Page 24 - CelebrationsSpring2020

touches me; the moment when you learn what true love is, and that that love has been next to you the whole time. As I said, the greatest love story ever told.
Ratatouille
I confess this one is hard to explain; in that I’m not sure why it affects my so deeply. You’d think I’d be referring to the moment when Linguini and Colette fall in love, or when Remy’s father finally understands and accepts his son for who he truly is inside. These are emotional moments to be sure, but the scene that always gets me weeping is when Anton Ego takes that first bite of ratatouille and instantly becomes a child again. Why does this scene affect me so much? I think it’s because it’s that sudden realization that no matter how “grown up” we think we are, there’s always a part of us that’s a child at heart (whether we realize it or not). One who is vulnerable, sometimes scared, and wanting to be loved and accepted. As Anton remembers how he was comforted by his mother after his minor accident, has hardened exterior melts away and you can tell he reconnects with what is truly important again. It’s that affirmation of the powerful bond between parent and child that really tugs at my heart...that bond that can never truly be broken (and one we’ll revisit a little later in this list).
Toy Story 2
I’m sure this next one is on everyone’s list. There are plenty of emotional journeys that play out in this film, from Woody’s fear of being abandoned to his having to choose between his old friends and his new “family.” But it’s Jessie’s story that is the most heart-wrenching of all. Though Woody’s fears stemmed from a series of misunderstandings and accidents (after all, Andy never truly wanted to throw him away, much less have him sold in a yard sale), Jessie’s abandonment was very real. As we relive her story, told through visuals and the “you can’t help but cry when you hear it” song “When She Loved Me,” sung by Sarah McLachlan, I for one turn into a pitiful blob of blubbering jelly. So much so that when I see the film in the company of my daughter and the scene is forthcoming, she always asks “are you going to cry again?” “Yep” I whimper, covering myself with a blanket. And the waterworks flow. And I bet they do for you to.
Mulan
Speaking of daughters, this is far and away my top weepy moment, for this is one of the purest and most heartfelt
daddy/daughter moments in the Disney film canon (and there are lots to choose from to be sure). It comes early in the film when Mulan is feeling depressed and unsure of herself and of her place in the world. Sitting in grove of trees, her father sits by her side. He senses the pain in his daughter’s heart, but rather than trying to solve her problems (which he knows he can’t do through mere words), he simply comments “My, what beautiful blossoms we have this year. But look, this one’s late. But I’ll bet that when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all.” Mulan knows what he means, and we know what he means. It’s that reassurance from your father that he believes in you, that he loves you, and that to him you are the most treasured part of his heart and soul. For every child that’s felt out of place or unappreciated, and for every parent (father in my case) who has wanted nothing less than to give their whole world to their daughter or son, this parent/child moment is one that touches everyone.
Later in the film, the Emperor echoes this sentiment when he says “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” And yes, both moments make me unabashedly cry. Not tears of sadness, but of love... love for my daughter and the strongest love I know I will always have. One that will never be broken.
Wreck-It Ralph
Sure, this fun-filled movie is a great tribute to the arcade games of old, whether you grew up on Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders, or more recent games like Super Mario Brothers and Sonic the Hedgehog. No matter what game is your favorite, you’ll find plenty of Easter eggs and hidden gems that will surely bring a smile to your face. But at its heart this movie is about finding your place in the world, and more importantly about friendship. Nowhere is this more evident than the friendship between Ralph and Vanellope. Sure, Vanellope can be sharp-witted and, let’s face it, free with the hilarious insults. And Ralph’s original quest was based purely on his envy of the Nicelanders (who got to live in a stylish high-rise while he slept in a literal junk pile), and all he wanted was that precious medal, but as the two characters grew closer, they realized that their friendship was more important than any of these other trivial matters. Most of the film is a great thrill ride and filled with tremendous action and suspense, but my favorite part of the movie is actually one of the saddest. When Ralph, with the best of intentions, destroys Vanellope’s car in an effort to save her life, Vanellope’s heart is torn apart as she realizes
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