David Sedaris discusses the impact of film on people's perceptions of love and life in "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim." He suggests that while movies romanticize relationships, they can lead viewers to make unhealthy comparisons between their own experiences and the idealized portrayals on screen. This can result in discontent, as individuals wonder why they cannot achieve similar happiness.

Moreover, Sedaris points out that these unattainable narratives often remain untouched, which contributes to the allure of other genres, such as vampire tales and martial-arts films. These genres provide escape from the real-world complexities of love and personal experience, maintaining their popularity as they allow audiences to indulge in fantasy rather than confront their realities.