I'm working on a romantic comedy script and am realizing how difficult it is to do these days. Why? Because a romantic comedy relies on reasons to keep the lovers apart until near the end of the story. And these days, there are fewer obstacles to work with.
In some of the classic stories it was relatively easy to create misunderstandings--after all, Juliet couldn't just text Romeo to tell him there's been a change of plans.
Whether family members will approve of the match is pretty much out the window nowadays, too.
Then there was the issue of maintaining one's virginity, we can forget about that one.
Also, in the old days (even the 1950's) it was kind of a scandal to break an engagement or, God forbid, change your mind at the last minute about marrying somebody.
Furthermore, these days the audience will blame the girl for being involved with the "Bellamy" in the first place (that's the boring character she's with instead of the exciting guy she meets--named after actor Ralph Bellamy, who specialized in those roles for a while).
Wait a minute, what if he's a hypochondriac and she has swine flu? Yes, a story ripped from today's headlines!
(OK, I'd better go easy on the Red Bull...)
