Top 10 Looks of Parental Pride

I was recently having a conversation with someone about movies that make us cry. I mentioned my never-fail cry films (which I’ve written about here), but as we kept talking, we started wondering what exactly in movies makes us cry. I realized something that routinely makes me emotional is a parent looking at their child with the utmost sense of pride. And although I’ve written about some of these moments before, I thought it’d be an inspiring post all the same. Please advise that spoilers of the listed films lurk within.

Honorable Mention

Searching for Bobby Fisher (1993)

This isn’t so much a look of pride as it is a declaration of support. Fred’s (Joe Mantegna) son, Josh, is a chess genius, and when Josh’s teacher (Laura Linney) belittles Josh’s talents, Fred goes in on her. Fred’s words are essential in the film. For the first time, we see Josh’s dad really stick up for Josh’s talent. Fred isn’t speaking to hear his own voice; he’s speaking so that his son can hear him. That’s what gives the scene weight.

10. Cool Runnings (1993)

Yeah, it’s a corny Disney flick, and yeah, it probably didn’t go down this way in real life, but what can I say… I’m a product of ‘90s pop culture and the end of Cool Runnings gets me. And when Junior’s cantankerous old man opens his jacket to reveal his Jamaican bobsled shirt underneath, I’m as surprised and delighted as Junior himself. “The Look” at 2:27

9. Friday Night Lights (2004)

Charles Billingsley (Tim McGraw) is a drunk loser who endlessly berates his son, Don (Garrett Hedlund), for not being as good of a football player as Charles was. But when Don’s team barely loses the Texas State Championship, father and son meet midfield, and Charles gives Don his old state championship ring, as well as his approval. It’s an well-earned moment that both actors emotionally seize. “The Look” begins at 2:21

8. The Karate Kid (1984)

A bit of a surrogate cheat, but a damn fine one. As Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) assumes the crane stance during his final match of a karate tournament, the film cuts to Daniel’s teacher, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), who quickly nods in affirmation of what Daniel is about to do. And from then on, the audience knows the only outcome is victory. “The Look” at 1:31

Related Honorable Mention: Charles S. Dutton’s expression of anxious determination as Rudy makes his final play of the game. And that goddamn air punch Dutton throws as he walks away.

7. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

As Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) move into the third act of their dance routine, skillfully waltzing and tapping to Leonard Bernstein’s “Maria,” the camera quickly pushes in on Pat’s mother (Jacki Weaver), who is crying and beaming with pride as she watches her troubled son finally apply himself. I’m often distracted by David O. Russell’s ceaseless camera moves, but this is a great example of Russell’s style working, and working well. “The Look” at 1:41

6. Somewhere (2010)

The moment Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) watches his daughter, Cleo (Elle Fanning), ice stake in Somewhere is the moment Johnny’s vanity slowly begins to fade. At first, Johnny is completely unengaged, scrolling aimlessly on his BlackBerry. But as Cleo finds her grove, Johnny takes notice in the best, most paternal, most prideful way possible. There’s a lot going on in Johnny as he watches this. He’s proud and impressed, but also a bit ashamed and determined. Ashamed that he’s missed out on his daughter’s life, and determined to change that right away. “The Look” begins at 2:20

5. October Sky (1998)

First, there’s Homer Hickam Sr. (Chris Cooper) showing up to his son’s final rocket launch, which itself melts my heart. But when poppa slowly rests his hand on his son’s (Jake Gyllenhaal) shoulder, the emotional payoff of October Sky is finally realized. “The Look” at 1:59

4. Black Swan (2010)

The White Swan ascends to her grand moment of glory. She looks out to the astonished ground. She zeros in on a face. A stunned and prideful and tear-stained face. The White Swan smiles, as if finally content with what she has accomplished. “The Look” begins at 1:04

3. Warrior (2011)

The conclusion of Gavin O’Connor’s Warrior never fails to move me. This is thanks largely to Nick Nolte’s emotive contribution to it. As Paddy (Nolte) watches his two sons (Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy) finally connect in a positive, emotional way, a calm realization comes over Paddy’s face. He’s sad that the turmoil he caused within his family has come to this, but he’s happy that he was able to bring his boys together, even if it means he won’t be a part of their lives. A few tears, a proud smile, a little flick of the hat, and Paddy is on his way. Alone, for now, but content all the same. “The Look” begins at 5:33

2. Temple Grandin (2010)

At the very end of HBO’s Temple Grandin, the titular character (played by Claire Danes) addresses a frustrated group of parents at an autism convention. During her impromptu speech, Temple acknowledges how important her upbringing was to her health. The kicker is that Temple says all of this in front of her own mother (Julia Ormond), who is overcome with emotion as she hears her autistic daughter say this for the first time. It’s such an honest, human moment, one that helped Danes and Ormond win Emmys, and, most importantly, makes Temple Grandin a film worth revisiting again and again. “The Look” begins at 2:01

1. Whiplash (2014)

Paul Reiser’s final shot in Whiplash is one of my favorite reaction shots ever captured on film, even if it isn’t so much a look of pride as one of complete astonishment. As Andrew (Miles Teller) plays the set of his life, the camera swiftly cuts his dad (Paul Reiser) who is silently observing through a barely cracked door just off stage. The camera stays on Reiser’s face for a good 10 seconds, and in that time, we’re given a wide range of emotion. At first, Reiser is concerned, if not confounded. His face settles, gently morphing into one of utter amazement. For the first time, dad gets it. He gets his son’s obsession. The long hours, the pain, the blood. “Oh my god,” he’s thinking. “That’s my son. And look at him fucking go.” “The Look” at 2:04

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