I grew up Southern Baptist, and had my experiences with the youth involved. So, the previews for Brian Dannelly debut film Saved! appealed to me on multiple levels. Aside from the simple comedic draw, the messages it seemed to want portrayed drew me in. I was expecting a teen-comedy Dogma, and for the most part was not disappointed.
The premise is a little more mature and challenging than current high-school comedy Mean Girls in that it starts off with Mary (Jena Malone) trying to ‘cure’ her gay boyfriend, Will. She believes that Jesus wants her to sacrifice to virginity in order to do so. The act (displayed through a simple banging dresser) fails in converting him though, but leads to Mary’s pregnancy. As Will is sent to the Mercer House to be cured, Mary’s senior year at American Eagle Christian High School begins. As Mary struggles with the guilt of being pregnant, she finds true friendship in the school’s outcast couple, and learns to challenge all she had ever believed.
Complicating things though is Mandy Moore, who plays oh-so-over-the-top ideal teen Christian, Hilary Faye. I must admit, the teen who brought us the song Candy is great at performing a stuck-up high school princess. Her zealous-ness was quite humorous to me, especially knowing teens like that. However, the star of the movie has to be former child-star Macaulay Culkin. As the handicapped brother to Hilary, Roland, he provides a dry wit and sarcasm that helps keep the movie alive. Jena Malone proves herself quite a capable actress herself. The acting, as a whole is very good. Young, refreshing talent fill the cast, which is makes for a truly enjoyable experience.
However, the Dannelly script is what makes the movie thrive. He provides a humorous story of high-school cliques, but layers in challenging themes such as acceptance, faith, and the ridiculous length some people go to in the name of religion. It challenges the faithful to look at themselves and, provides an enjoyable film at the same time. Funny, provocative and surprisingly real, it provides a great film to watch if you don’t mind thinking.
3.5 Out of Four Stars
Overall- You may have to look a good bit in order to find it, but it’s definitely worth the effort in doing so. I think God would find the movie as a good time.
The premise is a little more mature and challenging than current high-school comedy Mean Girls in that it starts off with Mary (Jena Malone) trying to ‘cure’ her gay boyfriend, Will. She believes that Jesus wants her to sacrifice to virginity in order to do so. The act (displayed through a simple banging dresser) fails in converting him though, but leads to Mary’s pregnancy. As Will is sent to the Mercer House to be cured, Mary’s senior year at American Eagle Christian High School begins. As Mary struggles with the guilt of being pregnant, she finds true friendship in the school’s outcast couple, and learns to challenge all she had ever believed.
Complicating things though is Mandy Moore, who plays oh-so-over-the-top ideal teen Christian, Hilary Faye. I must admit, the teen who brought us the song Candy is great at performing a stuck-up high school princess. Her zealous-ness was quite humorous to me, especially knowing teens like that. However, the star of the movie has to be former child-star Macaulay Culkin. As the handicapped brother to Hilary, Roland, he provides a dry wit and sarcasm that helps keep the movie alive. Jena Malone proves herself quite a capable actress herself. The acting, as a whole is very good. Young, refreshing talent fill the cast, which is makes for a truly enjoyable experience.
However, the Dannelly script is what makes the movie thrive. He provides a humorous story of high-school cliques, but layers in challenging themes such as acceptance, faith, and the ridiculous length some people go to in the name of religion. It challenges the faithful to look at themselves and, provides an enjoyable film at the same time. Funny, provocative and surprisingly real, it provides a great film to watch if you don’t mind thinking.
3.5 Out of Four Stars
Overall- You may have to look a good bit in order to find it, but it’s definitely worth the effort in doing so. I think God would find the movie as a good time.
