Alex (Hugh Grant) and Sophie (Drew Barrymore) in the movie MUSIC AND LYRICS are both walking wounded and show how backstory can create wounds or “ghosts” that then haunt the protagonists. SPOILER Alert. Go watch it if you haven’t already. (I love 80’s pop). It has so many funny lines. For more examples of backstory, check out my earlier post Baby Got Backstory. Backstory is what drives the internal conflict preventing two people from getting together.

In MUSIC AND LYRICS, Alex is a has-been popstar from the 1980’s who has the chance to write a song for the top rock star currently, Cora. Only he can’t write lyrics. He writes melodies. Enter Sophie, who spouts lyrics while watering his plants.

Sophie’s Wound

Sophie reveals her “wound” when she thinks she sees her ex-professor and hides. She then sees his book prominently displayed in a bookstore. The protagonist in his book is based on her. And she’s “haunted” by the words he wrote about her: “she was a brilliant mimic . . . but stripped of someone else’s literary clothes, she was a vacant, empty imitation of a writer.”

Later, Cora agrees to do their song and they are at a restaurant celebrating when Sophie’s ex walks in. Sophie flees. Alex joins her in the bathroom and says, “People wait their whole lives to see an ex when things are going really well. It never happens. You could make relationship history.”

Sophie confronts her ex-professor.

And she can’t speak.

As Alex says, “the few syllables you got out were absolutely devastating.”

Alex says that the guy is a complete jerk, and she shouldn’t allow him to have this hold on her.

Alex’s Wound

What’s Alex’s wound? His childhood friend left their band and chose business over their friendship. And Alex has been stuck in the past ever since.

When Cora commercializes their song, Sophie argues that they should tell her that it undermines the whole meaning of the song. Alex says, “it’s just business. And I wish everything was that clear.”

Sophie, hurt that their relationship doesn’t mean more, turns away.

The Black Moment: The Walking Wounded Emerge

Their black moment is when they both throw harsh truths at each other. Sophie tells him he’s not willing to fight for what he believes in. He tells her that she is like the woman in the book, she can’t work when she’s not inspired, but life is not a fairytale, and sometimes you just have to slog through. Sophie walks out.

The Grand Gesture

She submits the lyrics (“I need inspiration, not just another negotiation.”) He sings a solo he wrote for her, saying he’s sorry and asking her to give him another chance. And he persuades Cora to sing the song he and Sophie write, without the orgasmic sex scene introduction.

How do they Conquer their Wounds?

Sophie manages to write her hit single lyrics even when upset, and Alex writes a new song for her and stands up for the right approach for their song.

Let’s Talk

I hope you are doing well. Have you seen MUSIC & LYRICS? What are your favorite lines? What romcoms do you recommend watching?

My favorite lines are:

“Love lost, love found, love lost again.”

“This is starting to sound a little bit like luggage, but good.”

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“My god, I’ve suffered for my art.”

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And of course their exchange about music and lyrics, ending with:

“But then, as you get to know the person, that’s the lyrics. Their story. Who they are underneath. It’s the combination of the two that makes it magical.”