Saved! Review
by Karina Montgomery (karina AT cinerina DOT com)June 22nd, 2004
Saved!
Full Price Feature
Just go see it. Do you need 450 words to make you interested in this film? Well why haven't you seen it yet, then? Reports coming in from all over (even the Bible Institute of Los Angeles) indicate that both the religious and the not-so-much-religious are loving it with equal fervor. That's because, of course, it's not "about" religion and it doesn't make fun of the heathens or the believers. It only mocks ignorance and hypocrisy, and everyone can get behind that.
Now, if you are ignorant or hypocritical, take it up with the filmmakers if you are offended or don't like the movie, it's your own dang fault for being that way. 'Tis true, Saved! is being marketed like the next crazy wacky teen romp, and 'tis also true that a few difficult obstacles are cleared away as easily as any cheerleader movie, but you know what? The writing is good, the characters are interesting, the acting is great (I can't even pick a favorite) and it's just a great time.
Watching these people, kids and adults, find various loopholes in their faith through which they can thread the reality of their lives is fascinating. No one is immune to mistakes, crises of conscience, or even self-deceit. It frightens me to think that such a school would actually exist, since it seems to have no time for any other kind of basic education *other* than religious (i.e. geography or math, say), but I am sure that is a cinematic conceit.
The film is filled with one-liners both wise and hilarious - some even bordering on high camp. But everything is performed with such straight sincerity and conviction you can't even roll your eyes at what you might do so in your personal life. Jena Malone is our lead, surrounded by fantastic misfits such as the completely great Macaulay Culkin, and beleaguered by Mandy Moore, and buoyed by a completely great soundtrack.
How can love and happiness and truth not be part of the big plan, be it designed by a God or gods or not? If Jesus is who these people wish to emulate, why aren't they? Hatred and fear and repression and poor communication and shame are the demons that haunt this school; human-borne and human-imposed. You want to reach out and shake some of the characters even when you love them for being so earnest and so seemingly open to Truth.
The film does not shy away from the self-centeredness of the sinful faithful, who imagine every setback to be direct (or even indirect) punishment for their sins, rather than just taking responsibility for their actions. The film makes no statement about the existence or validity of any god or religion; it is solely interested in how the faithful choose and follow their paths. The story is heartwarming and hilarious, and exciting to watch. It will bear up well on video, but go see it now and support this kind of filmmaking.
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These reviews (c) 2004 Karina Montgomery. Please feel free to forward but credit the reviewer in the text. Thanks. You can check out previous reviews at:
http://www.cinerina.com and http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com - the Online Film Critics Society http://www.hsbr.net/reviews/karina/listing.hsbr - Hollywood Stock Exchange Brokerage Resource
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
