I loved this and I think you are exactly right. Forget the genre. Look for the elements in any story, a good story about anything else. I used to love romcoms but I thought I'd, as you put it, "aged out" of them. (Now that's a sad statement, I guess). What I was really missing were the elements you laid out so crisply and intelligently. Example of a one that recently reminded me of why I like a good rom com: Four to Dinner, an Italian movie I found on Netflix.
I loved this and I think you are exactly right. Forget the genre. Look for the elements in any story, a good story about anything else. I used to love romcoms but I thought I'd, as you put it, "aged out" of them. (Now that's a sad statement, I guess). What I was really missing were the elements you laid out so crisply and intelligently. Example of a one that recently reminded me of why I like a good rom com: Four to Dinner, an Italian movie I found on Netflix.
Immediately going to investigate Four to Dinner!! I have a soft spot for awful Netflix rom coms. See also: Virgin River.
I love loathing Virgin River. I got through the first few seasons with friends who watched it with me but have lost the thread.