Last week I took the kids to see “To Save a Life.” If you’re not familiar with this, it was written by a Youth Pastor. The story is about a teen guy… he’s the star of the basketball team and extremely popular… the pretty cheerleader is his girlfriend, he’s got a basketball scholarship to the college of his dreams, and seems to have everything going for him.
Once we get to know Jake, we find that he has plenty of issues to deal with. His parents are always fighting, he’s trying to please his dad which is an almost impossible task… and then things go from bad to worse…
His best friend (back when they were young) brings a gun to school and shoots himself in front of Jake. At first Jake seems to handle it alright… then it finally hits him and his world is turned upside down!
Jake realizes there has to be more… and when a Youth Pastor reaches out to him… things start to change in his life and in his heart. When he attempts to make a difference at school, he finds out who his true friends really are… and his new-found faith is shaken to the core.
I really feel that anyone who has teenagers should watch this movie with them. It deals with sex, drugs, drinking, cutting, suicide and more… which sadly are ALL things our kids have been and/or will be faced with on a regular basis.
Parents can read the PluggedIn review to make sure they are comfortable with the subject matter, and that their kids are at an age they should watch.
My own kids are 12 and 14 and handled it very well. We went opening night of the film, and when we bought our tickets they said it was almost sold out. Once we got inside we realized the majority of the crowd was a youth group from one of the largest churches in town.
It was fun to have such a full theater (there were no empty seats)… especially because the kids were excited for the changes Jake makes in his life. It was awesome to hear them cheer when he first gave the Pastor a call… walked into a church for the very first time… oh, the best parts I can’t tell you about or else it will give too much away.
The large amount of tweens/teens watching the movie with us had a downside too. When there was an ‘intimate’ scene… the “ooooh” and the giggling that broke out was a bit much and beyond annoying! (I couldn’t help but chuckle)
Whether you’re the popular kid who may live with regret about the ‘what if’s’ and are too afraid to do the ‘right thing’ for fear of losing your coveted social status … or you are the one that is teased (or worse yet… ignored)… this movie is for you.
“To Save a Life” gets my endorsement as a parent… but ‘my’ opinion usually isn’t the one that counts. Both my kids have asked to see it again… this is a big deal and a huge endorsement… my son usually only wants to see a movie again if it is pushing the limits of appropriateness.
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18
We all laughed, cried, and found hope in the message… Oh, and for those who have a bad taste in their mouth when they think of ‘Christian’ movies… I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of “To Save a Life.” The acting was pretty decent, and at least a little of the ‘cheese factor’ was absent.
If you’ve seen the movie… tell me your thoughts…
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve heard a lot about this one. I’d forgotten about it, though, because I heard about it before it came out. I’ll have to check it out – maybe grab a group to go see it.
Thank you for your recommendation… and your son’s. :>)
-Marshall Jones Jr.
This came to town for a week, but I didn’t get to see it. We announced it to the congregation. I know some went to see it. Glad to hear it is making an impact- I pray it continues to go further and further. Thanks Bridget.
Thanks, Bridget. I think I’ll take my son.
Sounds like a great movie. I’d like to see it.
I haven’t seen it but it sounds like a pretty amazing story. It’s great that it seems to be reaching so many people.
Wonderful movie! My husband and I went to see it on a date, not really knowing what it was. We liked it so much that we sent our three teenagers back the very next day. And they each took a friend. All six of the children had heard of it and were anxious to see it. My sixteen year old son came home saying, “Mom! Every teenager needs to see that movie!” I couldn’t agree with him more.
I’m excited to see the number of quality Christian films that have come out in the past few years. Okay, some of them were not such high quality, but they’re getting better.
Thanks for the post!