Is anyone else looking forward to this movie?!... It looks like it's going to stir up some trouble especially since everyone is still kind of infatuated with "The Passion of The Christ."

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SYNOPSIS:

Comedy
1 hr. 33 min. "Good girl" Mary (Jena Malone) and her popular, influential best friend, Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore), are starting their senior year at the top of the social structure at American Christian High School. But when Mary finds out she’s pregnant, Hilary Faye and her devoted "disciples" turn against Mary and the school labels her an outcast. It's as an outsider, however, that Mary finds true friends – other students the school doesn't quite know what to do with. In this sweetly subversive comedy, a group of strangers band together to navigate the treacherous halls of high school and make it to graduation, ultimately learning more about themselves and finding out what it truly means to be Saved!.
Release Date: May 28th, 2004 (limited release).
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for strong thematic issues involving teens - sexual content, pregnancy, smoking and language.
Distributor: United Artists

REVIEWS:

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The Hollywood Reporter
By Duane Byrge
Bottom line: A teen-y, in all senses, satire of evangelical Christianity.
Sundance Film Festival

PARK CITY -- Macaulay Culkin brings his cherubic grace to "Saved!" a teen-world comedy without, unfortunately, John Hughes. An irreverent, punchy jab at the more hideous transgressions of fundamentalist Christianity, "Saved!" stars Mandy Moore as a filled-with-Jesus beauty who uses her faith to further the cause of, well, the No. 1 person in her life, herself.

Its larkish style, combined with its anti-authoritarian bent should win some enthusiastic teen followers, as well as the Babble-onians of the Upper West Side and Hollywoodland.

Receiving a generous reception here at Sundance -- not exactly the heart of the Bible Belt or even Middle America -- this comedic jape delivers some sharp jabs at obvious targets, namely the boosterish excesses of American religiosity. Like the best of teen-set comedies, it lashes out at the ruling authority figures conspiring against the kids
in this case, the most dominant influence at the Christian high school are the religious leaders.

It's always fun to knock those in power, especially when they use their positions for self-serving goals. In this romp, the most odious character is the school's manipulative golden girl, Hilary Faye (Moore), who uses the structures and figures in the school's religious hierarchy to achieve her own dominance. Beautiful and treacherous, Faye is a readily identifiable busy-body. She's the leader of the pack -- in this case, the Christian Jewels, the girl's club of "the Lord." In "Saved!" as in the Hughes kid-comedy metaphysic, the adults are all idiots.

Under director Brian Dannelly's satiric hand, "Saved!" serves up the treachery of modern-day high school crowded with stereotypical characters and generic conventions. Unfortunately, the film pontificates with a smug brashness, glorifying in its own slight subversions.

Throughout, there are deliciously on-target moments of messianic lunacy, from the Christian skateboard team to the wishy-washy homilies of the school's head honcho, Pastor Skip (Martin Donovan), courtesy of screenwriters Dannelly and Michael Urban.

"Saved!" saves its most generous appraisals for the school's outsiders: a Jewish girl (Eva Amurri) and a paraplegic (Culkin). Of the tribe of followers, they're the most perceptive in seeing through the hypocrisy and inherent fascism of the school's social/religious system.

The well-selected cast -- principally Moore as the manipulative leader of the pack and Amurri as the story's iconoclastic heroine -- wage a catfight of holy war proportions. As the cynical, wheelchair-bound brethren, Culkin is aptly droll, while Jena Malone is nicely credible as the touchstone character, Mary, a "good girl" whose senior year becomes a nightmare after she gets pregnant and is turned into an outcast by Faye and her followers.

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FilmThreat.com
by Don R. Lewis
(2004-03-12)

There's really nothing funnier than a movie that takes aim at religious institutions....except fart jokes and guys getting kicked in the nuts. But "Saved!" manages to avoid the latter and indulge heavily in the former with pretty damned good results. Equal parts satire, spoof and teen comedy, "Saved!" is just a sweet and funny movie that starts off with bite but settles into an honest feeling of happiness and acceptance for all types of people and their choices.


