In her recent entry, blog pal Winkie listed down several movies that turned her from a passive, non-emotional film buff into an unabashed cry baby. While I have seen all of them, none of the movies in her list have had the same effect on me as they did on her, unfortunately.
Not that I’m cold-hearted by the way, it’s just that I find it hard to “connect” with on-screen characters. Worst are from those over-the-top Pinoy melodramas (not that I’ve seen any) where, at the drop of a hat, the “api” or downtrodden would often let loose copious amount of tears enough to flood Manila’s rutted roads. It’s irritating I tell you. I would more likely shed a tear or two watching a documentary about animal cruelty such as baby seals being bludgeoned to death for their soft furs, in front of their mothers, by heartless seal hunters.
Strange as it may sound, the one movie that actually gave me a lump in my throat was this film by John Hughes.
Yup, you read that right folks, it was a comedy film starring Steve Martin and the late (and sorely missed) John Candy that ultimately opened the tear ducts (or is it tear valves?) of this impassionate movie goer.
It was towards the end of the film when Neal (the character played by Steve Martin) — upon seeing Del (John Candy) sitting alone in an empty train station — finally realizes that his obnoxious and irritating travel companion was not really all what he claimed to be. Turns out that Del had lost his wife eight years before, and has been wandering and travelling from state to state as a travelling salesman (selling shower curtain rings, of all things) ever since. He is, in a way, homeless and lives in cheap motels, but never discloses this to Neal — who lives in a big house with his wife and daughter — and continues to pretend to be a happily married man. Del’s somewhat easy-going nature and optimism, which the always uptight Neal despises, was in fact just a veil to hide the hurt and loneliness he had been going through all these years.
That scene inside the Union Station was, for me, the most poignant and touching I’ve seen in any film so far. Oh, and did I tell you that the movie was also funny as hell? and was in fact voted as one of the best comedy films of all time?
The Incurable Pessimist 
that is how good an actor Steve Martin is, that he can make his audience laugh and so too cry… but I don’t watch the seal hunt and have so many friends from that part of the country that had to migrate because of the depressing economy over there…but comes 2017, when the Hibernia oil fields mines start pumping that sweet crude, then maybe they will stop hunting the baby seals and work in the oil mines and related industries..just hope so. back to polluting the environment again, just p.u. a new crossover 6 seaters the other day in preparation for two more members coming over, my niece an her 4 years old boy, my bro’s grandson, whom he jokingly said won’t let go unless I get him a new car…and so I did…
The scenes which let my tear ducts break free like a busted dam are the ones which involve some parent or family member in a mishap like sickness, accidents and/or impending death.
I remember that scene you mentioned in that Steve Martin film. John Candy despite being an irritating pest (in the film) was still an adorable and endearing character with his heartwarming portrayal.
hala, special mention ako! hehehe!
di ka naman cold-heartefd, kuya rudy… mejo lang! hehehe! peace! i havent seen this film but it seems to have a very nice plot. and yes, the scene might make me cry too… am such a movie weeper. i hope i could find a copy soon para maka-relate ako. 🙂
I did enjoy this movie when I saw it on video (hehehe) back in the 1980s. I liked both actors and it’s sad that John Candy’s no longer with us. This film did a good of conveying the message that there are instances when we can’t really judge an individual simply on the basis of what he/she does. Sometimes what a person does is aimed to hide what he/she is really going through. I’ve come across a lot of people who are that way. When we understand, we don’t judge.
Vic> Wow, you bought you grandnephew a car? I wish I had an uncle like you…
Winkie> I doubt if you can find a copy sa mga pirata. You might have to buy or rent na lang from a licensed video store…
Panaderos> Yup, the ultimate message here is that, everyone — including those who we despise — have their own story to tell…
Daphne> John Candy was simply wonderful in that film, that’s why it left a lasting impression on me. Too bad he remained underrated as an actor until his death…
thanks for the heads up. i was guessing i won’t find it from the “pirata” stalls. might ask my friend from US to get me from amazon.com. she normally sends me copy of hard-to-find movies. hope she could find this for me. 1987 pa pala cya panalabas eh! 🙂
I think John Hughes is the famous director of Home Alone 1&2. And I remember in that movie (Home Alone) that John Candy appear as band leader. Siguro paborito siya talaga ni John Hughes ano? Halos lahat ng movie ni Steve martin napanood ko bakit kaya nakalagpas sa akin ito. Thanks for the info, Pare.
Loved the movie but too bad John Candy passed away so early. It was a nice movie actually – there were emotional moments but it was darn funny 🙂
Winkie> You’re welcome, hope your friend will be able to find a copy for you.
Ysrael> Yes, the movie was indeed directed by John Hughes. Sana makahanap ka ng kopya niyan, I think magugustuhan mo ang tandem nila Steve Martin at John Candy…
BW> Yeah, John Candy was one of those underrated comedians who could have made it big had he not die at such a young age…