Wikipedia

To Save a Life

For the documentary film titled: To Save a Life, seeSteven Pressman.
Not to be confused withHow to Save a LifeorLifesaving.

To Save a Lifeis a 2009 AmericanChristiandrama filmdirected by Brian Baugh and starringRandy Wayne,Deja Kreutzberg,Robert Bailey Jr.,Steven Crowderand Sean Michael Afable. The film was released theatrically in the United States on January 22, 2010, and was written by Jim Britts. The United States rights were acquired bySamuel Goldwyn Filmsfrom New Song Pictures.

To Save a Life
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBrian Baugh
Written byJim Britts
Produced byJim Britts
StarringRandy Wayne
Deja Kreutzberg
Joshua Wiegel
CinematographyC. Clifford Jones
Edited byDan O'Brien
Music byTimothy Michael Wynn
Production
companies
New Song Pictures
Outreach Films
Accelerated Entertainment
Distributed bySamuel Goldwyn Films
Release dates
  • November 5, 2009(2009-11-05)(Outreach Film Festival)
  • January 22, 2010(2010-01-22)(United States)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$500,000[1]
Box office$3.7 million[2]

To Save a Lifewas produced on a budget of about $1 million, but earned nearly double that in its opening weekend. The film was released to 441 theaters on January 22, 2010, and has grossed $3,777,210 domestically. It was received with mixed to generally negative reviews from film critics.

Plot

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Jake Taylor, a high school student living inSan Diego, California,attends the funeral of his ex-best friend Roger Dawson. One day while the two were kids, Roger pushed Jake out of the way of a car, saving him but crippling himself forever. During their freshmen year of high school, a freshman cheerleader named Amy Briggs invites Jake, now part of the school's basketball team, to a party that Roger was not invited to. Soon enough, Jake joins a new popular group of friends, begins dating Amy, and becomes the star of the basketball team. Jake grew further away from Roger, who became more of a loner due to his condition. Three years later in their senior year, Roger enters the school with a gun and began to shoot. Despite Jake's attempt to stop him, Rogershoots himselfand dies from his injuries, 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 Vaughn, a youth pastor, who had spoken at Roger's funeral. Jake goes to a party that is broken up by the police and is the last to sneak out of the house. Since Amy borrowed his truck, 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.

Jake continues to struggle in dealing with Roger's death, frequently attending church and drawing concern from Amy because of his behavior. He discovers Roger's social networking page and sees that he openly discussed his hopelessness. Amy joins Jake at church the following Sunday, but leaves during the service, feeling judged. Jake confronts the group about their shallow faith and failure to be inclusive and inviting, and a girl named Andrea suggests that they all have lunch together at school as a solution.

For the next few weeks, they all meet at lunch every day. Slowly, Jake becomes shunned by all of his old friends, including Amy. Jake invites Jonny, a boy who had been mocked by a fake invitation to a party, to join them, which he accepts. Jake starts to emerge from the darkness he felt following Roger's death as he, Jonny, and Andrea become friends.

After some time, Jonny asks Jake for advice on asking Andrea on a date. The date ends when Jonny accidentally drops his ice cream in her lap, causing her to draw back. Meanwhile, Jake discovers that Amy is pregnant with his baby and doesn't want to keep the child. He then discovers that his parents are about todivorceafter his father had anaffair.The next day at school, Jonny wants help from Jake on what to do with Andrea; Jake ultimately brushes aside his concerns, effectively humiliating him in front of his peers.

When Danny, the pastor's son, overhears Jake and Chris talking about Amy'spregnancy,he posts drawings all over the school announcing the news. 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 and talks to Amy, who has decided to keep the baby. Having been shunned by all her old friends at school, she begins spending time with Andrea and the other girls from the church.

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. After a search of his locker, they ask Jonny for his phone, which he doesn't have because Danny took it. 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, preventing Jonny from adrug overdose.Danny is then caught by the police as 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. His friends and family gather to see him off toLouisvillefor 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 resume the trip to Louisville.

