Movie Review: Saved!

I had a sad falling-out with my own church about two years ago. I was pretty much a regular church goer prior to that. Seriously. Stop laughing. I've always labeled myself as 'spritual.' I was brought up in a multi-faith home, so I was not only into God, but also I knew the concept of religious tolerance better than most. It was truly a boon when I went to a Lutheran college.

Yes, I went to a Christian college.

What happened?

Well, after coming out, I did ALOT of reading and slowly reconciled what I believed with who I am. It actually strengthed my links to religion and gave me more hope then ever before. I could ignore the inane, uninformed banter of churches as they politically maneuvered to get in the White House. I could turn another cheek when churches did not practice what they preached. But when someone in my congregation said to me, "can't you celebrate Christ?"

I was crestfallen. My own church, an MCC, had pushed me away. Understand, this was a minister who said this. She was noticing I didn't dance in the aisles like so many others; I didn't sing as loud as the others, I guess, and it bothered her. For so long, I felt I was okay in the church, had fixed the previous problems and now the church was alienating me again.

It was with this, I came to the Christian movie, Saved! I guess, in my own way, I was hoping that it was a critical picture of the church that had pushed me away. But it wasn't. Well, not totally. It's the story of the usual "churchie," named Hillary Fae (played, quite well by Mandy Moore. Who knew she actually could do something in the acting department!), who embodies everything that Christian churches do but shouldn't. She alienates those who don't fit her image of Godly-ness, she plays politics and lies when it suits her.

Against her are the usual church rejects. A Jewish girl between the parochial school and juvie hall; the wheelchair bound older brother, the pregnant teen make the core--and what the church rallies against to gain votes and cash. The film dramatizes their conflict as all search for respect versus Hillary and her minions.

This is a good movie. But that's about it. It's not the critical piece I had hoped for, but it does have some symbolic characters showing agreeing with what I believe. That church followers tend to be elitist. But it never becomes scathing, as if afraid that the church would picket the movie should it cut too close to the bone. Surely, it mentions the usual church assumptions--the by sheer right of being a Christian, certain entitlements are permitted. For example, one girl believes if she has sex with her possible gay boyfriend, God will restore her virginity and his straightness; Hillary believes that by converting the Jewish girl, her place will be ensured in both heaven and the school.

Sounds most church goers I've sadly encountered.

But the movie just mentions these issues. It doesn't critize them or pull them out. Nor does it go the other way, showing that Christian belief systems might be right.

With that, the movie, really goes no where. It's not a particularly funny piece, unless, of coruse, you've gone to a Christian college, I suppose; it just sorta sits there. In the end, everything works out, but nothing really changes. The rejects stay oucasts, the diehards stay diehards.

I don't know, but I wanted something more, maybe, 'biting?' A movie to tackle these issues, instead of plodding along nicely to make sure no toes get stepped on. Surely, I'll rate this as middle of the road.