Corporate Line: In this sweetly subversive comedy, a group of outsiders band together to navigate the treacherous halls of high school and
make it to graduation, ultimately learning more about themselves, finding faith in unexpected places, and realizing what it truly means to be Saved!
The Good: First time writer/director Brian Dannelly from his script with Michael Urban, has created a completely realistic endearing comedy without insulting the audience.
Dannelly and Jena Malone have brought to life, Mary who’s faith in Jesus is put to the test when she discovers she is pregnant with her gay boyfriend’s baby.
Malone’s Mary doesn’t get distracted from finding her way by what is socially expected or even looking to be saved by another attractive straight suitor who ‘hits the board for the Lord’, Patrick (Patrick Fugit.)
Eva Amurri stands out in a strong cast of great character actors. She is a ‘bad girl’ with irresistible quick wit. Being the only Jewish girl at an all Christian school, Eva’s character, Cassandra, is one of the only characters with her eyes wide open and goes about being a ‘good Christian’ in a much more creative way than ‘Jesus Freak’, Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore.) It’s the honesty in her that draws Hilary Faye’s crippled brother Roland (Macaulay Culkin) to Cassandra. The chemistry between Eva and Macaulay is undeniable.
This is a delightfully hilarious moving film. It shows teens and adults grappling with their faith in religion, friendship and each other. Unexpected moments of incite such as Mary’s relating to the Virgin Mary during a nativity play, makes Saved! one of the best ‘teen films’ in years.
The Bad: While Heather Matarazzo has done well in other films, she continues to be a one dimensional brat/outcast who has very few social skills. The lack of character development just shows how Matarazzo has come to represent someone you are on the verge of befriending but then they open their mouth and you bolt the other way.
Frankly: This is a fresh film that shows making a teen film doesn’t mean leaving out dealing with real issues in a cheesy way. Why are you still reading? Get yourself Saved right now.
+ Colleen M. Quill
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