback Mountain” It’s a devastating moment, to be sure, but - realistically - it’s also the best possible outcome for a healthy marriage. Hinted at in the startling first scene, this unforgettable film builds to a pure act of mercy, the husband putting his partner out of her misery. But this sobering portrait, the tale of an old Parisian man (Jean-Louis Trintignant) who’s forced to care for his frail wife (Emmanuelle Riva) after she suffers from a stroke, is profoundly beautiful for its coldness. Unfortunately, however, there’s nothing the least bit ironic about “Amour.” Yes, this confined relationship drama is a lot colder than your average love story. People were understandably skeptical about a Michael Haneke film with such a disarming title - after all, this is a guy who made a hyper-disturbing meditation on violence called “Funny Games,” and then made it again in case we didn’t get the joke the first time. “Amour” may be one of the saddest films ever made, but the saddest thing about it is ultimately the fact that it has a happy ending. It wouldn’t be complete without a few blockbusters as well studios have long perfected the art of making audiences weep. Not only do the films on this list find beauty in the most heartbreaking of human experiences, but they represent some of the brightest auteur filmmakers working today, including Ira Sachs, Isao Takahata, and Asghar Farhadi. Though it might sound trite, one doesn’t have to give up gorgeous cinematography or a tightly-wound script in order to be moved. Which is why we thought it necessary to single out some of the saddest movies of the century - so far. Even in an age when auteur-driven driven sci-fi and superhero franchises reign supreme, Hollywood will always love a good old-fashioned tearjerker.
Often it’s the most gut-wrenching movies that remain in our collective cultural memory the longest “Sophie’s Choice,” “Terms of Endearment,” and “Schindler’s List,” to name just a few. As much as we all love a stunning tracking shot or an impeccably stylized thriller, even the most discerning cinephiles have to admit: Sometimes, you just want a good cry.