The Film Yap Lexicon is comprised of terminology for certain cinematic phenomena that occur often enough to form discernible patterns — typically events or circumstances that are patently ludicrous to customs of narrative or known science and, on occasion, the result of misguided choices by filmmakers. Although these terms could take their name from numerous films, they are principally derived from the prime examples of this phenomena.
The Romcom Chase
Romantic comedies, especially those of a slapstick nature, are typically centered around two people "chasing" each other in a metaphorical sense, even if they don't realize it. In romantic comedies, filmmakers often turn this figurative chase into a literal one, where one of the two would-be lovers fight or otherwise decide to split. Eventually, the other decides they can't live without this person and racing against time to prevent their true love from marrying someone else/going on vacation/taking That Great Job in New Mexico, and a chase ensues, usually with comically catastrophic consequences (often involving epic traffic snarls or associated chaos), and almost always ends with the two reunited lovers making out in a place that seems romantic, such as the middle of a busy street full of traffic accidents (imagine for a minute the feeling you would have if you're in a traffic jam caused by someone who just caused a series of car accidents so they can get to their beloved, then the two stand in front of all the chaos snogging like a couple of high school students while you're trying to get to work/lunch/home/your kids' day care).
Of course, after the movie ends, those characters move in together, get married, have kids, and hate each other for the rest of their lives, with one party always resenting that they left their REAL true love/missed that once-in-a-lifetime vacation/That Great Job for THIS?
See "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," "Imagine Me and You," and dozens of other romantic comedies. This device was lampooned in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."
Comment below to add your own instances of “The Romcom Chase,” or offer new Film Yap Lexicon entries at lexicon@thefilmyap.com!