Why are misunderstandings so important in romantic comedies?

Misunderstandings create a conflict that can usually be
pretty easily resolved.  In order to have a good story there has be a good conflict, and
it is even better if the reader (or viewer) doesn't see an easy way for the conflict to
resolve itself.  But in the end, we want the happy ending that romantic comedies are
known for, so we keep reading or wathcing to see, not IF the story will resolve itself,
but HOW the story will resolve itself.  That is a huge element in the enjoyment of these
types of novels and movies.   When all is said and done, it doesn't take much to make a
misunderstanding into a sense of understanding, so we are kind of along for the ride --
enjoying the moments of dramatic irony, situational irony, near misses, further
complications, moments of near hopelessness, and finally, an interesting and satisfying
to the end of the problematic misunderstanding that can bring about the happy ending we
KNEW was coming eventually.