TO SAVE A LIFE - TO SAVE A LIF [DVD] [2009]

Really good movie that presents Christian values without being weird about it. Appealing to unbelievers and believers alike of most ages. Still, the PG-13 rating is appropriate.

I have to start off by saying that the production quality of this film is top notch. It reviles most independent movies that Hollywood puts out every year. The acting is fine, The directing is also well done. The script is well thought out and packs a lot of issues into a couple of hours.At first I thought they tried to do too much in too little time. Then I started to think about the teens in my student ministry. I thought about their lives and the hectic pace that this technology driven society forces them to lead. Then I realized that many students today are bombarded by these issues all at once. We like to think that our students are dealing with one problem at a time in a neat little way when truthfully many of them feel like they are being closed in from all sides with major conflict and turmoil all at once. I think this movies speaks to those teens.I have heard concern that the gospel message isn't made crystal clear in the movie. I would agree with that. However, I am not sold on the idea that this film is for the lost. I think that seeking kids can find hope in this film but I came away from it seeing it as a battle cry to Christian teens. I think the moral of the movie is much more about removing ourselves from lukewarm Christianity and actually DOING something than it is about seeking salvation. Jake Taylor's redemption is vital to the story but what he does with that redemption is where the real value lies.Some people will be offended by the suggestive scenes of drinking and sex. Some will be offended by the mild language. I think the producers went right where they needed to go. We got the idea of the life of the teens but I never felt like my mind was taken to places where it didn't need to be. It showed real life. I know because when I was in high school I was immersed in scenes just like those in the movie. I think to ignore that culture is to bury our heads in the Christian bubble of sand.I believe that this film's legacy will be twofold. I think first, it will be known as a movie that inspires students to find hope for themselves as well as point their friends to that hope. I also believe that a line in the sand has been drawn as far as future faith based movies go. I think Newsong pictures has laid down the gauntlet and has proven to us that just because we deem a movie "Christian" it does not have to be cheesy. We do not have to put up with sub par acting and production. If you have read my blog at all you know I love the people of Sherwood films. Facing the Giants quite literally was used by God to change my life. I also believe that without their success, To Save A Life may not have been made. They opened doors that were previously closed. Still, I always felt that I had to apologize a bit for the quality of those films. I think To Save A Life will leave us expecting more of a movie. I think in the end that could be very good for Christian media.So, I wholeheartedly endorse this film. Show it to students and parents. I also think the church as a whole can learn from it's message of being authentic. The one area where I am struggling is how to capitalize on the message of the film to see real change in our group. I am praying that God will lead us in that knowledge. The film has opened up avenues for discussion,now the challenge is making it more than just a great film we all saw together.

Great movie

This was one of my 15-year old daughter Elizabeth's favorite movies. (In fact, she often wore her To Save A Life promo shirt to school.) I read the book first, then saw the movie with Elizabeth (she had already seen the movie with our youth group the week before and it was the last movie we saw together as father and daughter; she died of unknown causes about a week later). To Save A Life is a powerful, gritty, true to life Christian film that deals with a lot of issues that plague our families and youth today: the cult of popularity, bullying, family troubles & divorce, depression, suicide, underage drinking, drugs, sex, teen pregnancy, and self abuse or cutting, etc. All this is seen through the eyes of Jake Taylor - high school senior, star athlete, popular man on campus, with a full-ride basketball scholarship to Louisville, and of course, the hottest girl in high school.After Jake's often ignored childhood friend Roger commits suicide in the hallway of their school, he begins to re-evaluate how he had treated his friend in recent years. As he starts to wrestle with his own sense of right and wrong and his responsibility to others, he meets Chris, a youth pastor who intrigues him despite his own lack of interest in religion. As Jake's relationships with his parents and girlfriend Amy deteriorate, Chris becomes someone he can talk to, and his weekly youth group becomes a safe place where he can hang out and just be himself without the fear of being judged. With Chris' help, Jake sets out on a journey of personal transformation and growth that will reveal God's amazing unconditional love and Jake's power to make a difference in the lives of others one person at a time beginning with Johnny, another outcast.This movie is so powerful I wish I could show it to every high school and junior high school in our area. The issues raised are often ignored in our society and fester under the surface in individual lives. Often we find out about them after the fact. They need to be addressed before then. Parents and youth need to know that the ONLY answer to life's problems is Jesus Christ, and that as follwers of our Lord we can have a positive ripple effect in the lives of others as we share the good news of the gospel. Whether you're a Christian or not, this is one movie that parents and their teenagers have got to see!Check out my book reviews of To Save A Life and Jake's Choice, the sequel, on Amazon.com!

