To Save a Life

Plot synopsis:
The story opens with Jake Taylor (Randy Wayne) a high school student in the suburbs of San Diego attending the funeral of his ex-best friend Roger (Robert Bailey Jr.). After Roger's mom comes and asks Jake if Roger had said anything to him, she walks away, and Jake remembers that this all started back when they were young boys and best friends. Roger pushed Jake out of the way of a car, saving him but crippling himself forever. During their freshmen year of high school, after Jake had made the winning basket in a basketball game, a freshman cheerleader named Amy invited him to a party that Roger was not let into. In the years later Jake joined a new popular group of friends, Amy became his girlfriend, and he became star of the basketball team. Jake grew further away from Roger, who became more of a loner due to his condition which he was bullied for. Three years later as a high school senior, Roger came in with a gun and began to shoot. Jake, knowing what Roger was going to do, tries to stop him, but Roger tells him that it was too late. Jake watches in horror as Roger shoots himself. Roger dies from his injuries, killing 5 classmates in the process, prompting Jake to wonder if he could have saved him by being a better friend.
After the final basketball game of his senior year, Jake meets Chris, a youth pastor, who had spoken at Roger's funeral. Jake goes to a party that is broken up by the police and, being slow to orient himself, is the last to sneak out of the house. Amy had taken his truck, and he was without a ride home. With no other options left, Jake decides to call the number on the business card Chris gave him. On the ride home, Chris reveals that Roger had come to church the Sunday before he killed himself. Chris expresses guilt that no one had really welcomed him there.
Jake continues to struggle in dealing with Roger's death, attending church several times and drawing concern from Amy because of his withdrawn behavior. He discovers Roger's social networking page and sees that Roger had openly discussed his hopelessness. Amy joins Jake at church the following Sunday, but leaves during the service, feeling judged. Jake confronts the group angrily about their shallow faith and failure to be inclusive and inviting. Chris asks for a solution, and a girl named Andrea suggests that they all have lunch together at school.
For the next few weeks they all meet at lunch everyday. Slowly, Jake becomes shunned by all of his old friends, including Amy. Jake invites Jonny (Sean Michael Afable), a boy who had been mocked by a fake invitation to a party, to join them, which he eventually does. Jonny starts to emerge from the darkness he felt following Roger's death as he, Jake, and Andrea become friends.
After some time, Jonny asks Jake for advice on asking Andrea on a date. They go out for ice cream and Andrea sees scars on Jonny's wrist from cutting. She reveals that she used to be a cutter as well, touching his wrist. Jonny tries to kiss her, dropping his ice cream in her lap and causing her to draw back. Meanwhile, Jake finds out that Amy is pregnant with his baby and that she doesn't want to keep the child. He then discovers that his parents are about to divorce after his father had an affair. The next day at school, Jonny wants help from Jake on what to do with Andrea after he blew his chance. Jake takes his anger out on Jonny by brushing aside his concerns, effectively humiliating him in front of his peers.
Jake and Andrea attempt to patch things up with Jonny, but he ignores their calls and resumes cutting his wrists. Danny, the pastor's son, overhears Jake and Chris talking about Amy's pregnancy and posts drawings all over the school announcing the secret to the school. In the weeks that follow, Jake stops hanging out with his old friends for good and spends more time with his new friends. He gives up his dream about going to college, much to his father's disappointment, and talks to Amy, who has decided to keep their baby. Jake promises her that he will help her raise their child. Amy, having been shunned by all her old friends at school, begins spending time with Andrea and the other girls from the church. Jake continues to call Jonny, but he refuses to pick up his phone.
At the climax of the movie, Jonny bumps into Danny, who takes the cell phone Jonny drops. Minutes later, students are evacuated from the school due to a bomb threat. Danny steps forward and tells the police he thinks it was Jonny. The police search Jonny's locker and find horrific pictures of bombs exploding the school. They ask Jonny for his phone, but he doesn't have it, because Danny still does. The police handcuff Jonny and walk him through the crowd of the entire student body. Jake realizes that Jonny didn't make the threats when he calls Jonny's phone and sees Danny answer it. With Amy distracting the teachers that guard the exit, Jake runs past them to the road and steps in front of the police car. Jonny had opened a bottle of prescription pills preparing to overdose on them, but Jake successfully stops the vehicle just before Jonny ends up like Roger.
Danny is then caught by the police, but cannot bring himself to call his father, calling Chris instead. Chris leaves Danny alone, but Jake offers to stay with him. The pastor takes a leave of absence to spend time with Danny and Chris becomes the new pastor in his place.
