History TearJerker / DearEvanHansen

I don't know if you can tell but this is just me pretending to know \\''

I don't know if you can tell but this is just me pretending to know\\''

I don't know if you can tell but this is me pretending to know\\
But this is me just pretending to know.''

But this is me just me pretending to know.''

** Parental favoritism is hardly "insignificant". It might not ''seem'' big compared to some other reasons, but its far too easy, and far too common, for one to feel inadequate when ''their own parent'' refuses to give them the same love and approval as one or more of their siblings; TheUnfavorite trope exists for a reason.

* After Evan confesses his entire lie online, the next scene makes it very clear that his friendship with Alana is irrevocably ruined. He reads alone in the cafeteria, while every other student, including Alana, [[DeathGlare glares at him]] [[DisappointedWithYou with disappointment.]]

* After Evan confesses his entire lie online, the next scene makes it very clear that his friendship with Alana is irrevocably ruined. He reads alone in the cafeteria, while every other student, including Alana, glares at him with disappointment.

* Evan's last meeting with Connor at the school cafeteria. While Connor is still foul-mouthed, he is seen to be much more gentle and kinder, offering Evan a signature for his cast. And then it all goes to hell when Connor reads Evan's printed therapy letter, [[BigBrotherInstinct being enraged at the mention of Zoe]]. This causes Connor to angrily accuse Evan of wanting to see Connor freak out and give definitive proof to him that he is basically a freak in the school. The tears come from what could have been; if Connor didn't see Evan's therapy letter, a genuine friendship could have been formed between the two due to their similar "invisibility" at school. Instead, we see these hopes go crashing down with every word Connor yells at Evan. And even worse, this therapy letter is implied as the trigger for Connor's suicide.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dearevanhansentearjerker.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''[[BSODSong ♫ Words fail, words fail\\
There's nothing I can say. ♫]]'']]

* In general, the portrayal of Evan's anxiety is turned UpToEleven. Evan struggles to breathe at several points, he's barely able to stand, and it's clear that his fight-or-flight response is kicking in at certain moments, like when Connor shouts at him in the hallway.

[[FailureIsTheOnlyOption Just to tumble every time.]] ♫''

** Finally, Evan sings the final portion of the song at the Ellison State Park. That moment begins with him sitting alone on a bench, which is somber in itself. But then, it's interspersed with flashbacks of Evan's accident, where we see his saddened face as he runs across the bridge [[BungledSuicide and the closing of his eyes as he lets himself fall from the tree]]. Not only that, the present day has Evan tearfully ''screaming'' the lyrics, calling himself out for his social anxiety and lies. After that? '''''[[InelegantBlubbering His entire face shrivels up as he falls to his knees on the ground.]]''''' In other words, tears are absolutely guaranteed from any viewer watching this socially anxious boy beat himself up for his failures.

-->'''Evan:''' Do you hate me? You should. ''(Voice breaks) You should.'' If you knew who I am, just how ''broken'' I am.

-->''♫ [[HopeSpot High above, a streak of sunlight]],\\
And a wall too tall to climb.\\
All the reaching, all the wanting,\\
Just to tumble every time. ♫''

** Finally, Evan sings the final portion of the song at the Ellison State Park. It's interspersed with flashbacks of Evan's accident, where we see his saddened face as he runs across the bridge [[BungledSuicide and the closing of his eyes as he lets himself fall from the tree]]. Not only that, the present day has Evan tearfully ''screaming'' the lyrics, calling himself out for his social anxiety and lies. After that? '''''[[InelegantBlubbering His entire face shrivels up as he falls to his knees on the ground.]]''''' In other words, tears are absolutely guaranteed in this entire scene.

* [[TheElevenOClockNumber "Words Fail".]] It's a masterclass of how to take an already sad song and make it even sadder. Evan is crying while singing the entire song, and he even goes off-sync at times. And the camera soaks in every ounce of emotion present on Creator/BenPlatt's face.

* Alana finally confronting Evan about the inconsistencies in his story is difficult to watch due to Alana's facial expression and voice almost ''begging'' for the whole thing to be genuine, and the whole thing is punctuated by Alana's ArmorPiercingQuestion to Evan.