Saved! (PG-13, 2004)

common sense media says

Begins as a satire, ends with a renewal of faith.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has very mature material for a PG-13, including extremely strong language and explicit sexual references and situations, including adultery, teen sex, and homosexuality. Characters smoke (smoking is portrayed as an indicator of being cool and rebellious) and drink. Characters shoot guns at a target range and there is some mild violence (no one hurt). Strengths of the movie include the positive portrayal of disabled and gay characters and the ultimate conclusion about the importance of seeking the real meaning of the Bible's teachings.

Violence: Comic violence.
Sex: Strong sexual references and situations for a PG-13, including teen pregnancy.
Language: Some strong language for a PG-13.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Teen smoking, drinking, and drug use. Smoking is portrayed as an indicator of being cool and rebellious.

More on Saved!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how they think about their own religion and the religions practiced by others. Mary asks "Why would God make us all different if He wanted us to be the same?"

What's the story?

What's the story?
In SAVED!, Mary (Jena Malone) is about to start her senior year at the Eagle Mountain Christian School when her boyfriend Dean confesses that he thinks he is gay. She decides to "save" him by having sex with him, believing that it will not count as losing her virginity if it is for such a holy purpose. But Dean's parents find gay porn in his room and send him off to a facility to be "cured." Mary finds out that she is pregnant, and begins to question whether the faith she has accepted as it was presented to her is a fair portrayal of the teachings of Jesus. Then there's Hillary Faye (Mandy Moore), who uses her literal "holier-than-thou" status to rule the school, especially her in-crowd group, called the Christian Jewels. On the other side because they are willing to ask questions are the school's only Jewish student, Cassandra (Eva Amurri), Hillary Faye's brother Roland (Macauley Culkin), confined to a wheelchair due to a childhood accident, and Pastor Skip's son Patrick (Patrick Fugit), who is interested in Mary.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The first thing teenagers figure out is that it is enticingly easy to make fun of believers in any category. What's nice about this movie is that it does so while still entirely respectful of belief. It begins as a satire of new age-y holier than thou people who spend more time worrying about the appearance of Christianity than the values. But it concludes with a renewed commitment to a faith that engages the mind and heart. You could even call it grace.

The script teeters into predictability at times but the outstanding young cast is wonderfully vibrant, especially Amurri, whose freshness -- in both senses of the word -- works very well for her character. As the school's pastor, Martin Donovan makes it clear that his character is genuinely a man of faith who is not quite sure if he has what it takes to inspire others to share what he feels so strongly in his heart. Hillary Faye uses her faith to establish her power and prestige. She, too, has a secret that fuels her need to control the way she is perceived. The movie is not afraid to skewer its targets, but importantly it is careful to make those targets hypocrisy and arrogance and not faith. Indeed, the movie makes it clear that superficial professions of faith are a distraction from genuine commitment to the values that are the basic principles of Christianity or any religion.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Brian Dannelly
Cast: Jena Malone, Macaulay Culkin, Mandy Moore
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 92 minutes
Theatrical release: May 28, 2004
DVD release: October 5, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: strong thematic issues involving - sexual content, pregnancy, smoking and language

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14

Most useful reviews by all members

Alexishiva
teen, 17 years old
 
I loved it!
This movie was great in a way that other movies aren't. It didn't have any of the stupid teen sexual jokes. It also has a wonderful funny but moving script. I loved this movie!!! I would suggest it for 13+ and would give it 20 stars if possible! Definitely not appropriate for younger middle schoolers or elementry age kids!

gir8
kid, 12 years old
 
One Of My Favorite Movies
Saved! is one of my favorite movies. It's realstic, funny, witty, and, oh my gosh, it's just excellent!

 
Teen Comedy is no longer an oxymoron!
This movie is really funny, but there is really strong sexual content. The start of the movie is when Mary has sex with her boyfriend after he tells her he is gay, because she thinks it will "de-gay" him. After that, there is a lot more sexual references. There is one use of the f-word, and a lot of s-words. Some teens smoke and drink. But this is a really funny movie and tolerance is a theme.

beckiem
adult
 
Probably not okay to very conservative parents or children
The movie begins very differently from how it ends. At the start it is easy to see the negative tilt on the showy religious displays and the hypocrisy and close-mindedness of the characters. However, after Mary discovers that she is pregnant, she reexamines her faith, testing what she was taught (standing in front of a church and swearing to see if God would do anything, one of the only instances of questionable language). The supporting characters are seen in shifting ways--Mary's clique of friends abandons her, while the school rebel befriends her and becomes her support. In the end, this movie has a good message about discovering for yourself, not trusting first impressions, acceptance and tolerance.

