To Save a Life: Movie Review

"What's the point of all this if you're not going to let this change you?"

That's the point of To Save a Life, summarized in one question from the main character. The question is posed to a youth group, many deep in the throes of blatant hypocrisy. A new Christian, his girlfriend had just walked out after feeling judged by the congregation of teens who had given her scathing looks at her presence there.

The question is a fantastic one and one that Jake, the main character, tests out. The death of a childhood friend that might have been prevented by a kindness from him has turned his world upside down and ends up leading him to Christ.

"Jake Taylor should be teaching us what it means to follow God."

Jake seeks God's plan for his life wholehertedly. As he tells the youth pastor, he only wants to do it if it's worth it. If it's not worth it, there's no point in saying he's a Christian and living like he's not.

When he realizes it's worth it, his life changes.

To Save A Life is a great movie that speaks to us whether Christian or not. It reminds us that one person can make a difference, that one person can save a life. But as Christians, a deeper message hits home- that we are the salt and the light, but we're too afraid to step out and let Christ change us. We wallow in the darkness and hide our light.

The purpose of being a Christian isn't to add another label to our cache. It's not to add us to the Bible-thumping social group. The point is to follow Christ, to step out in faith where He tells you. This message is supposed to change your life, not merely make you feel good.

"Why didn't God prevent it? I think he often asks us the same question."

In closing, I really enjoyed to save a life. It's blatantly Christian, not sugarcoating or hiding it, but it appeals to a wide audience through it's message of reaching out to those who feel unloved. There are a very few curse words, inserted for the purpose of making the plotline real. 

In the Plugged In article linked to at the end of this post, Jim Briggs says that "There are probably no other screenwriters that pray over every curse word [they write], as I did."

I caution parents of younger children in the viewing of this movie for that reason, as for bits of sexuality.

But overall, for teenagers and adults, I think this is a fabulous movie that reminds us why we became Christians in the first place. And it pushes us, urging us not to settle, but to pursue our Yahweh no matter how much it costs.

To see Plugged In's review of To Save A Life, check it out here. There are a few spoilers, but it's very helpful.

Have a blessed day!