Kleenex alert.

[Photographer]

This is easily the most powerful commercial of the year, if not ever.

The spot is an advert for German supermarket chain Edeka (English subs), which, like most great commercials, has very little to do with the actual product or service being advertised. It’s racked up almost 20 million views in three days with unanimous review – “I can’t believe I’m sitting here bawling over a supermarket commercial.”

We, too.

Without giving away too much of the plot, the narrative revolves around an Opa whose family is always too busy to see him during the holidays. It features a significant twist of unparalleled badass-ery and elderly man who cried wolf, followed by the message ‘time to come home’.

It will make you call your parents/grandparents/relatives/distant cousins/cants and dogs immediately – after you’re done shedding a few tears.

Seriously, watch it and try not to cry:

[beveeheart]

1. Didn't think I would, but

[bkkyosemite]

2. I saw this on my FB

Smart man

[DFW]

3. One of the most successful commercials here in Germany this year

EDEKA is a great little chain of food markets anyway. They always get in fresh fish, and have their own little bakeries that offer fresh stuff throughout the day, along with hot coffee and tea and places to sit or stand if you want something on the run.

They must treat their employees well, too, as they're always in a good mood--not a given in Germany. My wife likes shopping there on days when the farmers market isn't open. Her only complaint is that it's hard to find a parking space because everyone else likes shopping there, too.

The guy who plays the old man has been a stable on German TV series for decades. No one knows his name, but everybody here recognized him immediately.

[OilBurnerBob]

4. Translation

Weihnachtsclip (Christmas clip)

heimkommen (homecoming)

[handmade34]

5. :-)

watched a movie last night that I thought of here...

What We Did On Our Holiday... a comedy and not Christmas but funny and sweet and a message of "time to come home"