re:mote voices

Title: Saved!

Cast: Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Eva Amurri, Patrick Fugit, Martin Donovan

Director: Brian Dannelly

The story of Saved! revolves around the school American Eagle Christian High and some of it’s students. Mary (Jena Malone – Donnie Darko) is part of the “Christian Jewels” – a girl group led by Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore ), who perform religious songs at school events. As such, the revelation that Mary’s boyfriend is gay comes as a shock. Despite the idea that sex before marriage is wrong, Mary decides to give up her virginity and have sex, with the expectation that it will save her boyfriend from his perversion. This back fires however when her boyfriend ends up in a religious retreat and she realises she is pregnant. This puts her at odds with her devout friends, driving her towards the more “rebellious” members of the school body – which pretty much consists of the Jewish girl in a Christian school, and Hilary Faye’s wheelchair bound brother (Macauley Caulkin – Home Alone).

Showing in the UK at the same time as the American presidential election, Saved! says something about a certain strata of American society, which played such a big part in the political struggle. Specifically Saved! revolves around the way that some regard Christianity and how that makes them lead their lives and strive towards saving the souls of sinners. The approach the film makes to the topic is certainly tinged with a certain irreverence. Cleverly written, Saved! has a definite charm and wit, that allows the film to hold together in a solid manner, while being resolutely amusing. For me at least, Saved! is something of a gem with the lead cast of Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Eva Amurri, Macauley Caulkin and Martin Donovan being particularly strong.