Are the characters realistic? what branch of Christianity were they? I wondered why the high school girls wore so much make up and short skirts. Also I thought the rebel girl was a little over the top. Really would a religious school allow public smoking & that much acting out? And oh what a coincidence, she just happened to give birth during the prom. I know know wouldn't have made the movie had some of it been extreme. I'm most curious if the religious characters were a little exaggerated too is why I'm asking.
I loved the ending with the picture of the new mom & baby, her boyfriend, baby's father with his boyfriend. That's where I'd feel most 'home' in a nook with "misfits" :D or free thinkers.
Even being a teen mom she really loved her baby the way she looked at her when she held her was so sweet.
1 more Q. what was the message you got from the movie?

I personally thought the message was that God is different to everyone - some people believe in Wicca, some Christianity, some Jewish, some Muslim etc etc etc - that we all basically worship the same God, just different names and in different ways.

I enjoyed the movie. I found it funny. Not very realistic, imo. I agree, I don't think a religious school would allow that much rebellion, but it was still a good movie imo.

the religious school I went to didn't necessarily "allow" that type of behavior, but they knew we were doing it and never made an issue of it. like, we would step *just* over the line of school property and smoke. the sisters could see us, but we were not on school property so they could not do anything. they could have called us out, or called our folks, but they didn't.

Take the movie for what it was -- a hysterical movie, a dark comedy, set to show how hysterical humans are, especially where religion is concerned -- and how easy it is to "use" religion as a weapon, not to mention as a strange popularity contest. Then toss in the fact its also a coming of age movie, with at least one strong moral -- be yourself, whoever that is, whatever you believe, just be yourself. (I love how they used stereotypes in the movie -- great script.)

That is, at least, my opinion.

Grassaf,

Becca

Originally posted by Rebecca
Take the movie for what it was -- a hysterical movie, a dark comedy, set to show how hysterical humans are, especially where religion is concerned -- and how easy it is to "use" religion as a weapon, not to mention as a strange popularity contest. Then toss in the fact its also a coming of age movie, with at least one strong moral -- be yourself, whoever that is, whatever you believe, just be yourself. (I love how they used stereotypes in the movie -- great script.)

That is, at least, my opinion.

Grassaf,

Becca

:ditto: :D
And also, you can rebel against your religion to find God.

Originally posted by Rebecca
Take the movie for what it was -- a hysterical movie, a dark comedy, set to show how hysterical humans are, especially where religion is concerned -- and how easy it is to "use" religion as a weapon, not to mention as a strange popularity contest. Then toss in the fact its also a coming of age movie, with at least one strong moral -- be yourself, whoever that is, whatever you believe, just be yourself. (I love how they used stereotypes in the movie -- great script.)

That is, at least, my opinion.

Grassaf,

Becca

:ditto:

we just watched it last week, and it is absolutely a sattire,,an exaggeration but with some great points...I loved that the real side of the "perfect Christian Girl" came out loud and clear...because that was all external gunk that a lot of people might think was proof she was a good "Christian", but really what was on the inside. Sort of goes along with the discomfort a lot of former church going mom's here have with "Christianity"...the facade of it, the way they look so nice but aren't really showing any real fruits or any real "Jesus love" in their life...

I even let my 12 year old watch it,,,though we had her close her eyes a few times...so we could talk about being a "christian"....

but the reality about Christian school is...they are kids! A diverse group of teens, probably not all living in relationship with God, because really, I think for one you have to live a lot of life to make a real faith decision.

That may be easy for me, choosing to live in relationship with him after being raised in a non-Christian home, and practising another faith before coming to find peace where I am now...I have not and will not let my daughter be baptized (she keeps asking) for a while,,she is young to make such a decision,,and I want it to be her, not me... I am pretty sensitive to the fine line between just raising my children to "believe" because I told them to, and raising them to really choose that relationship for themselves. Really, I would rather my kids choose another faith completely than just blindly do what I do as adults,,I want them to really "Belive and seek in their hearts"..

I know in our town, the Christian school is a great facility, but the measure of a Christian varies so much, and a lot of families find it is the last place their troubled kids can go after being kicked out of the public schools,,so they call themselves a "Christian" family, but that may just mean that they are members of a church they attend on holidays, and not that they have made any real decisions or are in relationship with God at all...it is just the image and title....sort of gross but whatever,,ya know?

I saw it last night...this thread is what got me curious enough to rent it.

