“The job of a rom-com,” I said, “is to give you a simulated feeling of falling in love.” Here Charlie blinked, and I found myself wondering if this might be news to him. I went on. “A rom-com should give you a swoony, hopeful, delicious, rising feeling of anticipation as you look forward to the moment when the two leads, who are clearly mad for each other, finally overcome all their obstacles, both internal and external, and get together.”
