The Fear and Thrill of the Final Cut
Rahul Menon: First off, congratulations on such a charming debut feature. I have to ask — was it scarier writing this story, directing it, or actually pressing “send” on the final cut?
Elizabeth Guest: I think the final cut was the scariest part for me. I love being in the thick of the process — that’s where I’m happiest. But once it’s all over, that’s when the fear really creeps in. There’s a saying, “When I got busy, I got better,” and it’s true — once you stop, there’s more room for doubt. That transition from making creative decisions to wondering, Will anyone else like these decisions too? — that’s definitely the most terrifying part.
“Once it’s all over, that’s when the fear really creeps in.”
Creating Lydia: Chaos, Heart, and a Little Therapy
Rahul: Lydia is such a layered character — messy, neurotic, but also deeply relatable. How much of her is you, and how much is completely made up?
Elizabeth: Lydia actually started with a monologue I wrote for an acting class. I was finding dating really stressful at the time, so yes — a lot of her is me, but she’s also a younger version of me. I don’t have four parents, though Ed Begley Jr. and his wife Rachelle have definitely felt like surrogate parents at times.
“Lydia became a vessel for those regrets. Writing her was therapeutic — she gets to mess up spectacularly and still find forgiveness.”
Family Dynamics That Feel Real (and Hilarious)
Rahul: The four-parent dynamic is one of my favorite parts of the film — it’s chaotic, funny, but still feels authentic. Did that come from your own family life, or was it just a fun way to complicate Lydia’s holidays?
Elizabeth: Honestly, I just thought, How can I get Ed Begley Jr. to play my dad but still have my real dad in the mix? That’s how the four-parent setup came about. I also wanted to include a gay couple without making that the focus of any drama — just to normalize it.
Balancing Humor and Heart
Rahul: Rom-coms often live or die by their sense of rhythm. Your film moves briskly but still lets Lydia breathe. How did you find that balance between light comedy and sincere emotional beats?
Elizabeth: That rhythm was baked into the script. I love exploring quick transitions between light and dark — it’s how I see life and how I write. I’m allergic to anything that drags, so I always try to hit the emotional core of a scene and move on.
“I love exploring quick transitions between light and dark — it’s how I see life and how I write.”
Love Addiction and Real-Life Research
Rahul: I didn’t know much about “love addiction” before this film. What made you want to explore that compulsion?
Elizabeth: In my 20s, I had a chaotic dating life, and learning about love addiction gave me language for things I was feeling. I read books, went to meetings, and realized there are many different ways it manifests. Even though I’ve outgrown some of those tendencies, learning to love yourself — and then others — is a journey everyone can relate to.
From Web Series to Feature Film
Rahul: Expanding Guest Appearances into a feature must have been challenging. What was the biggest hurdle?
Elizabeth: Definitely the first act. I had to set up Lydia’s love addiction, her parents, and her need for independence — and show that she isn’t quite ready for love when Tim arrives. The tricky part was making her both protagonist and antagonist, helping the audience empathize even when she makes terrible choices.
“Making her both protagonist and antagonist — that was tricky but really fun.”
Improvisation and On-Set Magic
Rahul: Did actors’ improv moments shift scenes in ways you didn’t expect?
Elizabeth: I wish we’d had more time for improv! But yes, those were my favorite moments. My mom has this emotional bit in the pantry that wasn’t scripted — shooting handheld allowed my DP to catch it beautifully.
Cinematic Influences and Future Dreams
Rahul: Were there specific filmmakers who inspired the balance of comedy and heart?
Elizabeth: Nancy Meyers and Nora Ephron are my north stars. And It’s a Wonderful Life wound up playing a role in the movie — Frank Capra has always meant a lot to me.
Rahul: If you could set your next rom-com anywhere?
Elizabeth: My next one is entirely in New York, which is a dream. After that, probably London. I love cities where I can see theater at night.
“I love cities where I can see theater at night.”
The Fun Stuff: Dating Apps and Comfort Movies
Rahul: If Lydia were on a dating app, what would her bio say?
Elizabeth: “I might make you watch rom-coms. But only the good ones. I promise.”
Rahul: What’s your go-to heartbreak movie?
Elizabeth: Notting Hill and Something’s Gotta Give.
Self-Love Lessons
Rahul: Any scene in the film feel especially therapeutic to write or shoot?
Elizabeth: The church scene at the end. I was struggling with my lines, and Timm Sharp whispered, “Don’t worry about the lines.” That unlocked the scene for me. It mirrored the theme of the film — learning to show yourself the same compassion others show you.
“Learning to show yourself the same compassion others show you.”
Dream Rom-Coms on a Blank Check
Rahul: If someone gave you a blank check for your dream rom-com, what would it be?
Elizabeth: Aside from my New York rom-com, I’d make a film about an older woman and a younger woman navigating love at the same time. Showing the female experience of love at all ages is important — and comforting. Also, ice cream and pizza. (laughs)
Rahul: Thank you so much for your time, Elizabeth — and congratulations again on such a heartfelt and hilarious debut.
Elizabeth: Thank you, Rahul! This was so much fun.
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off premieres October
18 at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
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