The Majestic

So last night I stayed up till 1am watching The Majestic (with Jim Carey, 2001) over at Harrison's house.  Besides being almost technically perfect in the way it advances a complicated plot and stellar acting from the ensemble cast, it weaves the narrative of one man's life into the meta-narrative of the 1950's: the red scare and life one decade on from WWII.  

There is a scene toward the end of the movie (spoiler alert** But if you haven't seen the movie over the past 7 years...) a train brings Peter back to a town where he has left a lot of people hurt, dissapointed, and feeling tricked.  He has gone on to sacrifice his career to do the right thing, but his relationships are still in disarray. He sends a telegram ahead to the woman he loves saying, "Dear Adelle, I have a question to ask you and something to return to you.  If you want to see me, meet me at the train station, otherwise I'll just leave the items at the station and be on my way."  He doesn't know if she'll be there or not and as the train ride goes on you can see the tension build.  Will she show or will he lose her forever?  

As the train pulls into the station he doesn't see Adelle, he sees the whole entire town. Everyone shows up to reclaim him as their own.  And everyone is going nuts!  "You have a home here" is the message loud and clear.  

And I can't help but wonder... when my life is over will I arrive to the homecoming I didn't expect.  Thinking it will be just me and Jesus, I've phoned ahead..."Dear Jesus, I have some questions to ask you and some things to tell you.  If you want to see me, meet me at the train station, otherwise I'll just be on my way."  But as the train rolls in and the anticipation mounts, I don't see Jesus at all.  Because he has invited all of heaven and everyone is going nuts!  "You have a home here" is the message loud and clear...

I'm heading home 

Yeah, but I'm not so sure 

That home is a place 

You can still get to by train    

- Jon Foreman, Southbound Train