Why do we cry when we watch films or read books that move us deeply? I remember years ago in high school when a teacher discussed catharsis, the emotional state one is in when you are effected deeply, usually by something that does not directly affect you, such as a movie or a play.

Pronunciation: k&-'thär-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ca·thar·ses /-"sEz/
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek katharsis, from kathairein to cleanse, purge, from katharos
1 : PURGATION
2 a : purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) primarily through art b : a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension
3 : elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression

I don't cry very often over things that happen to me, but there are movies and books that have reduced me to a sobbing, sorry state. Some have such an intense effect on me that I will not watch them with other people. It's too embarrassing. I know that what I am watching is not really happening. I know that they are actors and that they shot that very scene over and over and just out of sight there is a whole camera crew and a director chain smoking and saying, "Okay, you're blocking your dead child's face when you bend that way....do it again and don't bring your left hand up so high."

I supposes it's suspended disbelief, when you allow yourself to go with the premise that what you are seeing is real. Much like when one of my cats drops their toy in my shoe, backs up and crouches for a moment before leaping on it. They know very well that they dropped the toy in my shoe and that it's not really an unsuspecting mouse. They just choose to go with the moment for the satisfaction it brings.

What do I weep at? 'Nil by Mouth', a movie written and directed by Gary Oldman and 'The War Room', an intense and amazing film directed by Tim Roth. Ray Winstone was in both of them. Even though I knew he was acting in both and even though I read in interviews that he had a very difficult time with his role in The War Room (a film about incest and sexual abuse), he was so good in both movies that I kind of hated him afterwards.

'Once Were Warriors' is another movie that leaves me completely drained. I don't think I'll ever watch it again, it's just too raw of a film. But, it's a very good movie.

When I watched Deadwood there were scenes so deeply touching that I wept without even really being aware that I was crying. A brief scene where Calamity Jane is talking to her dear friend, Wild Bill, as he lays in his grave was very poignant. And two scenes involving the dying Reverand. The scene where the doctor is on his knees first praying then screaming at God to release this poor man from his suffering. And the scene where the tough, hardened Al Swearingen suffocates the Reverand, ending his pain with such compassion and pure love....why he didn't win an Emmy for that is unfathomable.

Surprisingly, Rome, as much as I loved it, did not make me cry, even when horrible things happened. I think it's because the terrible parts of life were handled in such a pragmatic way. One scene did make me tear up, which kind of surprised me. It was the look on Lucius' face when he was watching Titus fight for his life in the arena. That look of helplessness, horror and sorrow was just so perfect for the moment.