“A kiss may not be the truth but it is what we wish were true.” –Steve Martin, L.A. Story

I loved this movie’s romance as a teenager. So overblown, so intense, yet so sincere. I mean, it makes sincere use of a number of Enya songs, for crying out loud! This was in the very early 90s, when such sincerity was still possible. Today I also see the film as yet another tale about the depth, power and primacy of a white man’s feelings. Written by Martin, for Martin, so that we could all see him smolder in a chair and summon the storm. But I still love its earnestness, too. 

On the song “Transatlantacism,” Ben Gibbard sings:

The rhythm of my footsteps crossing flatlands to your door
Have been silenced forevermore 
The distance is quite simply much too far for me to row
It seems farther than ever before

But on “Exile,” the song used during the climax of L.A. Story, Enya sings,

Out of these dreams, a boat
I will sail home to you

Dreams so powerful that they are made manifest. Like Harris’ feelings changing the weather. Or like the actions we can actually take, the choices we can make, in pursuit of the things we want. 

Wouldn’t that be something if we wanted the same things, if we dreamed the same dreams?