Shrinking: I Cried Watching Harrison Ford’s Emotional Speech In Season 2’s Finale, And The Cast Told Me Why Everyone On Set Was Too

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As a movie critic who has lost loved ones to illness and cancer, I can wholeheartedly say that the final episode of Shrinking‘s second season left me with a rollercoaster of emotions. The scene where Harrison Ford’s character, Paul, stood up to express what he was thankful for during Thanksgiving was nothing short of profoundly moving.

Spoilers for Season 2 of Shrinking are ahead. If you haven’t seen it, you can stream it with an Apple TV+ subscription.

In the final episode of “Shrinking” airing on TV schedules in 2024, we were left with an overwhelming mix of emotions – reasons to weep and reasons to cheer. Yet, it was Harrison Ford’s heartfelt speech expressing gratitude that stirred these feelings all at once. The scene was raw, sincere, and unfiltered, as Paul, Ford’s character, finally let down his guard and shared his deep emotions with everyone. This emotional outpouring left me in tears, and I wasn’t the only one – the entire cast was crying too.

At the Thanksgiving gathering, Paul rose to express his gratitude and, with tears in his eyes, shared that the path ahead would grow more challenging. Yet, despite the hardship he foresees, he couldn’t hide his heartfelt appreciation and affection for everyone present, confessing that he relies on their support. There was no room for doubt or exceptions: Paul’s emotional speech, accompanied by watching Harrison Ford become emotional, struck a profound chord.

For Lukita Maxwell, who plays Alice, it was extra emotional because of her personal connection to Parkinson’s, as she told me the following during an interview with TopMob:

In simpler terms, everyone on the set was shedding tears. My grandmother had died a couple of years ago, and she suffered from Parkinson’s disease. She always kept her feelings about her illness to herself. But when Harrison Ford, who is well-known as an actor, shared his fears and hopes during filming, it created a very touching moment for everyone involved. The emotion was so strong that people started crying.

I completely empathize with Maxwell as I too have experienced the loss of loved ones due to illness and cancer. It can be tough to open up about such difficult experiences, but it’s crucial and beneficial for our wellbeing. Therefore, witnessing Paul muster the courage to share his feelings was incredibly touching.

Additionally, Maxwell shared with me that beyond her personal emotional ties to the event, witnessing Jason Segel, her screen father, become emotionally overcome as Harrison Ford delivered this heartfelt speech was what caused her to break down as well. In simpler terms, she explained that seeing Segel react so strongly during Ford’s speech added to her own emotional response.

Harrison’s acting left me feeling quite emotional, but it was Jason’s reaction to Harrison’s performance that truly brought tears to my eyes.

Watching Jimmy watch Paul also broke me, because he was facing the mortality of this man and mentor whom he adores. Michael Urie also cited that as a reason why he found the moment so touching, because “Jimmy is looking at his mentor and seeing finality.” And that point was also amplified by Urie’s own connection to Ford.

In my conversation with Brian, the actor, he shared with me that Paul’s speech struck an emotional chord with him because it brought to mind Harrison Ford. As a long-time fan of the actor, witnessing Brian deliver what I believe is his finest performance yet, while reflecting on various aspects of his life and acknowledging the “inevitability” of certain events, left me teary-eyed. He eloquently explained this emotional response to me.

I’ve watched nearly all of his films, and I can honestly say that his portrayal of Paul is unmatched – he’s consistently excellent in every role. However, this particular performance stood out as exceptionally profound. Given his age of 82, it’s astonishing to witness his continued vigor without any indications of decline. Yet, there’s a certain poignancy when considering his eventual retirement, and it stirred strong emotions within me.

It’s incredibly touching to see Harrison Ford still acting and flourishing, much like Paul. It’s hard to imagine a world where he’s no longer with us in this capacity. Life has a way of reminding us of its impermanence, and contemplating that thought can stir powerful emotions within us.

In addition to what the speech conveyed, the actor portraying Brian shared a fascinating detail about Henry Ford. He mentioned that unlike other actors who only gave their full performance when the camera was rolling, Ford maintained this level of intensity during each and every take, which is what moved him as well.

On that remarkable day, it was heartwarming not just once, but repeatedly, to see him excel at his tasks. He consistently delivered, even when there wasn’t an audience or cameras watching. His captivating performance provided us with ample opportunities to appreciate his skills.

In essence, this particular scene stands out as one of the most emotionally intense and humorous in the story due to its raw portrayal of Paul’s long-held struggle, a struggle that until now has been hidden within him. Harrison Ford delivered an exceptional performance, often described as his best, which made the moment even more poignant. His openness and expressiveness, traits not usually associated with his character, amplified the power of this heartfelt speech.

In moments like these, “Shrinking” truly stands out among Apple TV+’s top shows, earning my favorite series title of the year. The show masterfully delves into genuine emotions, everyday situations, and personal struggles that resonate with viewers, all while maintaining a compassionate and relatable tone. This heartfelt scene where Paul expresses what he’s thankful for is just one of many tear-jerking instances that exemplify this approach perfectly.

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2024-12-26 02:37