Mary (Malone) attends an ultra-hip Catholic school along with her pal Hillary Faye (Moore) and Hillary Faye's wheelchair bound brother, Roland (Culkin). Hillary Faye and Mary are quintessential Jesus groupies who want nothing more from life than to answer that bumper sticker that reads, "what would Jesus do?" It's this thought pattern that enters Mary's mind when her hunky boyfriend Dean (Faust) tells her he thinks he's gay.


Hopefully Jesus wouldn't do what Mary does as she sleeps with Dean to try and shake him of his homo-erotic tendencies. Shortly thereafter Dean is shipped off to a bible camp to rid him of his "gayness" leaving Mary alone with an unexpected bun in the oven.

Strangely hilarity doesn't really ensue as this film actually manages to shift into a gentle exploration of why the judgments of the Catholic church are so screwed up. "Saved!" is still funny due to Hillary Faye's over-zealousness and Roland's slide into a wheelchair bound bad boy. But it's Mary's journey and decisions that make great food for thought...especially for those who feel the need to adhere to many antiquated Christian philosophies. I mean, wasn't Jesus all about loving one another and not judging?


Mary soon finds friendship in Cassandra (Amurri), a substance abusing semi-slut who was hoarding all the finger-pointing to herself before Mary lost her purity. Eva Amurri (who I just discovered is Susan Sarandon's daughter) is great as Cassandra, sexy bad girl whose rough edges (of course) hide a huge heart. This role could launch her as a new screen hottie.


Sadly, I'm not involved enough in the Catholic religion to really feel all the jokes in "Saved!." But it's still a funny movie. Teen queen Mandy Moore also is quite funny and I (like many) wasn't expecting her to be much more than product placement.


"Saved!" isn't going to change the face of comedy. But it could change the attitudes of families who feel the need to be good Christians in this world that has drastically changed from when the guidebook was written. Afterall, it's easier to catch flies with honey than it is to catch them with vinegar.

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FileThirteen.com

The new Christian Youth get their comeuppance in "Saved," a black comedy that builds up wonderfully for 80 minutes before it starts resting on some well- worn arguments and just sort of lays there. In the end, it feels like an opportunity for something really bitter and black has been missed.

Jena Malone is awesome (as expected) as Mary, perhaps the most normal girl in all of her Christian academy. Mary hangs out with the cool Christian girls and has an awesome cute Christian boyfriend named Dean. Her single mom (Mary Louise Parker) is even dating their hip pastor and the dean of Mary's school (Martin Donovan). Before the movie is over, however, Mary will totally become a new person.

"Saved" takes on the modern Christian church's stance on just about everything. Dating, divorce, homosexuality, premarital sex, abortion, unwed mothers and more. But its true genius is how it subtly points out the flaws inherent in the modern church. Mary makes a mistake and is left with huge problems and needs help urgently. Yet as a respected young member of her church, she is left with no one to turn to when she needs help. Why? Because her friends are loving Christians. They're the new judgemental Christians. In the new Christian church, to need help is to admit that you have done wrong and this seems to be considered the most unforgivable error of all. It's a paradox of the new Christian movement and one that will ultimately bring about their extinction. Christianity, in its purest and most divine form, is about love and forgiveness. It's not a clique or a situation to used in order to put one person in a position of authority over another. This theme is explored wonderfully and subtly in "Saved." It is one of the things that makes the film worth seeing.

To be honest, the other reasons to see it, for me at least, is that Macaulay Culkin, Patrick Fugit (who has a wonderful scene here where he wears next to nothing), Kett Turton and Chad Faust are also in the film. These are some really attractive guys and they are in the film nearly as much as Malone and co-star Mandy Moore. Mac looks simply stunning. Could anyone in the world, even Angelina Jolie, have lips sexier than Mac's? I don't think so. As far as acting, everyone here does quite a wonderful job. Malone is brilliant. Culkin is the best we have ever seen him (almost making "Party Monster" forgivable) and Moore is a revelation. She plays a very difficult role here, one that is not what we expect from her. It's an edgy, biting, bitchy character and Moore is definitely playing against type. She does an awesome job and deserves much kudos for expanding into a career move that I'm sure many of her handlers advised against.

