I finished writing a romcom spec earlier this year, and watched, oh, 30 romcoms during the writing process. I totally agree with the above statements. There's formulaic and then there's hitting your audience over the head with obvious, grating stories.

One of my fave recent romcoms is Ghost Town — they never even come close to kissing in that film, but you still know that they end up happily ever after.

(And, of course, Ricky Gervais can do no wrong in my eyes.)

Writers are just as much to blame. Specifically new writers. "Save the Cat" is published and suddenly every new writer's work can be plotted perfectly per his beat sheet. No originality, no foresight, no attempt at thinking outside the box for fear it won't be judged professional when in reality it's just the same, old crap.

It's just another guide, people, not a living, breathing bible on how you must write! Lord forbid you surprise anyone that Blake didn't spell out for you on page 59.

I have to agree with Maryam, current rom-coms have become too formulaic, too by the numbers. And two out there. It's like the writers are trying too hard to be original. So they are like 'what's the wildest, craziest thing we can do with these people'

What makes Ghost Town work is that it isn't presented as a Rom Com. It's about a guy that sees dead people and wants to get rid of them. The romantic part is the second layer. Having it like that gives the characters and story a little depth.