Reality or Romance?

I Hate Valentine's Day is a cute little movie that was just released by IFC. It reunites the "Big Fat" chemistry of John Corbitt and Nila Vardalos (she also directs) through a kitchy little plot-line about rules, dating and romance.

This totally flighty, but completely likeable woman in her early thirties owns a flower shop in Brooklyn (lovin it already...) she's been disappointed by men time and time again and as a result has created a five date rule. She believes that happiness and romance lasts for only about five dates. After the five she lets the guy leave the situation and she remains happy. No tears. No expectations. Just fun. I think in many ways this is a brilliant concept. Of course the movie picks up as she finds an incredibly sexy restaurant owner that is (suprise) single, not crazy and with only a limited amount of baggage (yes girls, this is a fictional character).

She tells him her rules. The kicker is, she is looking for romance. Five dates can be as long or short as they want to be, but he knows that ultimately there needs to be romance involved. With out giving away the entire movie, they both fall for each other through a series of dates in about three months, but miscommunication creates a whole world of doubt and tears. In the end they both realize how much they just enjoy being together, put rules and expectation aside and find each other again.

Here's my point. This was a movie about being romanced. The main characters idea of romance was barely a reality. Her idea of romance ultimately pushed the "right" guy away. So it makes me wonder, what is romance? Is it real or just a way for a real situation with someone to become as fictional as possible. Lately I wonder if these movies mimic real life or if real life tries too hard to mimic these movies. What is romance?

What do you think romance really is? Speak up, I'm dying to hear other theories here; tell me in a comment it's anonymous...