In the end, unfortunately, "Saved" begins to reflect the ridiculous optimism and ideals of a 17 year old. The climax, is quite perfunctory and expected. The confrontation here is sappy and while the film has a chance to say something about love and forgiveness, it opt instead to simply question New Christianity and challenge its authority. It's the kind of thing you would expect a college sophomore to have written. Up until this point, the film has been edgy and fun, almost a black comedy, so this lame clash of who's wrong and who's right is really a letdown.

Still, I think this is a good film for young people to see and I think, in many ways, it might be in the same league of one of my favorite films of all time, "The Breakfast Club." As an adult, the answers here seem easy and the problems all sort of melt away. If I were 18 and saw this movie though, I would think it was the best ****ing thing I ever saw.

It looks like a pretty good movie. Maybe I'll check it out...

I'm going.

Oh, guess who the producer of Saved is? None other than Mr. Michael Stipe!

I heard about this a while ago- it sounds like it'll be really funny- so I'll go see it. I thought Macauley Culkin had given up after Party Monster though- why'd he suddenly quit films after richie rich?

Originally posted by webuster
I thought Macauley Culkin had given up after Party Monster though

I'm not sure if he gave up after Party Monster or not, but Saved was filmed months before it even came out.

Originally posted by webuster
I heard about this a while ago- it sounds like it'll be really funny- so I'll go see it. I thought Macauley Culkin had given up after Party Monster though- why'd he suddenly quit films after richie rich?


He didn't quit films. In 1995 his parents had a major custody battle and wouldn't do films until it was settled. He didn't do any until Party Monster, even though the dispute was settled in 1997.

I'll probably go. It looks funny.

Originally posted by AKA
Oh, guess who the producer of Saved is? None other than Mr. Michael Stipe!

He's also one of the reasons why I want to see Saved!. I'm just curious to see if he is as talented in movies as he is musically.

We are about a week away from the release date... who's going to go see it?... I'm very surprised at the "buzz" this movie is generating, I read a news story today saying that several organizations are boycotting the film because of the way it is portraying Christians.

The critics are also kind of divided about "Saved!" Many of them LOVE the film and are calling it the best teen movie ever, yet there are some that are calling it "very insulting." I guess little Mandy Moore just lost her innocent image.

(I said this on another thread to someone blasting the concept)

I've spoken to several people, Christian and non, who think this movie will be hilarious.

The movie isn't mocking Christianity... it's mocking "fundamentalist conservative Christians", people like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, etc... Like it or not, the way they go on attacking everything, a movie like this was inevitable because most people, even many Christians, DO NOT AGREE with the way "Christian fundies" act. As long as they spew their bile and keep pissing people off, don't complain that someone decides to make a movie putting them in their rightful place. Saved will definately do well because a lot of people hate fundies.

Just because someone is a Christian doesn't automatically make them a fundie. Fundies are a small percentage of Christians, it's like saying that all Muslims are extremists (when the truth is, that is less than 5% of the total Muslims). I know many many Christians who hate the actions and attitudes of fundamentalists. I am glad someone is putting them in their rightful place. Fundies suck! I hope this movie is a smash

I think people who are offended by this movie have obviously never seen a John Waters style movie, or have never seen "But I'm A Cheerleader". I cannot wait to see it

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I've spoken to several people, Christian and non, who think this movie will be hilarious.

I was thinking about that yesterday as well. I was reading through IMdB, and several christians loved the film and found it hilarious. And like you said... the "fundies" are the ones that found it offensive. But I don't think the boycotting will go far, I read a review by a priest who actually enjoyed "Saved!" as well. If the main leaders of a religion won't support a boycott, I doubt others will.

I also want hope "Saved!" is a success... "Passion of The Christ" has brainwashed many, and we have to reverse the effect. Plus... Macaulay Culkin and Mandy Moore need a strong film to make a comeback. "Party Monster" did terribly, and "A Walk To Remember," and "The Princess Diaries" were Mandy's only successful films.

