Saved! (DVD, 2009)

You down with G-O-D?

Having gone to a Christian school early in my life, I relate to many of the things that happen in Saved! Most notably, the plastic smiles and using Jesus as a crutch for everything. Kids are like that, especially when it comes to matters of faith. When you're at an age where you're not quite sure why you believe the things you do, you'll often be misguided in your attempts to justify the greater good.

Saved! isn't too much different from your standard teen comedy/drama. The themes of "coming of age" and "finding yourself" are evident, only the satiration of "suburban religion" are mixed in to flesh out the backdrop. And it works, for the most part.

When devout Christian Mary (Jena Malone) finds out her boyfriend is gay, she tries to straighten him out by sleeping with him in the guise that Jesus was telling her to do it. This doesn't work out as planned, as Mary ends up pregnant and her boyfriend is sent off to the anti-sin brainwashing school.

However, being pregnant at a Christian High School isn't a good thing, so Mary tries to keep it all quiet. There's also a new boy in town (Patrick Fugit from Almost Famous), the son of the pastor and principal of the school, that has taken an interest in her and that doesn't sit well with her popular best friend, Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore).

It isn't long before Mary goes on a spiritual journey of her own, questioning the hypocritical morals preached at her in every direction as she learns what real Christianity is all about. There are also a bunch of little subplots that pop up everywhere that, unfortunately, becomes a tad more entertaining than the real plot.

Saved! has heart, but I think it lacks in the substance department. It could have been much more than it ends up being. Tackling issues of faith and morality on a teenage level is difficult and weighty, but too much of the film is light. I'm not saying that it should have been a full out drama - but I do think it could have benefited from a deeper look into the real spirit of the principles these kids so badly misinterpret.

But all in all, the film is good, balancing the familiar genre with the unique setting. It never becomes a mean-spirited Christian bash, which would have been the cheap, easy way to go. All of the characters are portrayed with care and love. Plus, Macaulay Culkin is in it...and good!

The DVD includes some standard stuff, including commentary from the director and writers, a separate commentary track with members of the cast, deleted scenes, outtakes, a featurette, and some easter eggs for the adventurous. Nothing spectacular - but good enough.

What a great flick this one is! The story is so much better than your typical teen/comedies these days, and it's refreshing! I felt sorry for Mary (Jena Malone) most of the time, she wanted everything to be just right when everything pretty much failed. Mandy Moore was excellent also, she seems to always steal the screen in these types of movies. And I couldn't help but LOVE 'bad girl' Cassandra (Eva Amurri) in this, she was fantastic. Her character was hilarious and most entertaining. The fact that a Jewish girl has joined a Christian school is funny itself! She is a wonderful actress. Oh, and it was nice to see the Culkin boy back in business! Definitely give this one try, it's worth many watches.

I saw this movie in the theater. While I do consider myself to be a Christian, I don't go out of my way to watch "Christian movies" or check out "Christian music." But this movie is picture-perfect. Jena Malone is wonderful as the high school senior who starts to question life and God when something terrible happens to her. Mandy Moore, who is always so sweet in real-life interviews, is incredible as the evil popular girl. And McCauley Culken is great as Moore's wheelchair-bound brother.

This movie does talk a lot about Christianity. But it also questions it, too. I think it's absolutely fantastic.

The script, direction, and acting all deliver in this respectful sendup of life in a Christian high school. 'Saved!' also addresses deeper questions of coming of age, finding your place in the world, and your relationship with God. The talented cast all turn in remarkable performances. Written by Michael Urban and Brian Dannelly, the characters ring true, despite what could easily have been a ridiculous story line. This a testament to the loving direction of Dannelly and the fine acting. This could have been just a farcical treatment, but the movie shows both depth and passion, leaving no character unscathed. It reaches beyond the fast times to the deeper meaning. Both laughter and thought provoking.

Saved???.....Save your money and skip this one, don't waste your money or time! This film is supposedly about Christian teens, and is supposed to be some type of comedy as well, and lacks desperately in both regards. Portrays a young teen sleeping with a gay boy to set him straight, and she instead winds up an unwed mother???? Come on, this is not a joking matter to me! Give this one 2 stars **