Save The Date

Save The Date is a romantic comedy-drama produced by Jordan Horowitz and Michael Huffington in 2012. Directed by Michael Mohan, the movie stars Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Mark Webber, Geoffrey Arend, and Martin Starr.

The film centers around two very different sisters, Sarah and Beth, poignantly portrayed by Caplan and Brie respectively. Sarah is the younger of the two, a wild and free-spirited artist who manages a local independent bookstore. She is known for her casual irreverence and sharp wit, which reflects on her outlook on life and relationships.

On the other hand, Alison Brie's character, Beth, is more of a traditionalist and an uber-organized, meticulous wedding planner who is navigating the landlocked sea of her upcoming nuptials. She is grounded, devoted to her family, and desires stability in her relationships, and her life. The character contrasts play an essential role in providing the audience with a rich exploration of the themes of love, commitment, and independence.

Lizzy Caplan's character Sarah is deeply conflicted between her desire for independence and the societal expectation of settling down. Her longtime boyfriend Kevin, performed by Geoffrey Arend, is an aspiring musician. However, their relationship faces a significant test when an unexpected proposal propels them towards questions of commitment, readiness, and the future they want to share together.

After the fallout, Sarah finds herself falling into a new romance with Jonathan, a sincere and kind-hearted marine biologist, deftly portrayed by Mark Webber. Jonathan’s calm demeanor is a distinct contrast to Kevin's intensity, offering Sarah a different perspective on love and commitment. Their budding romance serves as a cornerstone for Sarah's self-discovery and leads to a significant evolution of her character throughout the movie.

Meanwhile, Beth is the sounding board of her younger sister's capricious love life while simultaneously planning her wedding. Her future husband, Andrew, is brought to life by Martin Starr, who complements Beth's character perfectly as a patient, understanding, and loving partner. Beth and Andrew's relationship offers a counterpoint to Sarah's unstable romantic maneuvers, showing the realistic ebbs and flows of a committed, long-term relationship.

Save The Date is a subtle exploration of the many faces of relationships, personal growth, and the dichotomy of love versus independence. The movie showcases the complications of romantic entanglements and familial relationships without resorting to dramatic clichés and extravagant plot twists. It is not simply about finding the right person but discovering oneself in the process.

Director Michael Mohan does an excellent job of recreating the quirky, slightly offbeat world with an adept cast. The film is also visually appealing, with Sarah's indie comic art punctuating the story and adding a distinctive charm to the overall narrative. The screenplay by Egan Reich and graphic novelist Jeffrey Brown is brilliant, crafting real, relatable, and flawed characters whose lives are marked by uncertainty, tender moments, laughs, and heartaches.

Alison Brie and Lizzy Caplan shine in their performances as the plucky, independent-minded Sarah and the responsible, grounded Beth. Caplan's portrayal of the unpredictable and paradoxical Sarah is impressive, while Brie brings an authentically human earthiness to Beth's collected and nurturing character. The cast's portrayal of their characters and the dynamics of their relationships evokes sincere empathy from viewers without pushing them too hard.

Save The Date may be dressed as a rom-com, but it draws from deeper genres. It manifests the spiraling pangs of relationships and delves into the often-flawed decisions we make in love. The movie doesn't follow the regular Hollywood movie trope, as it forgoes the standard-issue romantic clichés and chooses to reflect on the sometimes messy realities of human bonds.

In conclusion, Save The Date is more than a simple tale of love; it's a heartfelt examination of acceptance, understanding, and corporeal human connections packaged with all the endearing quirks inherent in everyday life. Filled with great performances, a thoughtful script, and relatable circumstances, Save The Date is a film that connects with audiences on a personal level. It leaves viewers pondering the complexities and simplicities of love, commitment, and the choices one makes in the relentless pursuit of happiness.