Why am I not finding that movie in my local papers??:confused: Is it not out yet?

Originally posted by Captain ABlairica
Why am I not finding that movie in my local papers??:confused: Is it not out yet?

If you live in a small (or fairly small) town, "Saved!" probably won't be playing there since it's a limited release. They are testing it out in bigger cities first.

I would of expected United Artists to give a wide release after all buzz and hype. Despite being limited, I'm sure it will do well.

Ah man, this sucks ass... I live in a pretty big city (Torrance/Palos Verdes/Rolling Hills area) in L.A., and they are not playing it here either, the only theaters playing it are in downtown L.A./Hollywood which is 15-20 miles away.

I guess I'll wait until next week.

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
If you live in a small (or fairly small) town, "Saved!" probably won't be playing there since it's a limited release. They are testing it out in bigger cities first.

I would of expected United Artists to give a wide release after all buzz and hype. Despite being limited, I'm sure it will do well. I can't even find it in the Seattle papers!! :confused: Where is that movie, I wanna see it!!

Originally posted by Captain ABlairica
I can't even find it in the Seattle papers!! :confused: Where is that movie, I wanna see it!!

United Artists is very misleading, since the beginning they said the movie was going to have a limited release, but not quite so "limited"- it was going to be widely available except in a few cities. But now, it's not even listed within 15 miles from my house.

And now, they are promoting "Saved!" as a wide release, during the American Idol finale, they aired a commercial and claimed that it "Opens Friday, everywhere!" Ugh, they need to make up their minds.

I don't think there's a UK release date for this yet- but as soon as this is released over here I'm gonna see it!

Originally posted by webuster
I don't think there's a UK release date for this yet- but as soon as this is released over here I'm gonna see it!

I can't wait to see this movie either, it's getting rave reviews here in the states. Plus, it seems as if Macaulay grew out of his "weird" phase, he seems so down to earth in "Live With Regis and Kelly."

Apparently it's not playing anywhere in this area yet, either. :mad: This pisses me off!

It's not playing near me yet either.... Now I'm going to have to see ****ing "Raising Helen" :( :crying: :(.

It did very well this weekend, so expect it to play in many more theaters next week.

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
United Artists is very misleading, since the beginning they said the movie was going to have a limited release, but not quite so "limited"- it was going to be widely available except in a few cities. But now, it's not even listed within 15 miles from my house.

some of us drive 15-20 minutes to a movie theater on average

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
some of us drive 15-20 minutes to a movie theater on average

Notice I said miles, LOL... that can be 45 minutes in L.A. traffic. :D

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
It did very well this weekend, so expect it to play in many more theaters next week.

CORRECTION: "Saved!" is going to get a wide release on June 11th, going against "The Stepford Wives," "The Chronicles of Riddick," and "Garfield: The Movie."

"Saved!" is going to get a wide release on June 11th, going against "The Stepford Wives," "The Chronicles of Riddick," and "Garfield: The Movie."

Oh my God- that is a hell of alot of competition. I can't wait to see The Stepford Wives either. I think June 11th must be the most cluttered date now. I don't think The Stepford Wives or anything that's a bit different (Saved! is too) should be released then, considering Harry Potter mania will still be in effect (I don't understand the Harry Potter obsession myself). I saw clips from Saved! today and it looks brilliant!

I don't think Saved will be a blockbuster, middle America rarely embraces black comedy (which is a reason I am still surprised Seinfeld got so big). I say $30-50 million tops, but even then, that will be very respectable for the genre.

I think Saved will really find it's audience when it comes out on video/DVD and later when it hits cable television.

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I don't think Saved will be a blockbuster, middle America rarely embraces black comedy (which is a reason I am still surprised Seinfeld got so big). I say $30-50 million tops, but even then, that will be very respectable for the genre.

I think Saved will really find it's audience when it comes out on video/DVD and later when it hits cable television.

