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| Saved!
Classification: Comedy
Directed:
- Brian Dannelly
Actors/Actresses:
- Jena Malone
- Mandy Moore (II)
- Macaulay Culkin
- Patrick Fugit
- Heather Matarazzo
When It All Comes Down To It, True Faith Is About Love
I can see where a lot of people may be leary about a movie called "Saved!", at least those who may have seen the trailer for it. Those who consider themselves religious may think it is a criticism of their faith, while those who aren't may not know what to think...is it a religious movie...is it preachy? The truth is, after seeing this movie, I think the underlying message is this: "Jesus is all about love".
Sure, this movie does put exteme fundamentalism under a microscope. It is set in a Christian High School, where the cool, accepted kids are those who have been "saved", which is just about everyone. Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore) is the leader of the Christian Jewels, the in-crowd. Mary (Jena Malone) is another of the Jewels. Dean (Chad Faust)is her boyfriend, who one day tells her that he thinks he may be gay. This news does not sit well with her, and, based on a "vision" she thinks she receives from Jesus, she sets out to set him "straight". Instead, she becomes pregnant, and Dean gets sent to be "de-gayed."
Neither the fact that Dean is gay or that Mary is pregnant goes over well with Hilary and the rest of the school, and they make it their mission to set her back on track.<BR> <BR>Other bright spots in this great cast include Patrick Fugit as the preacher's son (who may just be the best example of true faith in the movie), Macaulay Culkin, as Hilary's parapalegic brother, and Eva Amurri, as the school's sole Jewish student.
Mary's journey through examining her faith and the way she deals with this new chapter in her life makes up the basis of this movie.
Is it all resolved neatly in the end? Again, this will depend on where you are coming from. But I believe in the end the movie is summed up with the words "Jesus Loves You", no matter who "you" happen to be.
I have been redeemed
I was so worried about this summer. The action flicks, the endless mindless sequels. Finally, there is a film that is funny, poignant, and has a message that is worth hearing.
The people who gave this movie a negative review have either A) never been submerged in the world this movie describes or B) live in that world and are stinging from the criticism.
First off, this movie is NOT making fun of Christianity, unlike what Jerry Falwell says. Instead it lampoons selfishness in the form of righteousness, bigotry, and religious insulation. I too have lived in this world where if it's not Christian or endorsed by Jesus Christ, then it's not worthy to own. Everyone lives in a bubble. The only music these kids listen to is Christian music, they only read Christian books, they only talk about God's will, they go to a Christian school and only hang out with other Christians, unless they're trying to convert the "heathens" and even then, it's only a temporary visit. However, certain events pop this bubble for our protagonists: Mary's boyfriend discovers his homosexuality and Mary (Jena Malone) herself becomes pregnant.
What I liked about this movie was that, yes, it is stinging criticism for this insulated and bigoted world, but the last half of the movie is a bit sweeter and more poignant. Mary is outcasted by the popular Christian girls (including Mandy Moore's character) but she is befriended by the "heathens" : the only Jewish girl in the Christian school and the handicapped boy who isn't a Christian at all. I think what angers Jerry Falwell and his followers off the most is that the said heathens possess the traits of Jesus (love, understanding, compassion, forgiveness) and the Christians do not. In fact, the adult Christians in this film send the "problem" children away instead of dealing with the gray areas of life. As Mary's gay boyfriend says, "You've kicked us out of our homes, our schools.....where else is there for us to go?"
In short, this is a hilarious and moving picture and has a message that is best summed up by Mary: "Why would God make us all so different if he wanted us to be the same?"
Hit the Nail on the Head
I went to a Christian college and I have to say that this movie hit the culture of Christian schools right on the head. Everything from the people raising their hands in Chapel to the viciousness of Hilary Faye. I laughed my butt off for the entire length of the movie. Anyone that has had any contact with this type of culture and a sense of humor would find it hysterical. I would so recommend it to anyone.
Buy Saved at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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