Posted: 06/06/2004

Saved!

(2004)

by Hank Yuloff

The frustration in dealing with hypocrisy on any level about any subject is the subtext in the new movie by directed by Brian Dannelly called Saved! The milieu to look into the world of the hypocrite is at a Christian high school populated by believers, nonbelievers and those who are not sure but who sure as hell won’t let on that they have doubts. No matter what your religious persuasion, if you are able to laugh at yourself and anything that might be sacred, then Saved! is a movie that would work for you. It is a small, independent film that might be hard to find, but it is well worth the price of admission.

In the first 5 minutes of the movie Mary (Jena Malone) takes us on a tour (a la Sugar & Spice, Bring It On) of a Christian High School where popularity is defined by how much you love Jesus. Along with Mary, the central characters are the “popular crowd” lead by Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore) who likes to think of herself as a saint, but is really no different than the average “most popular girl” in any high school and is really the typical teen movie hot chick bitch (did anyone see Mean Girls???). Moore has her devoted minions who follow her around (did anyone see Mean Girls???) and do whatever she says (seriously…. did anyone see Mean Girls???). Macaulay Culkin plays Hilary’s handicapped brother just looking for an exude to get out from under her bible thumping thumb.

Mary’s world turns upside down when she finds out her boyfriend, Dean (Chad Faust - Hope Springs), is gay and she feels it is her Christian duty to save his soul in any way she can. When it comes to saving him from the evils of damnation hell fire, Jena Malone takes one for the team and has sex with her boyfriend to cure him of his man-preying ways.

Mary’s biggest mistake is in confiding in Hilary who uses the information to her own advantage, outing him to the entire school. Mary finds solace and friendship in the most unlikely place; Cassandra, the only “Jewish whoever attended the school.” Rumors abound about Cassandra - from being a stripper to devil’s own play toy. Her cursing, open sexuality, and badass behavior personify what the others at this school would consider to be the “antichrist”. Hillary Faye believes she can “save” Cassandra (Eva Amurri from The Banger Sisters) and also “save” Mary through Christ’s love. Kind of like her senior project.

Like any teen movie, there is also a three way love triangle to watch as Mary and Hillary go after the same guy. Hmmmm…. Hilary is a virgin and Mary isn’t. The smart money is on Mary.

Don’t think all the drama is limited to the young adults. Unlike most teen movies (did anyone see Mean Girls???), the parents in this movie are not flat and stupid. Mary’s mom (Mary-Louise Parker from West Wing) is having an affair with the school principal, Pastor Skip (Martin Donovan from Insomnia), who is having a hard time counseling from the heart since he is obviously sinning in a major way.

Religious beliefs being called into question not withstanding, Saved! is a very patchable and enjoyable movie. Culkin (Party Monster) is outstanding as Hilary’s brother and Malone (Cold Mountain, American Girl) is, as always, a riveting actress. Moore, however, is as boring as she was in Chasing Liberty…. Time for more acting lessons and less singing lessons. She does however, do a great version of the Beach Boys hit “God Only Knows” during the opening. The best performance in the movie belongs to Amurri who is both at once alluring and repulsive in her actions. The perfect bad girl.

Shout “Hallelujah!” and say you will take a large popcorn and coke for Saved!

Hank Yuloff is our Senior L.A. staffer, but he is not Catholic. Shalom.

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