Saved! Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Jesus-loving teen tries to de-gay her boyfriend, gets pregnant, and then has to figure out high school, all while questioning everything she thought she knew.

🍿 Saved!: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Vision and a Revelation

Mary, a devout senior at American Eagle Christian High School, is shocked when her boyfriend, Dean, confesses he thinks he’s gay. While praying for guidance in a pool, she has a vision of Jesus instructing her to help Dean. Misinterpreting the message, Mary believes she can ‘cure’ Dean through sex, thinking God will restore her spiritual virginity if successful.

Pregnancy and Ostracism

Mary’s attempt to ‘save’ Dean fails, and he’s sent to a conversion therapy camp. She discovers she’s pregnant, a secret she keeps from Dean and her mother, Lillian. Her pregnancy leads to ostracism from her former friends, particularly the zealous Hilary Faye, who sees it as a betrayal of their shared faith.

Finding Acceptance Among Outcasts

Rejected by her Christian clique, Mary finds unexpected friendship with the school’s outcasts: Cassandra, a rebellious Jewish girl; Roland, Hilary Faye’s wheelchair-bound brother; and Patrick, the skateboarding son of Pastor Skip, the school’s principal. These new friends offer Mary support and acceptance during her pregnancy and challenges her faith.

Hypocrisy and Hidden Relationships

As Mary navigates her pregnancy, she witnesses the hypocrisy within her religious community. She learns about the hidden relationship between her mother and the married Pastor Skip, further testing her faith and challenging her preconceived notions about morality and salvation. These revelations force her to question the judgment and actions of those around her.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mary (Jena Malone): A devout Christian high school senior whose life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes pregnant.
• Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore): The outwardly perfect, zealous Christian girl who ostracizes Mary after her pregnancy.
• Roland (Macaulay Culkin): Hilary Faye’s wheelchair-bound brother who challenges her religious beliefs.
• Patrick (Patrick Fugit): The pastor’s son and new student who shows compassion and supports Mary.
• Cassandra (Eva Amurri): A rebellious Jewish transfer student who becomes Mary’s unlikely friend and confidante.
• Dean (Chad Faust): Mary’s boyfriend who comes out as gay and is sent to conversion therapy.
• Pastor Skip (Martin Donovan): The school’s principal and Patrick’s father, whose actions contradict his religious teachings.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hilary Faye: “Mary, turn away from Satan. Jesus, he loves you.” – Hilary Faye tries to ‘save’ Mary after she becomes pregnant, showcasing her zealous and judgmental nature.
• Hilary Faye: “I am FILLED with Christ’s love!” – Hilary Faye shouts this while throwing a bible at Mary, highlighting the hypocrisy of her actions versus her words.
• Mary: “This is not a weapon! You idiot.” – Mary’s response after Hilary Faye throws the bible at her, underscoring the misuse of religious symbols.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $8,940,582
• Worldwide Gross: $10,275,509

💥 Saved! Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Saved!’ for the first time and being totally blown away. As someone who grew up around religion, the movie felt so real and relatable. The hypocrisy of some characters really hit home, but I also loved how it showed the power of friendship and acceptance. The scene where Mary questions her faith after everything falls apart was incredibly powerful. I left the movie feeling like I had a better understanding of myself and the people around me. Definitely a rewatch!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of teen comedies with a satirical edge”
  • “Viewers interested in films exploring religious themes and social commentary”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with strong female leads and ensemble casts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Teen pregnancy”
  • “Discussions of homosexuality and conversion therapy”
  • “Mature themes related to religion and faith”
  • “Some language and suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A surprisingly witty and insightful take on faith, friendship, and the trials of adolescence. The performances are excellent, especially Mandy Moore’s portrayal of the seemingly perfect Hilary Faye. Delivers sharp satire with a heart.
• Rolling Stone: “Saved! manages to be both funny and thought-provoking, tackling complex issues with surprising grace. While it occasionally veers into caricature, the film’s ultimately optimistic message resonates. A standout performance by Jena Malone anchors the story.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Smart, sharp, and surprisingly sweet, Saved! skewers religious hypocrisy while still finding humanity in its characters. The film avoids easy answers, offering a nuanced perspective on faith and acceptance. A must-see for fans of teen comedies with substance.

Audience Reactions

Mandy Moore’s performance as Hilary Faye is hilarious and surprisingly complex.: The movie’s sharp satire and witty dialogue resonated with viewers.

The film’s exploration of faith, friendship, and acceptance struck a chord with many.: Viewers appreciated the film’s nuanced portrayal of religious issues.

Overall Consensus: A sharp and witty satire that explores faith, hypocrisy, and the importance of acceptance, with standout performances and a thought-provoking message.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The producers struggled to get the rights to use a piece of the title song from ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. Tim Rice granted the rights after seeing and loving the movie.”
• “The break at Jesus’ neck from when his head falls off the billboard is visible during the opening scene when Mary and Hilary Faye are painting the Jesus billboard.”

🖥️ How to Watch Saved!?

Saved! is available for purchase or rental on various platforms. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred platform for current pricing and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Saved!, you might like these similar films:

• Mean Girls (2004): Both films satirize high school cliques and social dynamics, with ‘Saved!’ focusing on a Christian high school setting.
• Easy A (2010): Explores themes of social ostracism and reputation in a high school setting, with the protagonist challenging societal norms.
• But I’m a Cheerleader (1999): Satirizes societal expectations and the idea of ‘conversion’ in a humorous and thought-provoking manner, similar to ‘Saved!’

🛒 Saved! Related Products

• Saved! (Blu-ray): Relive the snarky satire and heartwarming story of Saved! in high definition. A must-have for fans of the film. Contains behind-the-scenes features and commentary.
• Saved! Movie Poster: High-quality reprint of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating your dorm room, bedroom, or home theater. A great conversation starter.
• Christian Jewels T-Shirt: Show your support for the iconic Christian Jewels band from American Eagle Christian High School. Available in various sizes and colors. Comfortable and stylish.
• “Heaven Help Us” Graphic Tee: A t-shirt featuring the movie’s taglines

🎧 Soundtrack

Saved! features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Beautiful Thing” – performed by All-Star United
• “Dear God” – performed by XTC

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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