I will be VERY impressed if it makes that much. Alot of the wide summer releases aren't even expected to make that much (in example... "Raising Helen," "Breaking All The Rules," and "Soul Plane.")

This movie looks good, I may go see it.

Who's going to go watch it this weekend?... It FINALLY opens everywhere.

I am looking forward to seeing this movie. It looks interesting. I asked a couple of my friends from my church if they were going to see it, and they said no because it makes fun of Christians. I honestly don't see it that way. I want to see this movie and decide for myself.

Originally posted by felicitylen
want to see this movie and decide for myself.

I applaud you for that.

I just saw the movie today. It was good. It doesn't make fun of Christians at all. There is a message to this movie and it was well said. I don't want to give away any spoilers. I think EVERYONE should go and see it. The cast is awesome. I have always been a big fan of Jena Malone and she did a great job.

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
I applaud you for that.

Thanks. :)

Actually, I just came back from seeing it also... VERY, VERY, VERY GOOD!!!... It brings up so many controversial subjects but deals with them in a very subtle yet effective way. Macaulay Culkin and Eva Amurri "save" this movie from becoming a bore by playing their subplot so amazingly, and Mandy Moore plays a bitch like no other- at times you want to jump into the screen to kick her ass!

Hopefully the Academy will honor this movie instead of treating it like any other teen flick.

Originally posted by felicitylen
It was good. It doesn't make fun of Christians at all.

I don't know why but I found the scene in which Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore,) is praying, and the "swear to God" part somewhat offensive, LOL, it rubbed me the wrong way. Hilary Faye was a little too devilish at times.

But I still LOVED the movie.

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
I don't know why but I found the scene in which Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore,) is praying, and the "swear to God" part somewhat offensive, LOL, it rubbed me the wrong way. Hilary Faye was a little too devilish at times.

But I still LOVED the movie.

I didn't see it as offensive. It was like, you could figure out that she was lying right then and there. People are always saying "I swear to God", but with Hilary Faye, she couldn't say it because she knew she was lying about the whole thing.

This movie showed the new character that Mandy Moore can play, and she definetly played it well.

I saw it today. I liked it, I dont think it made fun of Christians, but I could see why someone would think it does...

I LOVED the movie!! It was a great depiction of the plastic world evangelical Christians have created, and the struggles of kids trying to fit in. It wasn't mocking Christians at all, other than what needed to be mocked.

I saw it today and I really liked it. Some people in the audience were completely annoying me, though. I know that parts of the movie were supposed to be funny, but they were laughing at EVERYTHING. They seemed to find it to be hilarious evertyime God was mentioned. Anyways, I thought the whole cast did a great job, but I especially enjoyed Jena Malone and Eva Amurri's performances.

Originally posted by HuntingtonM15
They seemed to find it to be hilarious evertyime God was mentioned.

I AGREE WITH YOU 100%, although the movie wasn't anti-Christ at all, it seemed to attract many people who are, they especially laughed loudly at some of the comments made by Eva Ammuri's character- who I think stole the movie... she was great! I can't stop laughing at the "hot *****" line.

I liked it. I would of liked it more if Mandy Moore weren't in it. She can't act very well.

I saw it last Thursday and liked it. However, I don't really think my family was very crazy about it. It sort of reminded me of "How to Deal", the last Mandy Moore movie I saw in the theaters. I mean, you have a pregnant teen character, you have a long-haired rebel, you have the baby's father who is out of the picture (dead, gay), you have the whole "begins the last day of Summer" thing and you have music while the baby is being born.Plus, you have Mandy Moore and both movies skipped practically any month that didn't have a major Holiday. The only real differences are that "Saved!" had a religious slant and it from the POV of the pregnant teen instead of the Mandy Moore character. It was good though.

BTW, did anyone else think that the Mandy Moore character looked like Horatio Sanz before she had the surgery? LOL

Another bit of silliness from a "Christian" movie critic:

Movie critic warns about teen movie 'Saved'

Christian Examiner staff report

HOLLYWOOD--A prominent film expert has issued a warning for parents and church leaders about the newly released teen movie "Saved!", which he says is a sad, bigoted, anti-Christian movie that mocks the Christian faith.

