saved?

After seeing the preview for Saved! several weeks ago, I was determined to catch it as soon as it came out. Finally went to see it with my sister this afternoon. Having grown up in the evangelical youth culture, much of the film rung true. Though my experience was not quite as dramatic, or perhaps entertaining, I can see much of what was portrayed in the movie as being somewhat accurate.

While I enjoyed it (laughing aloud a few too many times in the otherwise quiet theatre...I don't think the other folks there got the jokes and sarcasm), the movie will undoubtedly push the buttons of some fundementalist Christian groups who do not recognize it as a satirical look at Christianity and youth culture. (A prime example being the youth pastor shouting juvenile sounding catchphrases to a packed assembly hall in an earnest attempt to make Christianity relevant to kids: "Jesus is in the houuuse!") After we left the theatre, my sister, while recognizing that it was funny at some points, admitted that she was a little uncomfortable watching it. Not that she's a Hilary Faye Christian in any way - just that she's more conservative minded, as opposed to my more liberal leanings.

The film was great on so many levels (I'd watch it several times over), but fails to reach any conclusions at the end. Which, while it may be disappointing to some who would have preferred a more definitive ending, seems to speak to Dannelly's own struggles and confusion regarding his own faith.

I feel like I've already been born again - once you get saved, you're saved - but I just think that we're on a journey, and I would never want to say that I'm one way, because you never know where you'll be tomorrow. When I'm thinking about God, I think God totally gets that I'm confused or not sure right now, but I never thought that that was a bad thing as long as you continue on the journey.
-Brian Dannelly (in an interview)

The great thing about the frayed ending is that it leaves each person to question his or her own belief system. Rather than unquestioningly taking on an entire belief system because "it's right" and it's Christian," I'd like to think that it challenges us to evaluate what our personal values are based on. I hope it opens up dialogue about how we, as a society, and we, as individuals, view differences - whether with acceptance, tolerance, or outright rejection.

A few tidbits worth noting about the film: it was produced by Michael Stipe of R.E.M fame and filmmaker Brian Dannelly himself attended a Catholic elementary school, a Baptist high school, and spent summers at a Jewish camp.