By comparison, let's look at a better example. How about, oh, let's say... The Empire Strikes Back. Exactly how much romantic dialogue is there between Han and Leia? Hans seduction of Leia, and her resistance, are so much more succinct than Episode II, and that much more bearable. After Lucas' notoriously over-restrained emotions in Episode I, he went and gushed it up in the next one. Balance, George, balance!

So I say cut it. Even montage it to an abbreviated Across the Stars. Something.