Will film audiences ever tire of watching indie romances about twenty-somethings struggling to find love set against the backdrop of their struggling to break into creative fields? Or is there something just so satisfying about wallowing in other people’s struggles and acknowledging that you’re not the only one who’s completely confused about life that we’ll continue to line up for these movies time and time again? Filmmaker Michael Mohan is clearly betting on the latter notion, because his latest project, Save the Date, looks like every romance about confused young people that you’ve ever seen.
There are a few big reasons why his work could be a step above the last couple you’ve seen though, a few reasons that look a lot like Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend, and Mark Webber. Caplan has been putting in strong supporting performances for years now, so the chance to see her step up and take the lead should be a pleasant one. And Alison Brie, this girl is so beloved that an entire Internet subculture has sprung up around celebrating just how amazing she is. Strong casting there, indeed.
The boys are a little less famous, but each has done enough good work to develop cult followings of their own, and it should, once again, be interesting to watch them step out of the supporting shadows and step up as the male leads of a film. Or, at the very least, it should be life-affirming to watch guys who look this scruffy getting to date girls that look this polished. It’s enough to give you hope.
But, honestly, you had me at Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie playing sisters.
Save the Date will get a limited release on December 14th.