One of the biggest problems in most Christian genre movies is their lack of edge, a reluctance on the part of the filmmakers to show ugly reality.
To Save a Life
Some people are just dying to be heard.
2009 · 2h · PG-13
Drama
Directed by
Brian Baugh
Overview
Jake Taylor has everything. He has a beautiful girl, he's the champion in basketball and beer pong, and everyone loves him. Then, an old childhood friend of his commits suicide. Jake wonders what he could've done to save his friend's life. A youth minister tells him that Jake needs God. So Jake becomes a Christian. However, things begin to spin out of control. Jake is going to realize just what it means to be a Christian and how, to save a life.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
Miles ahead in terms of production values and an avoidance of overt proselytizing. It'll likely be an enormous hit with the evangelical communities at which it's targeted. That doesn't save it from being an utter failure outside that narrow context.
To Save a Life would be bland and boring even as a half-hour after-school special.
But forget the lame performances and arch, preachy sentiment; the movie's sham hip-hop and spurious alternative music alone should keep teenagers away. Thank goodness.
This is a deftly acted, generally absorbing cautionary tale with wider allure than its faith-based label may imply.
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