Movie Suggestion: To Save a Life

Title: To Save a Life

DVD Released: August 3, 2010

Rating: PG13

Details: To Save a Life is a Christian film about a boy, Jake Taylor, who chose popularity and fame over a long-time friendship. This choice alienates his former friend who ends up committing suicide.This tragic event sparks a change in Jake that makes him question the purpose of life and the acts of friendship to the point that he encounters the chance to redeem himself by saving the life of another.

While it is a Christian film, it is not "safe" in terms of secular teenage actions: premarital sex, drinking, drugs, suicide, cutting, and mild language (nothing extreme) are briefly present but handled in a creative manner. By presenting these themes, this film showcases the very gritty, dirty realization of the life of being a young adult in today's world. Moreover, the film also touches upon divorce, adultery, abortion, adoption, and Christian "stereotypes" about today's churches.

As I said above, all of these themes are presented in a skillful, creative manner without getting too graphic and straying away from being a Christian film for both parents, teenagers, and young adults. It is because of these themes that every parent, teenager, and young adult should see this film. In the end, the filmmakers brilliantly wove these current taboos of today's culture into a film that strives to acknowledge the purpose of God's love and guidance even through the rough times of life. It brings me hope that there could actually be a new improvement to the way Christian films are made - I cannot express how much I want Christian films to succeed, but they must also have a great story (this movie succeeds only in second to the Christian movie Fireproof).

I really enjoyed this film.The story was moving, and I actually cared about the characters (which is rare for me to do for some Christian movies). Furthermore, I believe those who choose to watch the film will also care about the characters too! Below is a trailer for the film (beware of the brief minor language I mentioned).