Save the Date

is a 2012 American independent romantic comedy-drama film directed by Michael Mohan from a screenplay he co-wrote with Gillian Jacobs.^[1] The film stars Lizzy Caplan as Sarah, a florist skeptical of marriage who recently ended her engagement to a musician in an indie rock band, and Alison Brie as her younger sister Beth, who eagerly accepts a proposal from another band member despite doubts about their compatibility.^[2][3] Their intersecting relationships with the band's members, including Mark Webber as Jonathan and Geoffrey Arend as Lev, highlight tensions in romance, family dynamics, and personal growth amid a backdrop of casual sex, commitment fears, and sibling contrasts.^[1] Premiering at film festivals, it received a limited theatrical release on December 14, 2012, and garnered mixed critical reception, evidenced by a 47% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 30 reviews praising its honest portrayal of relationships but critiquing its uneven pacing and lack of originality.^[4][5] With a modest production reflecting indie sensibilities, the film features supporting performances from actors like Judah Friedlander and Lake Bell, and underscores realistic depictions of modern dating without resorting to formulaic resolutions.^[1][4]

Development and Production

Background and Writing

The screenplay for Save the Date was co-written by graphic novelist Jeffrey Brown, director Michael Mohan, and Egan Reich, with Brown providing key contributions drawn from personal observations of relationships and weddings.^[6][7] Mohan initiated the project by contacting Brown via an email address listed in one of his published books, leading to a collaborative story development that evolved into the film's narrative about romantic indecision and familial bonds.^[8] This marked Mohan's transition from micro-budget short films, such as One Too Many Mornings, to a feature-length production budgeted higher to allow for a more polished exploration of emotional realism.^[9] The writing process prioritized truthful character portrayals over conventional romantic comedy tropes, with Mohan emphasizing iterative revisions to capture authentic emotional "vomit" in dialogue and arcs.^[10][11] An organic focus on the central sisters' contrasting approaches to commitment emerged during scripting, reflecting unintended but central dynamics in the source material's relational themes rather than deliberate structural choices.^[11] Brown, in his screenwriting debut, incorporated elements from his graphic novel style, including understated humor and introspection, while Mohan and Reich refined the script for cinematic pacing ahead of production.^[7] The completed draft positioned the film for entry into the 2012 Sundance Film Festival's U.S. Dramatic Competition, where it received its world premiere on January 22, 2012.^[10]

Pre-production and Casting

The screenplay for Save the Date was initially developed in 2007 but stalled by 2010 following the departure of an earlier director.^[9] Director Michael Mohan undertook a rewrite that year, collaborating remotely with co-writers Jeffrey Brown and Egan Reich while managing a day job that limited progress until his subsequent layoff allowed full focus.^[9] Financing emerged after Mohan's short film Ex-Sex gained traction and amid the success of related projects like The Kids Are All Right, enabling the indie production to move forward with producers Jordan Horowitz, Michael Roiff, and Michael Huffington, alongside executive producer Gary Gilbert.^[9][12] Casting aligned closely with Mohan's vision, securing a roster including Lizzy Caplan as the protagonist Sarah, her sister Beth played by Alison Brie, and supporting roles filled by Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend, and Mark Webber.^[9] Announcements confirmed Caplan and Brie's involvement by June 2011, reflecting the production's ability to attract talent post-script revisions and producer attachment.^[13] Principal photography began on July 7, 2011, in Chicago, transitioning pre-production into active filming for the low-budget feature.^[14]

Filming and Technical Aspects

Principal photography for Save the Date began on July 7, 2011, and took place primarily in Los Angeles, California, with additional scenes shot across various locations in the state.^[15][14] The film was lensed by cinematographer Elisha Christian using the Arri Alexa digital camera, which provided a high-dynamic-range capture suited to the intimate, character-driven visuals of the romantic comedy-drama.^[16][17] Post-production involved editing by Christian Masini, resulting in a final aspect ratio of approximately 1.85:1, emphasizing close-ups and naturalistic lighting to underscore the story's emotional realism.^[14][18]

