Starring: Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, Joshua Weigel
Rated: PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving teen suicide, teen drinking,
some drug content, disturbing images and sexuality
Whenever we hear the genre of Christian movies, we always think of campy movies with ridiculous stories and cheesy acting that push some morality or message in a preachy way (see any of the Christiano brothers’ films.) While some are surprised by this criticism, I still feel that some of the best Christian films to date were made by non-Christians (Amazing Grace, Chariots of Fire.) However, the high school drama To Save a Life may change some of my critique of the genre.
To Save a Life starts by making a good quality film. While the cinematography and editing in most Christian films is nauseating, To Save a Life takes some Hollywood veterans to tell its story, making sure that the story isn’t lost simply by bad filmmaking. It also is completely honest in its depiction; this high school story has depictions of beer pong, cussing, pot-smoking and premarital sex. While some Christian films won’t even say these words in their movies (see Pamela’s Prayer), To Save a Life deals with them in a way, not to titillate its audience, but to depict the world that we live in, warts and all. This helps people not only take the movie seriously, but also actually deal with issues, since it’s honest enough to deal with them without a certain snobbery or judgmental attitude. It also pushes the meaning behind life, moral issues and a relationship with Christ rather than just the exterior morality that most Christian films camp on. The film wisely doesn’t say “you need to become a Christian” but, instead, asks “what is your life about and what gives it meaning?” Then it depicts how all other roads are fleeting. A wise distinction.
Not all is perfect with To Save a Life; it’s your typical high-school film, filled with enough problems to make an entire season of 7th Heaven. Because of this, the pace of the film is rapid, often rushing from one scene of social problems to the next without proper time to deal with any of them well. Because of this, the script is occasionally too blunt for it’s own good, and the ending borders on the ridiculous. That having been said, it’s no worse than other Hollywood high school genre films, such as A Walk to Remember or John Tucker Must Die. And, unlike the others, To Save a Life actually says something worth saying. It’s not a perfect film, but any film that makes people (especially unbelievers) question the meaning and purpose behind life is a success. It doesn’t paint “religion” as the answer, and it certainly shows that a relationship with God doesn’t “fix” all your problems (take note Kendrick brothers.) But it does show the value of living a life worth living and the beauty of how a relationship with God changes everything. To Save a Life isn’t the greatest Christian film ever made, but it’s a step in the right direction.
No comments:
Post a Comment