Jake's life soon begins to look up. His daughter is placed in open adoption, and Amy gets back together with him. The daughter is adopted by a couple unable to have children and, instead of taking the child and leaving, they want to keep Amy and Jake in the family. His friends and family gather to see him off to Louisville for college, and his dad comes along with him so they can talk. Jonny gives Jake a note to read on the way there stating that he actually did feel like Roger and had considered taking his life, as well. He stated that if Jake had not invited him for lunch that day, he did not know where he would be at the moment. At that point Jake and his father stop the trip to Louisville and head home.

Tags: christian film

Review:
It has flaws but it's also not as bad as the weighted user rating suggests (at the time I wrote this review, it was hovering around a 4.6) However, after viewing it tonight, I would not say this movie is for the public at large (thus the undeserved 1 star ratings its garnered - which I believe is more a rejection of the worldview espoused by the film than an authentic impression of the movie itself).Although I contest the sincerity of the low ratings, I think I know why: To Save A Life is produced by a church and it feels like it.
We also appreciated the humility of Jim Britts writing - self-indicting the Church as a major contributor to the pain its trying to heal was both surprising and refreshing.Also, this may sound lame, but I went in with the preconceived notion that this would be another 'rich white person' saves 'poor disenfranchised minority' movie.
No matter what harsh criticisms will eventually befall To Save A Life (there will be plenty), this movie exists for people who need to know they're not alone.
We seldom go to the movies because most aren't worth watching (in our opinion) but my husband & I went to see "To Save A Life" yesterday (opening day) knowing it was a faith based movie.
This film is a true-to-life movie that shows the reality of what the kids & youth of America go through every day.
If you're deciding whether to watch it, don't be swayed by the overall rating as those who gave the lowest ratings do not belong to the intended audience group (males over 45 have given it the lowest rating - not sure why they felt the need to review it as it wasn't a movie for them?) I teach leadership to 14 and 15 year-old students at my school, and they were so excited when I showed them just the trailer!
I managed to catch an early showing on 10-22-09, and I have to Say this is the BEST (if not only) Christian film to hit theaters since The Passion.Don't let the PG-13 rating scare you off, the rating is appropriate because of the serious issues that are dealt with in this film (divorce, teen pregnancy, drug use, and suicide), but nothing in the film is gratuitous.
The best part is this is not a film FOR Christians, it is a Family film without the cheesy 7th Heaven feel.The laughs are there, and several times in the theater everyone was laughing, the bits of humor were natural and didn't seem scripted or forced, and that made for good pacing in such a serious film.
Another thing is, most Christian films the quality of the movie isn't that great, like they had minimal locations or equipment to work with.
But, with To Save A Life you have a quality produced film, with beautiful Cinematography, great actors and actresses, a good musical soundtrack and just an overall amazing story.
Just as Hallmark Pictures seems to reproduce every blockbuster hit that comes along on a much smaller scale with poorer results, we can expect other churches to release a few clunkers in hopes of attaining the same success that seems to have graced Sherwood Pictures.That was my expectation when I discovered that TO SAVE A LIFE was the creation of Jim Britts, youth pastor of New Song Community Church in Southern California and that over 80% of the cast and crew were locals, some with no experience at all.Let me start my review off by admitting that I was HORRIBLY WRONG.
NEW SONG PICTURES is the NEW Sherwood Pictures of Christian films and they are going to make quite an impact in Hollywood.High school stud / jock, Jake Taylor (Randy Wayne) seems to have it all, popularity, friends and the girl.
But when his popular lifestyle forces him to choose between his best friend and the IN-crowd, the results become deadly.Now with the weight of guilt on his back, parents on the brink of divorce, and a girlfriend expecting a baby, his whole life seems to be falling apart, until he meets the local youth pastor and a few Christian teenagers.
The rousing round of applause at the end was the final seal of approval by all who attended, myself included.TO SAVE A LIFE will spark a movement among young people with the hard-hitting message that every person matters to God. The Gospel message is presented in a bold way, but not in-your-face, like witnessing a testimony unfold, instead of sitting through a preachy sermon.
This movie had very, very strong Christian overtones, to the point where my friends and I were laughing out loud - not because it was funny, or even because the scenes were cheesy, but that one thing after another kept adding up, and it was SO unbelievable and over-the-top.The casting director for this movie needs to find another job.
He (and the actors) make a valiant attempt to imagine what it would feel/be like, but it falls so painfully short.People who think this movie is an accurate representation of that kind of pain have most likely never lived it.
