Tales from the Darkside (TV Series) The Tear Collector (1985) User Reviews

No explanation to any of the confusing elements ruin what could've been a great episode.

[TOMNEL · 5/10 · 24 July 2008]

I don't quite get what they were going for here, but this is an entertaining episode, if nothing else. It seems like it would make a better Amazing Stories episode than Tales from the Darkside due to it's lack of any violent or scary content and it's focus on heavy handed drama. The whole episode felt like it would lead to something, but it didn't, nor does it explain itself. It's just a bizarre plot left to the imagination of the viewer, as well as the writer of the episode I'm sure.

Prudence (Jessica Harper) is a sensitive woman who just can't help from crying. She meets Ambrose (Victor Garber) a psychiatrist who collects her tears, along with other peoples', in a perfume bottle that he is constantly smelling. And that's about it for the plot. Nothing happens.

I'm fine with open ended endings, leaving portions of stories to the imagination, but this episode is just ridiculous. It's like the writer came up with an interesting premise, and a couple good characters, and just ended the writing there. Prudence is one of Darkside's deepest leads, and Ambrose is one of the show's most mysterious antagonists (I guess you can call him that), so why were they put in such an unfinished episode. The tacked on ending made no sense either, and I'm quite confused on how this end relates to anything that previously happened.

This episode is entertaining, but ultimately vague, frustrating and confusing. Maybe an extra 5 minutes would have added some to the plot and stretched this into a good episode.

My rating: ** out of ****. 30 mins. TVPG

The Tear Collector

[Scarecrow-88 · 4/10 · 6 June 2012]

A lady has always been sad and shed countless tears, not wanting to, trying to hold them back, until she meets a handsome, enigmatic, and seemingly sympathetic "tear collector"…he allows her to talk about the pain and willingly release the tears into a swan vial for storage in a special chamber where many other vials are kept, from many other sad people, mourning deeply from the depths of their soul. The tears actually contain human misery and grief, achingly sounding from the vials once opened. Meh. Nothing memorable, even though it has a weird vibe to it. Prudence (Jessica Harper; Suspiria) believes Ambrose Cavender (Victor Garber; Alias) cares about her; she falls for him, although he just wants her tears and nothing more. Prudence feels like she was just used, once he's done, Ambrose moves on to the next sad soul in need of help. That's it. Nothing about this episode (save a strange cameo from none other than Eric Bogosian as a junkie who berates Harper while she's walking down a street) is that spectacular and it all ends with Prudence perhaps finding a happiness that has been missing because of the tears.

Senseless, With No Explanation

[claudio_carvalho · 4/10 · 12 March 2022]

Prudence is a woman that cannot stop crying and has only one friend, Gretchen, who lives with her. She has also difficulties to relate with other people. One day, Prudence stumbles upon a man named Ambrose Cavender, and he invites her to visit him. Soon Prudence learns that he is a tear collector and she has an unrequited crush on him.

"The Tear Collector" is the worst episode of "Tales from the Darkside" so far, despite the cult Jessica Harper in the lead role. The plot is senseless, and with no explanation. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "The Tear Collector"

A drag and one of the more duller episodes because it had no horror or suspense elements.

[blanbrn · 4/10 · 30 March 2009]

This "TFTD" episode titled "The Tear Collector" is one that you will not find very good. To me the episode is a drag it's not like many others in the series as it has no horror or suspense elements as if you watch the series you know most episodes take a wicked twist. Anyway it centers around a young woman named Prudence who's always sad she cries all the time. Then one day she bumps into a man who's strange and has a hobby collecting tears! In the end it turns out both are happy as each have benefited. Overall not one of the better episodes skip it. Because as was so common in the series most episodes ended with a horror twist, this one didn't.

Somber, enigmatic episode

[pineywoodsmiss · 7/10 · 13 January 2008]

The main character, Prudence, suffers from depression and cries a lot. Unfortunately, everyone tells her to "stop crying!" which makes her feel like a lonely misfit. One day she is walking down the street and a homeless man begins to harass her. As she flees the homeless man she runs into a somber yet handsome man - Ambrose - who is dressed in a nice suit and drives a fancy car. He tells her that she is the person he has been looking for and invites her to visit him. Prudence goes to his house and finds the door unlocked so she steps inside and begins to explore. Is it a house or a cozy office? She finds a room with a fainting couch, a chair, a table and a lamp - much like a psychiatrists' office. Then she sees a glowing door and tries to peep through the keyhole. Ambrose shows up and tells her that he is a tear collector and he wants to collect her tears in a small glass vial shaped like a swan. She agrees to let him collect her tears and then as she is leaving, Ambrose thrusts some money into her hand, telling her to come back soon. She does... This is a strange episode that leaves unanswered questions. Yet the atmosphere and characters are wonderfully somber and enigmatic. This one makes you keep thinking about the episode for a long time after you see it.

Why film the unfilmable?

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 18 May 2015]

THE TEAR COLLECTOR is another pointless episode of TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE. There isn't even any attempt at horror in this one so you wonder who greenlit the script in the first place. Certainly having just sat and watched it through I'm left scratching my head at the sheer worthlessness of it all.

The one thing the episode has going for it is lead actress Jessica Harper, famous for her role in Dario Argento's horror flick SUSPIRIA. She gives a typically lively performance as a neurotic woman who can't stop crying. It's not a great role for an actress but with Harper's talent she does well. Eventually the woman meets up with a guy who literally collects tears, so everybody's happily - apart from the viewer. Watch out for an early cameo from Eric Bogosian as a street junkie.