"This is abhorrent and people of faith must be forewarned," Dr. Ted Baehr said.

Released May 28 by MGM, the dark comedy, about self-righteous Christian youths in an uptight Christian school, is being targeted to Christian teens.

Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of the Christian Film & Television Commission ministry, is urging other religious leaders to warn their constituents about the bigoted movie, which stars Mandy Moore and Macaulay Culkin.

"Saved! is a hateful, politically correct movie," Baehr said. "It is being marketted to the community it mocks to lead Christian youth astray and make them resent their faith."

According to a pre-production release, co-producer Sandy Stern said the script begged to be on the big screen.

"It's smart, funny, irreverent and extremely topical, and has attracted this dream cast," Stern said.

The cast also includes award-winning actress Mary Louise Parker, Eva Amurri, Heather Matarazzo, Martin Donovan, Elizabeth Thai and Chad Faust.

Religion News Service calls it a "light-hearted script that parodies and stereotypes evangelical Christians to explore the themes of teen-age pregnancy, homosexuality and social acceptance."

But Baehr maintains that the entire movie is nothing more than a
hit-piece that vilifies Christian teens.

Lending weight to his charges is a one-line promo in the pre-production release, which reads, "In this dark comedy, a young, talented cast comes together to get Saved," which according to the script, means they need saving from their faith.

'Life with all its warts'

On its "Christian Guide" link on the film's Web site, promoters point to a "disconnect in young people between their faith and their life in the 'real world.'" The movie, they said, captures it all.

"It's messey, portraying life with all its warts and confusion," the Web site said. "It addresses dozens of issues teens grapple with today and will launch them easily into significant spiritual discussions."

Baehr clearly disagrees saying that a major insult within the story line is the portrayal of the one character who tries to preach the gospel in the PG-13 film as a villain.

"The heroine Mary, played by Jena Malone, has a vision that Jesus tells her to fornicate with the school hunk in order to save him from homosexuality," the film reviewer said. "At the end, Mary learns that her only true friends are Cassandra, an irreverent Jewish girl who claims to have been a stripper, and the villain's brother, who denies being a Christian and lusts after the stripper."

In the end, Cassandra is portrayed as the real heroine who turns Mary from the uptight Christian students who believe in faith, values, and the power of prayer, Baehr said.

Widespread warning

Because of the movie's stereotypes, Baehr has also directed his warning to Jewish and Muslim leaders.

"Imagine if this movie were set in an Orthodox Jewish school with faithful Jewish children cast as villains and a Christian girl shows how legalistic the Jewish girls are," he said. "Or, what if it were set in an Islamic school with faithful Muslims cast as villains and a Christian or Jewish girl exposes how legalistic the Muslims are? The cry in the press would be tremendous! Not to mention the rightous outcry from Jews and Muslims!"

Baehr said he believes that MGM, in its marketing campaign to Christian teens, is trying "to divorce them from their faith!"

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, in a first-person column for Baptist Press, said the release of the film is part of an orchestrated campaign in Hollywood.

"Films like 'Saved' wouldn't be so alarming if Hollywood had a semblance of balance in its treatment of Christianity," Falwell wrote in his May 14 commentary. "But in today's Hollywood, rarely are there positive depictions of Christians. I admit there are a few crazies in the Christian community, but Hollywood chooses to depict us all as Fred Phelps-types who hate homosexuals and indignantly push our beliefs on others."

Falwell added that, with the success of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ," which garnered $370 million in the United States, making it the seventh biggest picture in history, he was hopeful Hollywood would pursue more movies that appeal to the Christian market.

"But I fear that the hatred against Christianity has so invaded the Hollywood culture that insiders cannot see past their predispositions against us," he wrote. "The end result is that we can expect more movies like 'Saved' to bitterly revile those who love the Christ of the Bible.

"And they say Christians are the ones who are intolerant and divisive."