Cast and Characters

Principal Cast

Lizzy Caplan stars as Sarah, the film's protagonist, a fiercely independent woman who abruptly ends her relationship with her boyfriend after he proposes during one of his band's performances.^[1][4] Caplan, known for roles in television series such as Masters of Sex, brings a nuanced portrayal of emotional guardedness to the character.^[1] Alison Brie portrays Beth, Sarah's younger sister, who is eagerly planning her wedding to musician Andrew amid family tensions.^[1] Brie's performance highlights Beth's contrasting optimism and impatience with her sister's cynicism.^[4] Martin Starr plays Andrew, Beth's fiancé and a member of the indie rock band involved in the sisters' romantic entanglements.^[1] Geoffrey Arend depicts Kevin, Sarah's ex-boyfriend whose public proposal rejection sets the story in motion.^[1] Mark Webber appears as Jonathan, a more stable architect who enters Sarah's life as a potential rebound interest.^[1]

Supporting Roles

Martin Starr plays Andrew, the mild-mannered and devoted fiancé of Beth, whose impending wedding serves as a backdrop for the central conflicts.^{[1] [20]} Melonie Díaz portrays Isabelle, Sarah's supportive co-worker at the bookstore, who offers comic relief and grounded advice amid the romantic turmoil.^{[1] [21]} Timothy Busfield appears as Benjie, the sisters' father, whose brief but pivotal interactions highlight familial dynamics and generational perspectives on relationships.^{[1] [20]} Additional supporting characters include various friends and acquaintances, such as those played by Gigi Bermingham and others, who populate the social scenes and underscore themes of modern dating pressures.^[22]

Narrative Structure

Plot Summary

centers on Sarah, a fiercely independent bookstore employee played by Lizzy Caplan, who rejects an ill-timed public marriage proposal from her overeager musician boyfriend Kevin during one of his band's performances.^[1][23] The proposal, made onstage after a successful set, leads to their breakup, with video of Sarah fleeing the scene going viral.^[24] She subsequently moves out of their shared apartment and enters a rebound romance with Jonathan, a more reserved and charming acquaintance.^[25][4] Parallel to Sarah's turmoil, her younger sister Beth, portrayed by Alison Brie, becomes consumed with planning her wedding to longtime boyfriend Andrew, a guitarist in Kevin's band.^[1] Wedding preparations strain Beth and Andrew's relationship, exposing underlying tensions.^[24] As Sarah navigates her new relationship, which progresses rapidly and results in an unplanned pregnancy, she grapples with her commitment issues and personal shortcomings.^[25][24] The sisters' intertwined stories culminate in reflections on love, family bonds, and readiness for major life decisions.^[23]

Themes and Motifs

The film Save the Date examines modern romantic relationships through the lens of commitment phobia, influenced by generational awareness of high divorce rates among parents' marriages, which casts a "strange gray cloud" over prospects for lasting partnerships.^[26] Director Michael Mohan articulates this as a distinctly contemporary dynamic, where individuals delay commitment amid abundant options facilitated by online dating, fostering fear of vulnerability and intimacy.^[26] The narrative portrays love as inherently flawed, with characters grappling with personal insecurities and relational pressures that prevent total happiness, reflecting real-life disillusionment rather than idealized romance.^[27] Central to the story is the tension between independence and emotional openness, as protagonists confront the risks of true intimacy while navigating breakups, rebounds, and proposals. Mohan emphasizes that vulnerability in relationships—and by extension, family ties—requires fluidity and mutual allowance, warning against emotional closure as a misguided defense mechanism.^[26] Sibling dynamics underscore this, with the sisters' contrasting approaches to love and marriage testing familial bonds through mundane conflicts and supportive interventions, highlighting maturation amid relational inertia.^[28] Recurring motifs include wedding preparations as symbols of societal expectations clashing with individual doubts, exemplified by the protagonist's rejection of a hasty proposal shortly before her sister's engagement celebrations.^[27] Music performances serve as outlets for emotional expression and escapism, mirroring characters' internal turmoil in their professional and romantic lives.^[1] These elements reinforce the film's critique of rushed commitments, contrasting performative milestones with the unglamorous realities of personal growth and relational authenticity.^[28]