A different tale

[BandSAboutMovies · 7/10 · 24 September 2022]

Directed and co-written by John Drimmer, who wrote it with Geoffrey Loftus from a story by Donald Olson, this stars Jessica Harper - who must wonder why she keeps being in cult shows that only I care about. I mean, yes, everyone loves Suspiria, but also Phantom of the Paradise, Shock Treatment and Pennies from Heaven? - as Prudence, a depressed woman who can't stop crying and her relationship with Ambrose Cavender (Victor Garber, one of those actors who is just about everything and you can never place them), a man who collects her tears.

So many of the reviews online hate this episode because it's not really horror. That's why I liked it, as beyond being well-filmed, it's also a meditation on the true darkest side of life, being all about depression and loneliness.

Plus - Eric Bogosian as an angry junkie!

Isn't this meant to be a horror series? Not judging by crap like this...

[poolandrews · 1/10 · 28 September 2007]

Tales from the Darkside: The Tear Collector starts as Prudence (Jessica Harper) is harassed by a homeless guy (Eric Bogosian) & begins to cry in the street, she is approached by a mysterious man named Ambrose Cavender (Victor Garber) who gives her his card which says he is a 'collector' & ask's her to visit him. Prudence decides to accept his invitation & find out more about him, Ambrose reveals to her that he collects tears...

Episode 16 from season 1 this Tales from the Darkside story originally aired in the US during February 1985, directed by John Drimmer this is probably the worst single episode from an anthology TV series I have ever seen. The script by Geoffrey Loftus is simply awful & in my opinion is more of a light hearted fantasy that has an ending so sickly sweat that Disney would have been embarrassed to make it. I'm sorry but what it comes down to is that this is not horror, it's not sci-fi & shouldn't be part of a series called Tales from the Darkside. There's no twist, there's virtually no story, nothing is explained or makes any real sense, it's dull, it's boring & utterly forgettable. I really didn't like any aspect of it at all.

This one looks alright I suppose but in the end that really doesn't make any difference since it's so crap. There's absolutely no horror here at all, it's not scary & what's worse it doesn't even try to be scary or horrific. How did this episode get made? Who OK'd it? I don't understand why this is part of a horror themed TV series, I just don't. The acting is OK but nothing special.

The Tear Collector is exactly what it sounds like, it's about someone who collects tears. Dull, dull, dull. Complete rubbish, do yourself a favour & take a 20 minute nap instead.

Jessica Harper

[shellytwade · 4/10 · 19 January 2022]

I'm always happy to watch anything starring Jessica Harper (Suspiria and Phantom of the Paradise), so her starring in this is definitely a plus. Beyond that this is sort of a ludicrous idea that should have never been made to begin with.

Unusual non-horror episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 26 April 2013]

Lovely young lady Prudence (well played with touching vulnerability by Jessica Harper) suffers from severe depression and can't seem to stop crying. Prudence finds an unlikely solution to her problem in the form of Ambrose Cavender (a smooth portrayal by Victor Garber), a charismatic, yet mysterious man who collects tears. Director John Drimmer, who also co-wrote the peculiar and interesting script with Geoffrey Loftus, relates the odd story at a gradual pace and ably crafts a brooding and enigmatic melancholy mood. A somber meditation on the sadness and loneliness of basic human existence, this offbeat outing not only makes a serious central statement about the link between sorrow and happiness, but also possesses an intriguing ambiguity that gives the plot an extra haunting resonance. Moreover, this is a rare episode with a positive ending. Linda Lee Johnson contributes a lively turn as Prudence's perky gal pal Gretchen while Eric Bogosian has a memorably menacing bit as a hostile junkie. A welcome and refreshing change of pace show.

Dry Your Eyes, Someone Will Come Into Your Life Soon

[buckikris · 9/10 · 22 June 2016]

I understand some of the negative reviews this episode has. I actually liked it. Tales From The Darkside is not suppose to be all about horror, but also the strange; and unusual. This episode is about Prudence, a depressed woman who cries all the time. Maybe she is lonely, horrible at relationships, who knows? One day she meets Ambrose Cavender, a man who collects tears for a living; and pays well for them. She meets Ambrose for her tear collecting secession, and he pays her. He also gives her a tour of his collection from time. He forgets to tell her in the beginning once vial is up her secession is over for good. When she goes back to get her vial of tears, she wants them. He begs her not to take them, this is a part I have to watch again to get it. When she walks out of his apartment she crosses the street and almost gets hit. A man from the taxi gets out and asks if she is O.K., the two meet up and hit it off. After the she hims him she is the happiest she has ever been. The reason why I like this episode is I can relate. I have been in her shoes, but I'm am not a crier. I just don't hit it off with members of the opposite sex that well. I just thought it was a touching; but somewhat strange episode.

strange beautiful and ultimately moving

[marcgreenman · 9/10 · 24 August 2020]

A woman falls in love with a handsome man who turns out to have an extremely strange habit: he likes to collect people's tears, believing them to have magical qualities. tears are indeed precious and impossible to take back. while appearing to love her, his manipulations are designed for no other purpose than to serve his weird obsession. the woman is almost destroyed by this liar and is is sad to see her being broken down; one wonders exactly how she is going to save herself, fortunately she does turn the tables on him in the end.