Satirical 'Saved!' smacks the system, not the soul

"Saved!" is director Brian Dannelly's feature debut, who also co-wrote the script with writing partner Michael Urban. The film is a bittersweet, satirical look at life and youth in the crazy world of fundamentalist conservative Christianity. For those critics who would like to label this film as Christian camp schtick, know this: "Saved!" may be one of the most subtly understated films of the decade. Sure to cause backlash and already an issue with the religious right, "Saved!" should have been double-billed with Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." Aiming at the institution, not the inspiration, Dannelly and Urban's script is a barbed and, in its best moments, a hilariously scathing look at the difference between religious fervor and spiritual faith.\nLead by an all-star cast of indie-teen cred, Jena Malone plays Mary, a devoutly Christian girl attending American Eagle Christian High School. After learning her boyfriend (Chad Faust) is gay, she decides God has called her to sacrifice her virginity in order to bring him back from his brimstone-bound ways. But when he's sent to Mercy House to be de-gayified (yes, these places exist), and Mary discovers she's pregnant, her faith begins to crumble. Leaving the popularity and favor of the Christian Jewels, lead by Heather Faye (Mandy Moore), who ironically bucks her wholesome image by playing a girl who must believe Jesus Christ himself personally shot sunbeams up her ass, Mary joins a group of outsiders. The kids begin to discover faith amongst themselves and the spurious hypocrisy of religiosity.\nWhile the film isn't flawless, its conclusion being heavy-handed and sugar-spun, it's nonetheless effective, heartwarming and eye-opening. The film dares us to consider a God whose love knows no limits, who created us for our differences and who gave us free will to be exercised by ourselves, not given over to an institution. Most importantly, it asks us to consider a God who wants us to be nothing more than ourselves. \nAfter discovering her pregnancy and walking back home, Mary stops at the wall of a church where a cross has been carved into the stone. Her eyes beginning to tear up and, feeling betrayed by God, for the first time she prays the most honest prayer of her life: "Shit. Fuck. Goddamn." The simple vulnerability of that moment is more beautiful and requires more faith than ten-thousand legions mindlessly chanting their empty praises. "Saved!" asks us to consider a God who asks for nothing more.