Cast

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  • Randy Wayneas Jacob "Jake" Taylor
  • Deja Kreutzberg as Amanda "Amy" Briggs
  • Joshua Weigel as Christopher "Chris" Vaughn
  • Sean Michael Afable as Jonathan "Jonny" Garcia
  • Robert Bailey Jr.as Roger Dawson
  • Steven Crowderas Douglas "Doug" Moore
  • D. David Morin as Marcus "Mark" Rivers
  • Kim Hidalgo as Andrea Stevens
  • Arjay Smithas Matt McQueen
  • Bubba Lewisas Daniel "Danny" Rivers

Production

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The film is a partnership among three faith-based companies:Samuel Goldwyn Films(which releasedFireproof,Facing the Giants,andAmazing Grace), Outreach Films, and New Song Pictures.[3]Writer and producer Jim Britts was inspired to make the movie after observing a simple problem: many teenagers are hurting.[4]Britts, a Christian youth pastor in Southern California, and his wife, a schoolteacher, began taking the many stories of teens' struggles and molding them into a film. "Every day my wife and I talk to teens who are in some kind of pain," Britts said. "I wanted to make a film that would bring hope to hurting and lonely students."[5]

Director Brian Baugh was surprised at the grittiness of the script, in stark contrast to many other Christian films. The movie includes scenes of teen drinking,marijuanasmoking, cutting (inflicting self-injury), moderate profanity, and implications of sex.[4]Baugh none the less decided to keep these elements in to make the film a more realistic depiction of typical teens. ActorRandy Wayne,the star of the film, said he originally rejected the idea of starring because it was being made with a low budget, but he eventually accepted the offer and offered to do it for free.[6]The film has been marketed in a grassroots fashion, a tactic that proved successful for low-budget Christian films likeFireproof.[7]

Over 80% of the cast and crew forTo Save a Lifeconsisted ofOceansideandNorth Countylocals. Several Oceanside locations, includingOceanside High School,Calvin Christian High School,MiraCosta College,New Song Community Church, Eternal Hills Memorial Park, Harbor, Guajome Park Academy, and Beach are shown in the film.[8]

Soundtrack

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To Save A Life Official Movie Soundtrack
Soundtrack albumby
Various
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2010
GenreChristian
LabelTwenty Ten Music
New Song Pictures
TuneCore

The soundtrack forTo Save a Lifehas been released as a digital download on the official website of the film and iTunes.[9]The film's original score was composed byTimothy Michael Wynnand produced byChristopher Lennertz.

Track listing
  1. "Boom" (Da Enforcerz)
  2. "500,000 Boomin’ Watts" (Flynn Adam)
  3. "Bounce" (J-Rus)
  4. "Dare you to move" (Switchfoot)
  5. "Fall Back" (Bobby Taylor)
  6. "Outsider" (The Daylights)
  7. "Golden Thread" (Joy Williams)
  8. "Sunset Cliffs" (Paul Wright)
  9. "Go Together" (Jillian Edwards)
  10. "Rollercoaster" (Kendall Payne)
  11. "Hero (Red Pill Mix)" (Superchick)
  12. "Future Plans" (Timothy Michael Wynn)

Release

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Critical reception

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To Save a Lifereceived mixed to generally negative reception from film critics.Rotten Tomatoesgave it a 39% rating based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 4.90/10.[10]Metacriticcurrently has its score listed as 19%.[11]

Marjorie Baumgarten of theAustin Chroniclegave the film a negative review, saying, "To Save a Lifeis a well-meaning but ineptly made message movie... "[12]Melissa Anderson ofThe Village Voicesaid, "For all its initial attempts to soften its religiosity...To Save a Lifeis about as subtle as this closing credit: 'The producers would like to thank: GOD.' "[13]Andy Webster ofThe New York Timessaid, "The film would be a mere nuisance if not for its shameless exploitation of school shootings to advance its agenda."[14]

Other reviewers were more supportive of the film. Gary Goldstein ofThe Los Angeles Timessaid, "The teen drama 'To Save a Life,' nicely directed by Brian Baugh from a script by Jim Britts, manages to be appealing, poignant and inspiring in ways that are gentle and quite real."[15]Dan Bennett of theNorth County Timesgave the film 3 of out 4 stars, saying, "Not pushy or intent on establishing an absolute doctrine, the film does well by throwing ideas out there, and letting the realistic characters define those."[16]Bob Fischbach of theOmaha World-Heraldsaid, "[To Save a Life's] messages are good ones for kids to hear. The characters' appeal and a sprinkling of humor should help draw a young audience. "[17]Hannah Goodwyn of CBN stated: "To Save a Life sends a good message to teens about faith, life, and loving others. It’s worth the ticket price for that, if nothing else."[18]Movieguide.org comments: "Every aspect of TO SAVE A LIFE is well made. The editing is flawless, cutting imaginatively back and forth into flashbacks. The dialogue is constantly moving the story forward. This movie addresses some tough topics, including teenage suicide, drinking, sex, and drug use. This realistic background makes the story of repentance and forgiveness much more powerful..."[19]

