Save the Date
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]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Lizzy Caplan | Sarah |
| Alison Brie | Beth |
| Martin Starr | Andrew |
| Geoffrey Arend | Kevin |
| Mark Webber | Jonathan |