I suspect the same could be said about the issue with the main character's girlfriend at the end of the movie, but I have never personally experienced that, so I can't say for sure.In summary: If you are an average Christian churchgoer, particularly one that belongs to a slightly more modern church (say, one that uses electric guitars in the church band), than almost without a doubt I think you will really enjoy this movie.
The story isn't exactly focused on the bullying issue, eventually starts jumping around topics, all important topics, don't get me wrong, but way too many, until you reach the point where all that is missing is some kind of terminal illness to be complete and have all the tragedies a sixteen year old could ever suffer; and of course, the movie falls short on truly developing all the topics and questions it raises, and eventually find some sort of closure.
It has a lot of references towards God and Christianity, which is OK for those who believe or find it helpful; but for the rest of us, it makes it really hard to relate to the idea that all your problems could be prayed away and all solutions could be found in God. As for the technicals, cinematography is poor, editing is really poor, "drama" sequences are predictable, soundtrack is obvious teenage soundtrack...
Judging by the size of the crowd (mostly teens), it won't be in theaters long,however, so see it immediately or be sure to get it on DVD as soon as it comes out.The first 10 minutes I was skeptical....it was feeling like an amateurish attempt at film making.
The dialog didn't flow at times, usually between Jake and Amy. And a few other flaws I can't mention w/o giving away the too much.But overall this movie will make you want to treat those around you with care and concern, and will motivate you to watch for those among us who get lost.
It could literally change the world if even just a few kids began to reach out like Jake does in this movie.Great message w/o preaching..
I was truly blessed by this picture and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys good movies, good stories, or all Christian teens!This is a film teens can easily bring their friends to, then discuss the deep thoughts evoked by it.
They did have other valid comments.Anyway, as a film and theatre student I thought the main characters, Jake Taylor and Amy Biggs did an excellent job of playing their ages which is usually the one thing that drives me Crazy.
The thing I liked the most was how the poop hit the fan hardcore in Jake's life and it still didn't turn out to be overly Christian cheese.
Even if you don't buy into the whole message *which does have quite a bit about Christianity through out*, the movie tells a realistic picture of what many of our teens are facing every day.
I have worked with teens for the past 20 years and I have rarely seen a movie that not only paints the problems and circumstances of the American teen, but also shows how one person can make a difference in the life of so many others.I took a group of my daughter's friends to see it this past weekend *4 girls total* and the effect of this movie on them was undeniable.
The entire movie is about how being a Christian can save your life and help you make good choices but the decisions the main character makes in the movie are horrible and makes the entire movie contradictory.
It's so far the only Christian movie I've seen that actually felt like a professionally done film with a down to earth premise.
I even consider it to be among my favorite movies in general, though it is very different in tone from what I usually watch.There is one plot point that seems kind of forced, but I'm willing to overlook that, due to this being the first Christian film I've seen that didn't pander to its target demographic or go off of the deep end, and because of my liking for the movie as a whole.If you haven't seen it, I recommend it.
Very good message in this movie; story is strong, and a refreshing change from the typical Christian story we usually hear.
Do expect some interesting views into American high school life and how Christians try to conquer people's souls..
Peer pressure, drinking, teen sex, abortion, suicide, family problems, even kids at school who need a friend--this movie addresses all these things and does a pretty good job in doing so.WARNING: This is a Christian movie with the intention of showing us the positive and life-changing results when we make a commitment to Christ.
Either way, you have all been forewarned.One thing I liked tremendously was that all these things were happening to Jake at the same time, or soon after he had given up his old lifestyle of drinking and being the cool kid at school, and had turned his life over to God. I love the fact that this movie brings out the reality that just because you're a Christian does not exempt you from the trials of life.
Yes, a great movie to show to your church youth group, so long as both parents and teens are aware of the subject matter.
So there are a lot of points in Jake's story and also Chris' that really hit home to me, and I showed this film to my youth group last night.
A group of kids who'd been tackling and screaming each other minutes earlier sat completely silent for the next two hours.The film starts with the main character Jake at the funeral of his childhood friend Roger, who we soon learn committed suicide right in front of Jake after shooting up their school.
A friend of mine told me constantly to watch it, and at first i was hesitant to because i've seen Christian movies before and they all tend to have crappy acting, thin storyline, cliché lines, and just be overall cheesy.
It's not about religion, it's not about coming to Christ, it's not about changing your life or anything like that, but it's about what a Christians true mission in life should be, which is saving lives and impacting the world around you.
