on dreaming somewhere in time
Last night I watched one of my favourite films, Somewhere in Time. Yes, I am a romantic. I used to describe myself as a hopeful romantic; I’m pretty sure I am now officially hopeless.
But I digress. This film is one of a handful of movies I watch when certain moods take over. Some of the others are: The English Patient, Out of Africa, Young Frankenstein, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Some Like It Hot, and Annie Hall.
The story is based on the 1975 science fiction novel by Richard Matheson (I Am Legend), Bid Time Return. It’s a tale of love that transcends time, mostly takes place in 1912, and stars the late, great Christopher Reeve. It also features Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. What’s not to love?
This film captures my dreams, my longings, my romantic frustrations, and my eternal hope. And it has my undivided attention while it’s on. As do all the films on my list.
Many years ago, I went through a phase of having recurring dreams about Mr. Reeve. They were such lovely dreams and I always awoke feeling happy. These were not erotic. We were intimate, but our affection went beyond the physical.
After some time, Chris Noth was featured. At the time, the only program I knew him from was the original Law and Order. This was way before he became Carrie Bradshaw’s Mr. Big. He was my next door neighbour and helpful and simply wonderful.
Some more time passed, and the man of my dreams was now Harrison Ford, in the guise of Indiana Jones.
When I was in therapy, dealing with some of my issues (see previous blog posts), my therapist suggested that these dreams all featured strong men that save lives on a regular basis: Superman, a homicide detective, and a kick ass archeologist/Nazi fighter. As soon as she said that, it all clicked. I was hoping, or at least my subconscious was hoping, that I would be saved. But from what? My life was okay. I had a good job, decent money, a cutay moi (friend speak) flat, good friends, and family close by in suburgatory. I think I needed saving from my past. Or my present love life.
My romantic life was always somewhat interesting. Perhaps, these dreams were how I processed my frustrations in that area. When I was involved with someone, the dreams would stop, only to start up again after we broke up.
Eventually, these dreams stopped all together. Maybe I was feeling more calm or resigned or something. Perhaps I simply outgrew them. I don’t think I’ll ever know for sure.
To this day, I still have crushes on the former men of my dreams. And I am still very saddened by how Christopher Reeve’s life ended. But he handled his injury with class and grace and helped so many, just like Superman would have done.
By coincidence, as I was getting ready for work this morning, WFMT played Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Maybe I’ll have a lovely familiar dream tonight.
The story is based on the 1975 science fiction novel by Richard Matheson (I Am Legend), Bid Time Return. It’s a tale of love that transcends time, mostly takes place in 1912, and stars the late, great Christopher Reeve. It also features Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. What’s not to love?
This film captures my dreams, my longings, my romantic frustrations, and my eternal hope. And it has my undivided attention while it’s on. As do all the films on my list.
Many years ago, I went through a phase of having recurring dreams about Mr. Reeve. They were such lovely dreams and I always awoke feeling happy. These were not erotic. We were intimate, but our affection went beyond the physical.
After some time, Chris Noth was featured. At the time, the only program I knew him from was the original Law and Order. This was way before he became Carrie Bradshaw’s Mr. Big. He was my next door neighbour and helpful and simply wonderful.
Some more time passed, and the man of my dreams was now Harrison Ford, in the guise of Indiana Jones.
When I was in therapy, dealing with some of my issues (see previous blog posts), my therapist suggested that these dreams all featured strong men that save lives on a regular basis: Superman, a homicide detective, and a kick ass archeologist/Nazi fighter. As soon as she said that, it all clicked. I was hoping, or at least my subconscious was hoping, that I would be saved. But from what? My life was okay. I had a good job, decent money, a cutay moi (friend speak) flat, good friends, and family close by in suburgatory. I think I needed saving from my past. Or my present love life.
My romantic life was always somewhat interesting. Perhaps, these dreams were how I processed my frustrations in that area. When I was involved with someone, the dreams would stop, only to start up again after we broke up.
Eventually, these dreams stopped all together. Maybe I was feeling more calm or resigned or something. Perhaps I simply outgrew them. I don’t think I’ll ever know for sure.
To this day, I still have crushes on the former men of my dreams. And I am still very saddened by how Christopher Reeve’s life ended. But he handled his injury with class and grace and helped so many, just like Superman would have done.
By coincidence, as I was getting ready for work this morning, WFMT played Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Maybe I’ll have a lovely familiar dream tonight.
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:-*
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