Probably one of the ones with Kool in it, is there one where the Pop and Larry are arguing in front of him? That one.

Saddest part for me is when Kevin asks his dad why he has to see a psychiatrist. It hits close to home

This message has been deleted.

Yeah mine is definitely Garry's call to his Dad, although there are quite a few heartbreaking scenes in this.
But Joaqun Phoenix acts it so well (not like any other child actor I think, except his brother before him), with such depth of emotion you feel the hurt coming off him in waves.

LOL. There is no way to "force" someone to stay in town, go to rehab, or work off their debt. Even people that go to rehab often don't actually do the work they need to do to get into recovery, especially if they are there under pressure from family. You can't do these things for someone else. Frank recognized and accepted this. He address what he COULD control: what happened to Cool.
You must be the change you seek in the world. Gandhi

Making Larry stay against his true will wouldn't have helped, just caused more problems and probably more hurt for Cool when Larry finally checked out for good.

I totally agree with you on that scene. I just saw the movie again a couple days ago, and I am still angry about that scene. Earlier in the movie, Larry was complaining about how his brothers went on to have successful lives, and he thought the only way he could catch up to them was to invent this image of globe-trotting entrepreneur.
His dad was actually going to give him the chance to completely erase his past, and run the family business, and stupid Larry turns it down. Larry is addicted to chaos.
I have to say that I am also a little upset at Frank too. I think Frank could have used a little more tough love, and forced Larry to stay in town, go to rehab, and work off his debt. When Larry flees to Chile to escape the mob, they may come after Frank.
Nevertheless the look of both anger and disappointment on Frank's face really makes that a powerful scene.

A dope trailer is no place for a kitty.

I hope Cool becomes a doctor and his grandparents get to see him graduate and tells Nathan and his perfect little daughter to go f themselves.

It was sad, and happy.
When Cool says "is he coming back?" and Grandpa says "no. Do you want to stay with us?"
And Cool brightens up just a little bit, and nods. Grandpa says "Good."
That was the best!

I agree that the Grandpa realizing he's losing his son is the saddest scene. Even if the gangsters don't kill him, you know he won't ever come back. I hope Cool and the Grandparents make a happy life in spite of how they came together.

I think when larrys dad tells him that he will help him out with all the money He owes but on the condition he comes to work with him. Then larry has some stupid idea of going overseas again and his dad just rolls over and let's him go, the whole time knowing he'll probably never be returning.

Double that. As a father, I can't imagine how any parent could walk away from their child.

The saddest scene by far for me is where Helen tells Todd "I guess a boy Gary's age really needs a man around," and Todd replies, "Yeah, well, depends on the man. I had a man around once. He used to wake me up by flicking lit cigarettes at my head and saying, 'Get up, ahole, and make me my breakfast.'" He then goes on to say that a person needs a license to drive a car or even to catch a fish, but that "they'll let anyahole be a father." Child abuse = extremely sad. (I like that this movie wasn't afraid to address issues other movies were/are, and also that it remarkably hasn't dated at all since 1989, by the way.)

That scene and the scene where larry abandons cool

Helen, Julie and Gary were my favorite family in this movie. I've always had a soft spot for Martha Plimpton, and Joaquin was such a natural in this. Add goofball Keanu into the mix, and their dynamic is the most fun to watch.

Yes I agree - especially when he said 'no dad, it's Gary - your other son' - just so sad.

Steve Martin's dad is the one who says he's a beep father, and Steve (Gil) just grins.
Great scene! I always cheer!
I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

when steve martin is admitting he's a crappy dad/husband/employee & his dad doesn't say he's wrongjust grins.
'It's time for the human race to enter the solar system.'-Dan Quayle

Yeah, just awful. And Dianne Weist totally added even more depth to the scene with her reactiontotally heartbroken for him and unable to do anything for him in that moment. Yikes. Talk about some stellar acting though!
"It's Minnie Pearl's murder weapon."

That had to be the saddest scene, when his face just crumples like that, and he has to turn around and tell his mom "he doesn't think it's such a good idea."
His dad deserved to have everything in his office smashed to bits.