There are movies that I will always watch when they come on TV, no matter how many times I’ve seen it or even if I own it on DVD. They’re always very classy, high-brow films, though, ones that any BA in Film Studies holder would be proud to view…you know, like Bring It On, While You Were Sleeping,  Tommy Boy, and tonight’s wonder: Saved! Seriously, I LOVE this movie. It’s hilarious, it’s self depricating, and, shockingly, still respectful of Christianity.

No, I’m serious! Yes, it pokes fun at the Christian Pop Culture (of which I was a once a proud member), of the culture that tends to breed judgementalism, homophobia, and self righteousness. The “popular Christian” leader is, quite frankly, a bitch. BUT, the pastor’s son is the first one to befriend Mary when she becomes pregnant. Mary never denounces her faith; she questions it, and denounces the blindly-following groupie mentality. And as horribly as Hilary Faye is, she is redeemed at the end. She shows remorse…nearly too late, of course, but that’s Cinematic, Baby!

Plus, the movie is freaking hilarious! Where else can you get quotes like this?

“I mean, you’re not born a gay, you’re born again!”

“Most of the boys in school look like NASA employees.”

“There are only two reasons Christian girls come down to the Planned Parenthood.”   “She’s planting a pipe bomb?!”  “OK, two reasons”

 Gold. Absolute gold.

So, yeah, the movie cracks me up, but it also demonstrates true friendship, questioning convention, forvigeness, and acceptance. The Christian outcasts (gays, teenage mothers, etc…), are the ones who change the school, and accept everyone for who they are. And, irreverant or not, those are great lessons to learn.