Box office

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To Save a Lifehad a strong debut in its first weekend,[20]amassing a total of $1,581,517, despite playing in only 441 theaters.[21]Theaters in markets such asBurleson, Texas,Oceanside, California,Fort Lauderdale, Florida,andEvans, Georgiawere the film's top grossing markets. The film was #3 onFandango's most requested tickets going into the weekend.[22]The film fell 53.6% in its second weekend to $733,457, and −63.2% to $269,684 in its third, accumulating $3,777,210 to date.[23]

Home media

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To Save a Lifewas released onDVDandBlu-rayon August 3, 2010. The DVD features an in-depth behind-the-scenes of the making of the film,deleted scenes,a gag reel, andmusic videos.

References

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  1. ^Fritz, Ben (January 24, 2010)."First look: 'Extraordinary Measures' has less than ordinary start, 'Avatar' not slowing".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2011.RetrievedApril 21,2012.
  2. ^"To Save a Life (2010) - Box Office Mojo".boxofficemojo.Archivedfrom the original on 2018-06-08.Retrieved2019-08-05.
  3. ^Kilday, Gregg (October 27, 2009)."Goldwyn Films acquires 'To Save a Life'".The Hollywood Reporter.Archived fromthe originalon December 30, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 3,2010.
  4. ^abYonke, David (January 16, 2010)."Christian movie offers hope for hurting teens".The Blade.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 22,2010.
  5. ^Patrick, Nikki (January 9, 2010)."'To Save a Life'".The Morning Sun.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 22,2010.
  6. ^Hinton, Carla (January 16, 2010)."Film's 'heart' attracts actor Randy Wayne from Oklahoma".The Oklahoman.RetrievedJanuary 22,2010.
  7. ^Buss, Dale (January 21, 2009)."What Christians Watch".The Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on July 17, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 22,2010.
  8. ^Canete, Kimi (January 29, 2010)."Hollywood movie 'To Save a Life' filmed in North County".San Diego Entertainer Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on January 31, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 28,2010.
  9. ^"Official Soundtrack For The Film 'To Save Live' Availabe (sic) As A Digital Download".BREATHEcast.January 27, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 29,2010.
  10. ^"To Save a Life (2010)".Rotten Tomatoes.Archivedfrom the original on June 14, 2014.RetrievedAugust 1,2010.
  11. ^"To Save a Life: Samuel Goldwyn Films".Metacritic.RetrievedJanuary 26,2010.
  12. ^Baumgarten, Marjorie (January 22, 2010)."To Save a Life".Austin Chronicle.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 23,2010.
  13. ^Anderson, Melissa (January 19, 2010)."To Save a LifeWants To Rescue Kids from the Satanic Messages ofGossip Girl".The Village Voice.RetrievedJanuary 21,2010.
  14. ^Webster, Andy (January 22, 2010)."An Athlete in Search of Redemption".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 26,2010.
  15. ^Goldstein, Gary (January 22, 2010)."Reviews: Parts are better than the whole of 'Drool'".The Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 26,2010.
  16. ^Bennett, Dan (January 20, 2010)."MOVIE REVIEW: 'Save A Life' stresses message through strong storytelling".North County Times.Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 21,2010.
  17. ^Fischbach, Bob (January 22, 2010)."'To Save A Life:' Christian film's messages valuable ".Omaha World-Herald.Archived fromthe originalon September 7, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 22,2010.
  18. ^"To Save a Life: Christian Movie Review".cbn.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-09-18.Retrieved2014-03-14.
  19. ^"TO SAVE A LIFE | Movieguide | Movie Reviews for Christians".August 4, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2023.RetrievedAugust 5,2019.
  20. ^Knegt, Peter (January 24, 2010)."Box Office: Christian" Life "Debuts Strong;" Heart "Expands Well".indieWire.RetrievedJanuary 24,2010.
  21. ^"Weekend Box Office Results".Box Office Mojo.January 22–24, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on January 27, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 26,2010.
  22. ^Finke, Nikki (January 25, 2010)."'To Save A Life' Slipped Through Cracks ".Deadline Hollywood Daily.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 26,2010.
  23. ^"To Save a Life".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on April 1, 2010.RetrievedApril 10,2010.
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