NO, it is not at all realistic. The schools I went to (Catholic grade school 5th-8th grade, all-girls Catholic high school) would not have put up with short skirts, smoking, heavy make-up, etc. Although there was a girl in my class who became pg junior year. She did go to junior prom very pg (gave birth over the summer) Her pregnancy was never treated as a disgrace that needed to be fixed. The sisters always treated her with respect and had the attitude that babies are always a blessing, however unfortunate the timing. They showed concern for her future and with her parents encouraged adoption. She decided to keep her baby and went on to graduate and then marry the baby's father.

I did find the movie somewhat offensive. Satire is one thing but it seemed a bit much that EVERY Christian main character was a self-righteous hypocrite. And all the "heros" of the story were people who had no need for God. The only saving grace was that tiny moment where the really bad girl prayed in her car. If the message of the movie was supposed to have been that you don't need religion to have God I would have had more tolerance for the movie. I got the impression the message was more like you don't need God if you have friends. Well, that and all Christians are either brainwashed or self-righteous hypocrites.

Danielle I am familiar with Catholicism, my dh was raised religious including school. This movie seemed more in the fundamentalist Christian vein. I've known a few people who were enthusiastic like that but it was a long time ago.
Did you notice the lead singer from REM ? He was either in directing or producing I can't remember which.

The church I attend now, when I attend (I'm a hard fit church-wise lol) is a fundamentalist, non-denominational Christian Church. Quite a few of my friends from church have children that attend the church's school. Since we homeschool I don't have any direct contact with the school but all my friends' children are just regular kids. And two of my friends went to school there themselves.

I dunno, the movie just really seemed over the top in a mocking, condescending sort of way.

Although take my opinion with a giant grain of salt. In general stupid slapstick comedies rank among my least favorite kind of movie regardless of subject manner. I much prefer deep serious dramas that end in a good cathartic cry LOL!

I didn't notice the REM guy. I was supposed to read the credits too? D'oh!

I thought it was hilarious....and Danielle, I didn't take it that all the main characters were self-rightouse....as a matter of fact, I really liked the principal guy...he seemed very real and honest to me....like someone I would like to have discussions with. The only one that I found the way you described was the Mandy Moore characther.

The movie was very unrealistic to me....but then we rented Hell House....whoa! That is scary! It's a documentary about a Christina high school that puts on a "Halloween Haunted House" type of thing. Anyhow, DH and I laughed through saved and said, no way people like that exist...the next night we were somber and quite disturbed by the Hell House movie.

seemed over the top.



High school kids tend to be idealistic and therefore miopic (the girl trying to save everyone right and left though she had major issues of her own!)

I enjoyed the mix of personalities at the school and the pastor esp. was intriguing to try to figure out!

I went to a Southern Baptist high school and it was completely realistic to me. Trust me, it was like a documentary of my life at that time. :rolleyes:

the principal guy wasn't so much self righteous...he was the hypocrite (being in a position of Christian authority when he was so willing to explore an extra-marital relationship with a student's parent)

But,. like I said, not my kind of movie at all.

Originally posted by Maribel
Anyhow, DH and I laughed through saved and said, no way people like that exist...the next night we were somber and quite disturbed by the Hell House movie.

Hate to be the one to burst that bubble for ya, but LOTS of folks like the characters in that movie exist!! Trust me! Living in the South, in the heart of the "Bible belt", I can assure you that they exist in DROVES.

As for the movie, I thought it was hysterical --- and I truly enjoy how a dark comedy can shine light on truths via the use of satire and seemingly "over the top" characters or situations. I think "Saved" is a perfect example of how that can be done in a brilliant fashion.

Grassaf,

Becca

The main character, the pregnant one, was a sympathetic real Christain. I think in the end she never lost her faith. I thought that was sweet.

Michael Stipes from REM is either homosexual or bisexual so maybe parts or whole of the movie are his truth, his story or a story of someone he knows or combination of those things. This is his art kwim?
Brookyn I liked the pg one too she was sweet. She always believed just not like the way a few people wanted her to.

Originally posted by J3
Michael Stipes from REM is either homosexual or bisexual so maybe parts or whole of the movie are his truth, his story or a story of someone he knows or combination of those things. This is his art kwim? I believe Michael Stipe didn't have really anything to do with the writing of the film. He stepped in to help after the movie lost its original funding.

I loved the movie. I was an active Christian in high school, and I remember some people who were very similar to the characters in the movie. I thought it was hilarious, and enjoyed every minute of it..

And Susan Sarandon's daughter Eva was great in it.