If you are the type of person (or family) who believe in isolating yourself (or your family) from the world around you, including the types of temptations, struggles, doubts, conflicts, situations, etc. that people in the church and in the world face every day, then I highly recommend that you NOT buy this film. This film addresses all of these things, touching on a broad spectrum of important topics like popularity, friendships, relationships, family and faith. Yes, watching this film will show the dark side of life and their possible consequences, including egocentricity (pride and elitism), falling into peer-pressure (alcohol and drug abuse), deception (deceiving oneself and others with lies), fear (of being found out for what they've done and who they are), brokenness (broken families, wrong priorities, sexual immorality), unrealistic demands / expectations, opposition (against Christianity, Christian values, et al.), guilt, shame, hopelessness, loneliness and suicide, etc. This film initially presents these things from the perspective of those who are in the world. However, this film does not leave viewers to drown in the sin, filth and stench of these things. There is hope.There is a living hope. There is forgiveness, unconditional love, new life and a family in Christ that is real and freely available to a world dying in sin. This film is honest. Christians are by no means perfect; but being a new creation in Christ and being refined and grown by God through His Word, there is a change that happens in them (by the Holy Spirit). There is a mysterious, supernatural change that happens from the inside-out.In this film, that transition is evident in the life, views (beliefs) and actions of the main character (Jake), which then spreads to others (both in the church and outside of it). This film does not shy away from the reality that people will continually fight against God and Christian believers, nor does it shy away from the work of God in the lives of unbelievers and believers alike. This film does not overlook the darker issues of life, but attempts to address them with honest answers, often emphasising that no matter where people are in their life and no matter what they have done, God is there, He loves them, He is patient, He provides forgiveness that can cover any and every sin, and God wants to bring everyone into His family in Christ (no matter how bad or undeserving they may judge themselves to be, Christ's sacrifice can cover it and is enough to redeem them). However, like in real life, people do not always want this gift of forgiveness and life. Sometimes believers do not always take advantage of opportunities to share this good news with others, and they mess up. Sometimes believers (and unbelievers posing as believers) make things worse (by what they say or do).While watching this movie, there are times when you may want to cringe and say, "Why did you say / do that?!" or "Why did you not say / do anything?!" Yet, undoubtedly, most viewers have been in a similar situation and have done similar things (which we regret and may even haunt us). This film reminds Christian believers that in spite of our own shortcomings, God's grace is sufficient. God loves us, in Christ there is true forgiveness (because He laid down His life for us and overcame death for us), and in spite of everything God will provide more opportunities in the future to make a difference in someone's life--- perhaps even "to save a life." Do not lose hope. Spend time with God, grow in His Word and love, build each other up in the family of Christ, do not be afraid to dialogue with your pastor if you need help to sort things out (but remember that he is not God), and share God's love, forgiveness and Gospel with the world by your words and actions. And another thing: Do not be surprised if the world rejects you, despises you, persecutes you, or attempts to peer pressure / force you to join them in their unbelief / rejection of God (with arguments, threats, or violence). Just as the world did these things to Christ, the world will most certainly do the same to Christian believers. Be not afraid; you are not alone. God is with you and will give you the strength, words, etc. that you need to persevere--- even in the face of all these things (or death). You may lose everything the world has to offer you--- even those you love may abandon you--- but in Christ you will have gained everything that matters, even eternal life.That is more or less what I took out of this film. (Granted, my mind rabbit trailed to various Scripture passages while watching this film.) Great for discussion and giving believers (especially youth) something to pray about and apply to their life (as God refines, grows and enables them in Christ).

Ceci est un film excellent, qui touche à beaucoup de thèmes qui touchent les ados et jeunes ados, mais non pas seulement. Moi, j'ai 41 ans et le film m'a beaucoup touché. C'est un film qui fait refléchir, sur le sens de la vie, les priorités (en tant qu'ados ou adultes), le courage d'être vrai, le courage d'oser faire le bien contre toute attente des copains et copines et la famille. C'est un film plein d'espoir aussi, mais également du réalisme. C'est également un film qui relève le thème de la foi, sans frapper sur la tête ni en faire quelque chose de lourde.Vraiment magnifique.

This is a beautiful true story about a young man trying hard to do the right thing after he failed the first time. Great movie for the whole family. It deals with a sensitive topic in a most positive manner.

Ceci est un film excellent, qui touche à beaucoup de thèmes qui touchent les ados et jeunes ados, mais non pas seulement. Moi, j'ai 41 ans et le film m'a beaucoup touché. C'est un film qui fait refléchir, sur le sens de la vie, les priorités (en tant qu'ados ou adultes), le courage d'être vrai, le courage d'oser faire le bien contre toute attente des copains et copines et la famille. C'est un film plein d'espoir aussi, mais également du réalisme. C'est également un film qui relève le thème de la foi, sans frapper sur la tête ni en faire quelque chose de lourde.Franchement, c'est excellent!

This film is a must to see especially if you have teenage children; very thought provoking. The storyline is believable and sends a good moral for young people and adults alike. Make sure your DVD is the correct region though, totally forgot and had to watch it on my laptap...