LikeOdette
teen, 16 years old
 
Great teen movie
This is one of my favorite movies about high school. Actually, it is my favorite movie of all time. This movie tackles all kinds of issues up & down with a touch of Christianity. Actors are all great. Lots of inappropriate stuff, however. You might think this is a bad influence for a movie. If you have the mature mind, you'll see how great it is & see the movie's "what-not-to-do-in-high-school" aspects. Beautiful movie. I recommend it.

Jadenp
teen, 15 years old
 
Great great movie, but not for anyone under 14
Suggested MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexuality/sexual content, some strong language, crude and sexual humor throughout- all involving teens. This movie is a very good movie, however it has inappropriate content throughout- including teen pregnancy, sex scenes, smoking, gay relationships, and crude sexual humor throughout.

whateverdubs
kid, 11 years old
 
Whateverdubs.
It was soooooooooo funny! Probabaly my favorite Jena Malone movie, besides Donnie Darko! It was funny. The jewish girl was hilarious... Kind of racy though, only sex and drug wise. which is sort of the most severe. Hahah good.

 
awesome discussion starter for family
I saw this movie in the theatre and laughed throughout it. It does have some questionable scenes in it, and may not be for more conservative parents or families. I think that there are a lot of points and discussions that could come out of the movie. It would be very wise to make sure to talk with your children about the movie before or afterward, because there may be some awesome points to discuss, that could turn into some cool conversations. If you are a religious family, don't disregard the movie right away, because it is an awesome eye opener.

 
One of my favorite movies of all time, a winner! Worth watching.
I absolutely love this movie, personally. I could watch it over and over again, and never get tired of watching it. It covers a lot of teen issues, which are clearly mentioned in most reviews on here. No use repeating. Good messages, however terrible role models. One message is directed to Christians: no matter how bad life may seem or how sinful you are, Jesus will always love you.

Daisiexoxo
teen, 14 years old
 
Although i like pretty much every movie i see i love this movie. It can show to many about how people tend to be fixated on their own opinion and aren't open minded in anything but what they believe in. Great movie, watch it.

 
heart-warming satire
I came across this movie while channel surfing and was pleasantly surprised by it. It opens with a overly "wholesome," god-fearing, needlessly sheltered and superstitious clique in a christian school. (Satire is obvious from the start, but not obnoxious or disrespectful.) Real-life issues, such as homosexuality and teen pregnancy, are quickly introduced and cause a great deal of confliction within the characters. The school is then divided between the judgemental "good christians" and the struggling "sinners," who show more compassion towards one another than their holier-than-thou counterparts. The moral of the story is tolerance. But it also poses the question "What would Jesus do?" with the most unlikely characters pulling through to answer that question in their own actions. IE: The rebellious non-christian girl in the begining of the movie shows she has a bigger heart and more insight than most of her christian classmates when she offers a pregnant teen her help and friendship. I think the rating was appropriate, as many of the situations portrayed in the movie are things all teenagers have to struggle with in some way.

asecoolish
teen, 14 years old
 
funny i enjoyed it theres alot of crude humor but nothing teens wont understand.

LaShautyJeana
teen, 17 years old
 
i haven't see it..i'm trying to find a site to watch it but i don't find any

Cyonnara
teen, 17 years old
 
okay for older kids who aren't teens
I cant say this movie was amazing but it was enjoyable and older kids can handle it.

skyking
adult
 
Embarrased to watch with my 13 yr old

 
misleading!
I feel they portrayed Christians as a very opinionated, pious group of people. The Christian beliefs were mocked. while the non Christians were made out to be heroes. In no way do I consider this a comedy. In trying to show how opinionated a Christian can be the director is being opinionated towards the Christian beliefs. I feel this is not satire but a blatant attack on the Christian Faith.

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