You can count on me for life.

chamaeri:

Day 09: A movie that makes you cry

The Land Before Time (1988)

For a children’s movie, this is one of the most heart wrenching things I’ve ever seen, mostly because of the whole mother dying thing.  But lots of movies sad stuff in them, so why does this one always get me?  Well, let’s compare it to that other animated mom death that’s become so (in)famous.  When Bambi’s mom gets shot, it’s very quick.  Bang! One shot and then it’s over.  They don’t even show it happening.  I’m not saying the impact isn’t huge, because it really is very effective.  But when Little Foot’s mom dies they really rub your face in it.  They drag it out and prolong the pain.  In Bambi the mood shifts very quickly after his mom dies.  There’s a sudden time jump in the narrative and, just like that, Bambi’s all grown up and mom is never mentioned again.  In Little Foot’s case, he has no father to step in and care for him.  He drifts into a practically catatonic state of depression, which is probably quite realistic for a child who’s too young to understand what death is exactly and suffers the sudden loss of his mom and finds himself completely alone in the world, forced to fend for himself but totally unable to cope with the shock and the grief.  I’m not exaggerating.  The movie gets into that deep stuff.  I’m becoming depressed just by writing this.

And that’s not all.  You also have Sarah, who gets separated from her parents by an earthquake.  A huge divide opens up in the earth, leaving her on one side and them on the other.  They can see each other and shout to one another, but they have no way of reaching each other.  It’s not as heavy as the stuff with LF and his mom (remember that scene with the shadow?  Jeesh, just rip my heart out why doncha) but it is pretty sad.

I will say that this movie makes me cry happy tears as well as sad ones.  The ending is very poignant and I often find myself tearing up when the children reach the Great Valley and have this wonderful reunion with (what’s left of) their families.

Day 08: A movie you thought you’d hate but ended up loving: She’s the Man (2006)

Day 07: A movie from your childhood: The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986/89)

 

Day 06: Best love story in film: Jane Eyre (2011)

Day 05: A movie sequel you’d like to see made someday: Peking Opera Blues (1986)

Day 04: A movie you’re embarrassed to admit you like: Underworld (2003)

Day 03: A movie you wish more people had seen: The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

Day 02: A movie you can recite word for word: Victor Victoria (1982)

Day 01: The first movie you remember seeing: Aladdin (1992)