Saved!...ok a bit longer this time
Well now that Scott has put me on the spot by citing my "review" of Saved!, I suppose that I actually have to write a review. The few sentences I posted immediately after seeing the movie certainly do not constitute a review. Alas, I thought I could get away with a rare opportunity to say little with few words (as opposed to saying little with many words). But after reading some of the opinions floating around about the movie, I feel that it is my duty to respond.
First of all, a few caveats. Saved! is a teen movie by genre, which immediately supposes that it is not a magnificent work of art. Teen movies can be works of art (see John Hughes), but this one certainly aint The Breakfast Club. However, the movie is extremely powerful as a satire, and as a comment on the state of Christianity today. Moreover, it is also a very accurate depiction of the development of faith.
I won't go into any kind of plot synopsis here, so if you haven't seen it, please go do so. Now that is taken care of, let us commence. The primary complaint I hear about the movie is the exaggerated stereotypes. No one is really like that, are they? Let us remember the function of satire, to demonstrate the hilarity of certain aspects of a group or person by exaggerating them greatly. However, even the most ridiculous characters, like Hillary Faye and Pastor Skip, are not far from reality. They also have a depth that is revealed as the story progresses. For one, both of them really do believe that their interpretation of God is true. Their religion is one of cause and effect, reward and punishment. As long is God is kept satified by piety, things go well. Mary, of course, is a walking deconstruction of this idea. Throughout the film she continues to challenge the notions of divine retribution, culminating in her standing before a cross and shouting curse words. I think, in a way, these are her Psalms of lament. She is finally taking all of that frustration and giving it to God. Pastor Skip, on the other hand, really wants to love unconditionally, but he is afraid. If he steps out into the unknown, the "gray areas," he faces the wrath of God.
Saved! also shows the general awkwardness of incorporating the mainstream Christian culture into teenage life. Isn't it funny that kids will always find ways to exclude, rebel, etc, even in the context of a Christian school? Pastor Skip's son returns from a missions trip. This is the Christian-kid equivalent of following the Dead on tour or backpacking around Europe. Hillary Faye fully expects the experience to cement the judgemental identity set in him that the rest have adopted. Instead, his real world experience has made him compassionate, gracious, and humble. He stands out as a freak among the masses.
But one does not need to go to foreign countries to experience the real. Mary's world becomes real very quickly. She learns that all of the questions in life cannot be solved by a simple system. She also learns that the faith of the Bible is a faith of real people. She connects with her namesake, the virgin Mary, at a Christmas play. For the first time in her life she realizes that this almost mythical character she has read about all her life was a real person, too. Interestingly, this does not weaken her faith as she thinks about the virgin birth. It makes it even easier for her to accept it.
Sure, the ending of Saved! ties things up in a clean, Hollywood sort of way. Maybe that's the way it should be. If the film were nothing but hate and discontent, it would have no value. Instead, it ends as all of the scathing prophecies of the Bible do: in reconciliation and hope. I'm not putting the movie on the level of the book of Amos or anything, but I truly feel that Saved! is a parable for today that we all need to take notice of.
First of all, a few caveats. Saved! is a teen movie by genre, which immediately supposes that it is not a magnificent work of art. Teen movies can be works of art (see John Hughes), but this one certainly aint The Breakfast Club. However, the movie is extremely powerful as a satire, and as a comment on the state of Christianity today. Moreover, it is also a very accurate depiction of the development of faith.
I won't go into any kind of plot synopsis here, so if you haven't seen it, please go do so. Now that is taken care of, let us commence. The primary complaint I hear about the movie is the exaggerated stereotypes. No one is really like that, are they? Let us remember the function of satire, to demonstrate the hilarity of certain aspects of a group or person by exaggerating them greatly. However, even the most ridiculous characters, like Hillary Faye and Pastor Skip, are not far from reality. They also have a depth that is revealed as the story progresses. For one, both of them really do believe that their interpretation of God is true. Their religion is one of cause and effect, reward and punishment. As long is God is kept satified by piety, things go well. Mary, of course, is a walking deconstruction of this idea. Throughout the film she continues to challenge the notions of divine retribution, culminating in her standing before a cross and shouting curse words. I think, in a way, these are her Psalms of lament. She is finally taking all of that frustration and giving it to God. Pastor Skip, on the other hand, really wants to love unconditionally, but he is afraid. If he steps out into the unknown, the "gray areas," he faces the wrath of God.
Saved! also shows the general awkwardness of incorporating the mainstream Christian culture into teenage life. Isn't it funny that kids will always find ways to exclude, rebel, etc, even in the context of a Christian school? Pastor Skip's son returns from a missions trip. This is the Christian-kid equivalent of following the Dead on tour or backpacking around Europe. Hillary Faye fully expects the experience to cement the judgemental identity set in him that the rest have adopted. Instead, his real world experience has made him compassionate, gracious, and humble. He stands out as a freak among the masses.
But one does not need to go to foreign countries to experience the real. Mary's world becomes real very quickly. She learns that all of the questions in life cannot be solved by a simple system. She also learns that the faith of the Bible is a faith of real people. She connects with her namesake, the virgin Mary, at a Christmas play. For the first time in her life she realizes that this almost mythical character she has read about all her life was a real person, too. Interestingly, this does not weaken her faith as she thinks about the virgin birth. It makes it even easier for her to accept it.
Sure, the ending of Saved! ties things up in a clean, Hollywood sort of way. Maybe that's the way it should be. If the film were nothing but hate and discontent, it would have no value. Instead, it ends as all of the scathing prophecies of the Bible do: in reconciliation and hope. I'm not putting the movie on the level of the book of Amos or anything, but I truly feel that Saved! is a parable for today that we all need to take notice of.