To give you an idea of how sad this movie is, certain movie theaters actually gave out free tissue packets to attendees during its original theatrical run. Suffice to say, this is a very, very sad movie.
WARNING: Spoilers are unmarked.
- The setup alone: Two people are madly in love, and one of them is murdered. The victim then becomes a ghost who must watch helplessly as she grieves and, later, is stalked.
- The dying man in the hospital. Doctors try to save him but fail, something that Sam witnesses. Granted, his soul ascends to Heaven, but it's still pretty sad to see. Not helping is the emotional flute music accompanying the scene. Plus, he died relatively young, looking at most in his mid-40s.
- Sam's reaction upon realizing that his friend Carl betrayed him. He spends the whole scene looking as though he wants to vomit and, indeed, you can hear the tears in his voice when he tries to attack him.Sam: You goddammed bastard! WHY?! You were my friend! I had a life, goddamn you! I had a life!
- The Subway Ghost agonizing over his untimely death and accusing Sam of tormenting him in his grief before leaping back onto the passing train. Sam can't help but feel sorry for him, and neither can the audience.Subway Ghost: A drag. Oh, God... I'd do anything for a drag... [voice breaking] Just one drag!!
- Carl's death. As bad as he was, he was actually happy to see Sam again. Sam, on the other hand, feels sorry for Carl despite him earlier taunting him. Mainly because he knows it's not long till the demons drag him to Hell, but also because he didn't know he died.Carl: Sam?Sam: [sadly] Oh, Carl...
- The Japanese version is no better. It's practically Tear Jerker: The Movie and a very Bittersweet Ending to boot.
- Sam proving his presence to Molly by sliding a penny to her by his own will and ability. Her Tears of Joy as she accepts it from him says it all.
- Sam communicating with Molly through Oda Mae, this time by her own will, granting Molly a chance to feel his presence as they repeat their slow dance from earlier in the film. One can only imagine how much all of us have ever wanted to feel the presence of those we've lost again.
- Sam's farewell to Molly, which has become even more heartbreaking since Patrick Swayze's actual death in 2009.
- Their final exchange puts Sam's fate in a more bittersweet perspective: Sam can't live with Molly anymore, but they know that one day, she'll die and they'll be reunited.
- Sam's line, "It's amazing, Molly. The love inside—you take it with you," has tear-jerking power over virtually anyone.
- The simple final shot of the movie's end: Sam walking to Heaven, with the white silhouettes letting him through as they follow. Again, fitting with the real passing of Swayze in 2009.
- Sam's farewell to Oda Mae.Oda Mae: Sam. They're waiting for you, Sam.Sam: I'll miss you. Your mother would be proud.Oda Mae: I'm gonna miss you too, Sam. You're all right.
