I think people have asked, “Who do you think is today’s Nora Ephron?” I don’t know if there is an answer to this. I don’t think there is one. I think she was very unique in what she did. I think there are other female directors, and particularly people of color who are female directors, who are pushing things in different ways. Although Nora is loved, her work also had limitations.

Your book traces the different eras of romantic comedy, from the zany comedies of the Golden Age to the era of sexual liberation, including that dormant period before Nora Ephron came on the scene. What era of romantic comedy do you think we’re in right now?

I feel like we’re in the age of buddy romantic comedies. Maybe that’s exactly what I’m thinking today, but I feel like we’ve seen a lot of romantic comedies between senior friends. They are hybrid romantic comedies, but also films about female friendships. The fabulous four Or Pompoms Or Book club. I think in the last few years it’s become really fun. But also, beyond that, Someone great was, I guess you could also say, the breakup romantic comedy, which is also reminiscent of Nora because Heartburnyou could say, is a breakup romantic comedy. Someone greatfor example, it’s such a beautiful romantic breakup movie, and it’s also a movie about friendship.

Yeah, definitely! What are you talking about with my friend’s romantic comedy, I think Take revenge is also a very nice addition to this. Even though the two main characters are never actually together, it seems very homoerotic. And then Hunt the dolls is also a very good example.

Yeah. I didn’t see Hunt the dolls again, but I need it.

You haven’t done it?

I know! It’s on Peacock. I’ll watch it.

I saw it in theaters, which is actually a good segue into my next question. I feel like what’s also very different today is that, with a few exceptions, there aren’t many blockbuster hits that are romantic comedies anymore. Do you think what also made Nora Ephron’s films so special was the fact that they came out at a time when everyone was going to the movies and it was a shared experience?