Jake didn't just become some Christian and then sit at home reading his bible and then go sit at church every Sunday, he acted to make a difference on the lives of the people around him.
Although I would have liked it even better if the script was non-denominational, I can appreciate that it was (mostly) true to life, and most of the characters, were pretty good actors (Jake, Chris, Johnny, Roger, etc...) I also really liked that it had a couple twists to the story and that it was not entirely attached to just one main theme, such as the idea of suicide.
As a rule I tend to avoid explicitly Christian films like Facing the Giants, Flywheel, Fireproof, and To Save a Life.
Most of the time I am merely reminded why I maintain the self-inflicted rule in the first place, but every now and then I run across a movie like To Save A Life and it makes up for all the rest.
I particularly enjoyed how the movie dealt with the difference between the youth group and the Christians, those performing religious observance and those seeking a genuine relationship with a living God. And even through the youth minister's advice and dialog annoyed me at some points.
I've seen some movies that put the 'GOD' factor out there as the end all beat all way to go, but this movie has done it very tastefully and not preach the all mighty too much.There have been lots of movies out there that take tragedies and deal with the human element and not go near the religious side of things, but this movie could have cut a couple scenes on it.What I did like was how well the story dealt with how many children these days are faced with peer pressures and not know how to deal with them or have others out there to turn to.
Use it to start the appropriate conversations with the teenagers in your life.I honestly believe this is the best Christian movie I have ever seen.
To Save A Life has set the bar remarkably high and challenges other Christian endeavors to sacrifice nothing if they truly believe their message is one that needs to be heard.To Save A Life confronts its audience with the pains and struggles of teenagers who must confront issues like depression, teen sex and pregnancy, peer pressure, self-mutilation, and suicide on a daily basis.
If he'd actually gone postal and killed some bullies along with himself this film MIGHT have been interesting.Jake feels guilty for abandoning his friend and joins a local church youth group and tries to help other shunned kids.Not only is this film predictable and boring but the quality of basic film making makes Coleman Francis look like Orson Wells.SKIP IT!!!
It's a tough thing to enter the film world as a Christian movie.
I am very happy to say that I am wrong, and that I left the theater not just feeling like I had heard a good message, but that I had seen a great movie.
Jake, through the course of the film, struggles with leaving this life behind, and it is important to see where he is coming from to understand the radically different direction he is going (think, Confessions of Saint Augustine).2.
If we can come away from this movie with something to think about in our daily lives and embrace the message of LOVE it will be life changing for us and those around us..
Those questions lead him into a Christian youth group.I watch films like these and it always comes back that the kid's who are the biggest misfits are the gay ones and for them Fundamentalist Christianity has no answers other than change your evil ways and we'll love you.
I know this movie has religious implies, meaning that like in this film part of what helped Jake Taylor was becoming Christian, but even if you are an Atheist and don't believe in Christianity, I think you will still enjoy it because not only is it strong in the message it carries but also it is inspiring, very touching, and simply realistic with the way many teenagers are treated for being "uncool", and simply standing out from the ordinary.
"To Save a Life" shows what can happen if a teenager is bothered so much- suicide for him or her, guilt and sadness for the people still standing in this world.If you have a teen son/daughter, teen friend or know any teen- show them this film.
Although the different lifestyles is very clearly portrayed, and it is clear that the lifestyle Jake was living was wrong (which most people in the world have a decent understanding of what Christians believe is right and wrong - so there isn't any need to overdose - unless right and wrong is the central theme of the movie...
I couldn't believe it when people were standing up and clapping when the credits rolled.This is a movie with plot lines about high school age kids you've heard before, only with messages about religion and faith.
I did not believe these characters or their dialog, they don't act like real people, and these moral messages about faith and Christianity are too propaganda ridden and unconvincing.
Jake feels guilty, he was the boy's best friend until Freshman year, and if he had reached out to him instead of avoiding, maybe he could have saved his life.
As the movie comes to its conclusion, Jake gets another chance, with another boy, and this time does the right thing, and does save his life.Joshua Weigel is good as the youth minister, Chris Vaughn.
In the movie there is Jake's friend Roger who killed himself because he felt like no one was there with him.
And then came "To Save a Life".....Welcome to the new world of Christian-made movies, folks!
I think this is a must see for isolated teens, but it can be seen and enjoyed by anyone who likes movies about real life situations and growing up in today's world..
After the main character Alex's childhood friend commits suicide Alex starts questioning his life decisions, and who he wants to be, whatever I get that, but the way it is done is so cloche that it loses the movies credibility.