Does It Have to be Fake to be Real?

"Deconstruction" is the post modern approach to all constructions or interpretations of reality.  It has both a positive and negative pole. On the positive, it says examine texts for ways in which they undermine themselves or seek to manipulate the reader. Thus deconstruction can play a positive role in critical thinking about texts and authors, and is especially helpful when applied to yourself.

On the negative side, many post-moderns use deconstruction to reduce everything to power. Thus the deconstructive move sees a power-play behind every text or construction of reality and seeks to expose it. When you point out that deconstruction itself is a power play, many say yes, and more power to me! 

Positive deconstruction can develop a healthy skepticism in us. Negative deconstruction produces cynicism. Post-moderns of the more radical type assume that there's a rip-off behind everything that wishes to be taken seriously or on its own terms. Behind every facade of sincerity lurks a manipulative grab for power. It tries to come to grips with reality by exposing the fakery in everything.

 I was discussing movies with a friend recently and mentioned one of my favorites, which he dismissed as guilty of  sentimentalism because of its happy, romantic ending. He suggested another movie where there was a romantic triangle between a girl and two suitors and the plot built  suspense over which one she would choose. She died before she could declare her choice, but she left a letter to the one she rejected. The letter was never delivered to the rejected suitor, and he was left to believe that his love was not spurned. My friend told me that this was more real than my movie, to which I responded, "What's more real about that?" 

What makes an unhappy, tragic ending more real? Is it more real for someone to be deceived or fulfilled? If the Christian meta-narrative of creation, fall, and redemption is the Truth, then why don't happy, fulfilling endings resonate more than sad ones? Have we imbibed the spirit of the age if we think it has to be fake to be real?