“I don’t really think she made it up, but I can understand why a girl would.”
What’s it all about? Mary (Jena Malone) believes God wants her to save her gay boyfriend by sleeping with him. Her fervently-Christian best friend Hilary-Faye (Mandy Moore) is not impressed — to say it lightly.
When my sister came home from HMV a couple years ago with a big smile on her face and “Saved!” in her hands, I was dubious. A comedy about a bunch of Christian students? I didn’t ask very much about it, but I sat down on the couch nonetheless as my sister enthusiastically turned on the television. I am glad I did. “Saved!” quickly charmed its way into my all-time comedy top-five. The amount of wit and personality in this movie is as ridiculous as its premise.
The lion’s share of the film’s success can be attributed to the cast. As the film’s protagonist, Mary, Indie-Queen Jena Malone gives the most disarmingly delightful (and most accessible) performance of her prolonged career as independent cinema’s It-Girl. As the male lead, Patrick Fugit plays his character much like John Cusack would have. They are handsome and charming and act completely like (what I believe to be) themselves. I am not complaining, however. I could watch Patrick playing Patrick and John playing John any day.
The cherry on the top of this casting sundae is Mandy Moore. Yes, I know — You might have seen “A Walk To Remember”, “How To Deal” or “Chasing Liberty” and you’re now looking at me with that look on your face. Hell, you could continue your argument with “Because I Said So” or “License To Wed”. I would just nod and agree that Ms. Moore has been in a lot — a lot — of really awful romance films. But “Saved!” isn’t one of them. As the de-facto villain Hilary-Faye, Moore is a knockout. She is able to portray Hilary-Faye’s religious/emotional fervor without losing the sympathies of an audience that should really be lined up against her. Even after everything she does to Mary and her friends, at the end of the movie, you actually like her and you’re not all that conflicted about that.
I would just like to say that I want to quote almost every line of “Saved!” — but I will leave you to enjoy the lines first-hand.
The soundtrack of “Saved!” is near-flawless in its ironic placement of Christian and Christmas songs against the satiric script. There are two highlights that you’ll keep with you long after you’ve watched the film. The first is the use of God Only Knows by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher during the credits. Then on you’ll think of Mary and her “immaculate conception” every time this song is on the radio. The second highlight of the soundtrack is In the Sun by Joseph Arthur, which is featured in a heart-breaking montage of the cast after Mary’s secret is outed.
Favourite Scene: The shopping mall during Christmas. Hilary-Faye is at her craziest, Cassandra is at her most bad-ass, and Patrick is at his most charming.
Notes: Directed by Brian Dannelly; Produced by Michael Ohoven, Sandy Stern, Michael Stipe, William Vince; Written by Brian Dannelly, Michael Urban; Starring Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Patrick Fugit, Eva Amurri, Heather Matarazzo, Chad Faust, Elizabeth Thai, Martin Donovan, Mary-Louise Parker; Music by Christophe Beck; Cinematography by Bobby Bukowski; Editing by Pamela Martin.
Sasha James, otherwise known as The Final Girl Project, is a twenty-something Torontonian with an unhealthy amount of her week reserved for film and television. She also moonlights as The Doctor's companion on Saturdays. 
Aw this is one of my favorite movies ever! It’s so funny and charming and I love every character. Roland and Cassandra are one of my favorite onscreen couples. And god, you’re so right about its quotability. Addictive.
“Wanna run with the ultimate rebel? The ultimate CEO? Who’s down with the G-O-D?”
Oh, Pastor Skip. <3
@Alex I completely forgot about Roland and Cassandra in my review! Favourite quote: “I crashed my van into Jesus! Okay? I have a pimple the size of Jupiter!”
Sasha, funny you should give so much attention to the music selections in the film!
I am writing a piece on Christian music, inspired by this film.
I have to say, I really hated Moore’s character – although I think she convinced me. Perhaps that’s how you’re supposed to feel in watching her.
Eva Amurri effortlessly plays Cassandra. I thought her role was the most seamlessly played.
One more bit – it’s really interesting that Michael Stipe produced this film… He’s the frontman of REM.
Did you know, in 2008 they made Saved! into a musical.
Oh my.
@Kim A musical? Seriously? I did not expect that. And I can’t help loving Mandy Moore in this movie. She’s so wonderfully evil and awkward and vicious.