Release

Premieres and Festivals

Save the Date had its world premiere in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2012, at the Library Center Theatre in Park City, Utah.^[29] The screening highlighted the film's exploration of sibling dynamics and romantic uncertainties, drawing attention from distributors including IFC Films, which acquired North American rights shortly after.^[30] Sundance's selection underscored the film's independent production values and cast, featuring Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie in lead roles.^[31] Post-Sundance, the film screened at the Dallas International Film Festival in April 2012, where director Michael Mohan presented it following his prior short film success at the event.^[32] Additional festival appearances included the Newport Beach Film Festival, where Caplan received recognition for her performance, and the Nashville Film Festival, expanding its exposure in the independent circuit.^[33][34] These screenings positioned Save the Date as a festival darling prior to its limited theatrical release, though it did not secure major awards at these venues.^[10]

Distribution and Box Office

Save the Date was distributed in the United States by IFC Films, which handled its limited theatrical release starting December 14, 2012.^[35] The film opened on two screens, reflecting a platform strategy typical for independent romantic comedies seeking festival buzz conversion to commercial viability. The movie's box office performance was modest, earning $3,755 during its opening weekend.^[1] Over its entire domestic run, it grossed $5,719, with no significant international earnings reported, resulting in a worldwide total of $5,719.^[35] This limited financial outcome aligned with the film's arthouse positioning and small-scale marketing, prioritizing critical attention over broad theatrical appeal.

Reception

Critical Reviews

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 47% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 30 reviews, and a Metacritic score of 54 out of 100 from 17 critics.^[4][25] Reviewers frequently praised the performances, particularly Lizzy Caplan's portrayal of the commitment-averse protagonist Sarah, whom The New York Times described as "cute and droll" despite her emotional unavailability.^[36] IndieWire highlighted the film's light and endearing quality, suggesting it represented an aspirational model for romantic comedies through its relatable character dynamics rather than contrived plots.^[37] Critics often faulted the screenplay for lacking originality and comedic bite, with The Hollywood Reporter noting at its Sundance premiere that it tested familial bonds in "mundane ways" while being "short on both romance and humor."^[28] NPR's review characterized the narrative as reliant on "plot contrivances" to depict poor judgment among young adults, borrowing familiar tropes without innovation.^[38] The New York Post awarded it two out of four stars, critiquing the protagonist's repellent attitude toward commitment as emblematic of a slacker archetype that failed to evolve compellingly.^[39] Some outlets emphasized the film's strengths in capturing interpersonal awkwardness over outright laughs, as Time Out observed its "bright colors and charismatic cast" made it "impossible to dislike," though its appeal hinged primarily on performers rather than substantive storytelling.^[40] Overall, the consensus positioned Save the Date as a modest indie effort buoyed by strong acting but hampered by predictable conflicts and insufficient depth to distinguish it from genre conventions.^[41]

Audience and Commercial Response

Audience reception to Save the Date was mixed, with viewers appreciating the naturalistic performances and relatable depiction of romantic uncertainties but often faulting the film for insufficient humor, plot momentum, and emotional depth.^[42] On Rotten Tomatoes, it garnered a 36% audience score from over 2,500 ratings, reflecting sentiments that the story felt underdeveloped despite strong leads like Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie.^[4] Similarly, IMDb users rated it 5.7 out of 10 based on 7,251 reviews, with praise for authentic character dynamics offset by complaints of predictability and a lackluster ending.^[1] Some audiences highlighted its appeal as a low-key indie rom-com suitable for fans of character-driven narratives, though others deemed it forgettable or unrelatable.^[3][43] Commercially, the film achieved modest reach primarily through non-theatrical channels, as it launched on iTunes for video-on-demand on November 8, 2012, ahead of its limited December theatrical debut.^[44] A DVD and Blu-ray release followed on June 11, 2013, via MPI Home Video, earning positive technical reviews for video quality but no reported blockbuster sales.^[45] Lacking wide distribution or marketing push typical of major studio releases, it remained a niche title without significant ancillary revenue data or long-term streaming prominence, aligning with its indie production scale.^[46]

Awards and Nominations

Save the Date competed in the U.S. Dramatic category at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, earning a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize.^[38][26] The film won an Achievement Award at the 2012 Newport Beach Film Festival, awarded to supporting actor Geoffrey Arend for his performance.^[47] It also received recognition from the National Film Society Awards in 2013, including a win for Best Picture.^[14]