For years, the romantic comedy was declared dead. In reality, it had just grown up. The 40-something rom-com has emerged as a thriving sub-genre, moving away from "will they/won't they" tropes toward "can they make it work despite their baggage?"

Dating in your 40s is a different sport. It is "XXTRA" because the stakes are higher and the bullshit detectors are sharper. You are not looking for a project. You are looking for a partner. If they play games, you are out. If they don’t know how to regulate their emotions, you are out. You require emotional intelligence, financial stability, and a good sense of humor about the fact that you both probably have weird sleep schedules and digestive issues.