"SAVE THE DATE" IS A PERFECT PORTRAYAL OF RELATIONSHIPS by Pamela Powell

When you hear "Save the Date" you automatically think of a wedding. Bingo.  Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, and Mark Webber find themselves learning about relationships, engagements, marriage and weddings, children, and all those other aspects of life that a 20-something year old seems to dwell upon.  As Caplan's character, Sarah, wrestles with her level of commitment to her current beau, she also struggles with seeing her parent's relationship deteriorate and trying to somehow find a shred of commonality between herself and her sister.  Relationships and the priorities in life butt heads in this movie as we watch not just Sarah, but her sister grow up a bit along the way.

This talented cast appeared to fit the parts they played quite naturally and the dialogue was true to the 20-something group.  It was also, in some ways reminiscent of my own 20-something era.  Break-ups, match-ups, watching friends and relatives get married to their high school sweethearts, and finding someone when you're not even looking were all things all of us have gone through if you're over 30.  The dialogue and natural chemistry between all of the characters invited me to stay and find out if there was going to be a happy ending.  I loved the fact that both of the female characters weren't perfect; they were real.  They were also sisters in this film and when siblings are so different, it puts an entire new spin on a family and its interactions.  Again, quite true to life.

There are several ancillary stories taking place in "Save the Date," but the main story revolved around Sarah and her new love interest, Jonathan, played by Mark Webber.  The dialogue between the two of these characters was natural, real, and sweet.  Truly, it brought back fun memories of many relationships in the past.  These two unassuming people ignite a spark between them and watch where it ends up.  As the other characters and their situations infiltrate the main story, we get a complete picture of why each of them has made the decisions they have.

"Save the Date" is a sweet story of many different aspects of growing up.  The music, the language, and openness are current of today's 20-something generation, but the feelings and situations cross all generations.  Michael Mohan, director, deftly created a movie that we can all relate to.  If you're 20-something, you will especially enjoy this film.

7 REELS