On the second Thursday of each month we plan to watch an interesting film together and discuss it afterwards. This month was Saved!, a controversial film about teenagers set in a Christian high school, produced by Michael Stipe of REM. You can read a plot summary here. The film's makers said this about it:
'Saved presents authentic Christian teens who make poor choices, have a crisis of faith, seek answers, and ultimately emerge with a genuine faith made strong by the fire of life. This movie will also make people uncomfortable or possibly offend. It’s messy, portraying life with all its warts and confusion.'
I thought that the film had an amazing message of grace; how Jesus still loves us despite our shortcomings. I like this exchange at the end:
Mary: So everything that doesn’t fit into some stupid idea of what you think God wants, you just try to hide or fix or get rid of? Its just all too much to live up to. No-one fits in 100% of the time. Not even you.
Pastor Skip: I know that Mary....
Dean: I know in my heart... that Jesus still loves me
Mary: Why did God make us so different if he wanted us to be the same?
At the end of the movie Mary says,
“I mean, really, when you think about it, what would Jesus do? I don't know. But in the meantime we'll be trying to figure it out... together.”
New SofaChurch motto perhaps?
I also liked the attack on superficial, hypocritical faith. Anyway, enough of what I think (I chose the film after all...) What did you think? PS If you couldn't make it tonight the film is available for loan.
5 comments:
Does "losing my religion" feature in this at all? or is there any relationship between the song and the film?
No, no obvious link at all between them.
Looking at the film's entry on imdb.com I saw this interesting funfact:
The woman who coached Mandy Moore and Eva Amurri on speaking in tongues gave them several phrases that they could repeat, including "she bought a Hyundai" and "untie my bow tie."
My favourite one of these was always "I'll have a lager and she'll have a shandy"
Having felt like I've not really 'made the grade' as a Christian over the years (you know, never been on the leadership for anything, never found prayer or Bible reading either easy or enjoyable, not felt I measure up to 'super-Christians'), I like the idea in this film that it's the gang who seem the most messy and mixed up who are actually closer to getting it right than the seemingly holy 'Christian Jewels'.
I just love the bit where Hilary Fay throws her Bible at Mary shouting, "I am FILLED with the love of Christ!"
Actually Tim, we're glad you've brought it up, as we've been meaning to have a word with you about your level of involvement with SofaChurch given those unusual interests...
;o)
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