Plot:
The main character (Jake) is a high school basketball star with a cheerleader girl friend (Amy). Jake starts questioning the meaning of life when his childhood friend (Roger) commits suicide. Roger was a misfit and slightly disabled. Jake feels guilt for abandoning Roger during their freshman year, when Jake started becoming more popular and going out with Amy.
Issues Raised:
The movie delves into a number of serious topics, as follows:
Teenaged suicide and “cutting” (self-mutilation)
Drug and alcohol use by teens (including extended wild party scenes)
Teenaged sex, pregnancy, abortion and adoption
Parental infidelity and divorce
Hypocritical Christians (including the senior pastor’s son)
Spiritual Elements:
Jake is assisted in his journey by a very understanding youth pastor (Chris). The gospel is implied but not explicitly presented. We see Jake attending church and youth group, being baptized, having serious discussions with Chris, and praying. We see the youth group learning to love each other and reach out to “misfits.”
Elements of Potential Concern to Parents:
Exposure to serious, “older” teen issues listed above
Mild sex scene between Jake and Amy (Jake removes his shirt)
Immodest clothing worn by high school girls
Very mild profanity
Overall Recommendation:
“To Save a Life” does a good job showing Christianity in action. It also shows the consequences of sin, without being judgmental or preachy. I recommend this movie for older teens (15+). Some families may not be comfortable exposing their younger teens to the darker thematic elements and mild sex scene.
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