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''To Save a Life'' received mixed to generally negative reception from film critics. [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gave it a 35% rating based on 17 reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/to_save_a_life/ |title=To Save a Life (2010) |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 2010}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] currently has its score listed as 19%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/tosavealife?q=to%20save%20a%20life |title=To Save a Life: Samuel Goldwyn Films |work=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=January 26, 2010}}</ref> Marjorie Baumgarten of the ''[[Austin Chronicle]]'' gave the film a negative review, saying, "''To Save a Life'' is a well-meaning but ineptly made message movie..."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/Film?Film=oid:939822 |title=To Save a Life |last=Baumgarten |first=Marjorie |date=January 22, 2010 |work=[[Austin Chronicle]] |accessdate=January 23, 2010}}</ref> Melissa Anderson of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' said, "For all its initial attempts to soften its religiosity... ''To Save a Life'' is about as subtle as this closing credit: 'The producers would like to thank: GOD.'"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-01-19/film/to-save-a-life-wants-to-rescue-kids-from-the-satanic-messages-of-gossip-girl/ |title=''To Save a Life'' Wants To Rescue Kids from the Satanic Messages of ''Gossip Girl'' |last=Anderson |first=Melissa |date=January 19, 2010 |work=[[The Village Voice]] |accessdate=January 21, 2010}}</ref> Andy Webster of ''The New York Times'' said, "The film would be a mere nuisance if not for its shameless exploitation of school shootings to advance its agenda."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/movies/22tosave.html?ref=movies |title=An Athlete in Search of Redemption |last=Webster |first=Andy |date=January 22, 2010 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=January 26, 2010}}</ref>
''To Save a Life'' received mixed to generally negative reception from film critics. [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gave it a 35% rating based on 17 reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/to_save_a_life/ |title=To Save a Life (2010) |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 2010}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] currently has its score listed as 19%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/tosavealife?q=to%20save%20a%20life |title=To Save a Life: Samuel Goldwyn Films |work=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=January 26, 2010}}</ref> Marjorie Baumgarten of the ''[[Austin Chronicle]]'' gave the film a negative review, saying, "''To Save a Life'' is a well-meaning but ineptly made message movie..."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/Film?Film=oid:939822 |title=To Save a Life |last=Baumgarten |first=Marjorie |date=January 22, 2010 |work=[[Austin Chronicle]] |accessdate=January 23, 2010}}</ref> Melissa Anderson of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' said, "For all its initial attempts to soften its religiosity... ''To Save a Life'' is about as subtle as this closing credit: 'The producers would like to thank: GOD.'"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-01-19/film/to-save-a-life-wants-to-rescue-kids-from-the-satanic-messages-of-gossip-girl/ |title=''To Save a Life'' Wants To Rescue Kids from the Satanic Messages of ''Gossip Girl'' |last=Anderson |first=Melissa |date=January 19, 2010 |work=[[The Village Voice]] |accessdate=January 21, 2010}}</ref> Andy Webster of ''The New York Times'' said, "The film would be a mere nuisance if not for its shameless exploitation of school shootings to advance its agenda."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/movies/22tosave.html?ref=movies |title=An Athlete in Search of Redemption |last=Webster |first=Andy |date=January 22, 2010 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=January 26, 2010}}</ref>


Other reviewers were more supportive of the film. Gary Goldstein of ''The Los Angeles Times'' said, "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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-capsules22-2010jan22,0,7010167.story |title=Reviews: Parts are better than the whole of 'Drool' |last=Goldstein |first=Gary |date=January 22, 2010 |work=The Los Angeles Times |accessdate=January 26, 2010}}</ref> Dan Bennett of the ''[[North County Times]]'' gave 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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nctimes.com/entertainment/movies/article_4e1dcbfa-90b7-5ced-ac02-11c8939c2f2e.html |title=MOVIE REVIEW: 'Save A Life' stresses message through strong storytelling |last=Bennett |first=Dan |date=January 20, 2010 |work=[[North County Times]] |accessdate=January 21, 2010}}</ref> Bob Fischbach of the ''[[Omaha World-Herald]]'' said, "[''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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20100122/ENTERTAINMENT/701229955 |title='To Save A Life:' Christian film's messages valuable |last=Fischbach |first=Bob |date=January 22, 2010 |work=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |accessdate=January 22, 2010}}</ref>
Other reviewers were more supportive of the film. Gary Goldstein of ''The Los Angeles Times'' said, "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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-capsules22-2010jan22,0,7010167.story |title=Reviews: Parts are better than the whole of 'Drool' |last=Goldstein |first=Gary |date=January 22, 2010 |work=The Los Angeles Times |accessdate=January 26, 2010}}</ref> Dan Bennett of the ''[[North County Times]]'' gave 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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nctimes.com/entertainment/movies/article_4e1dcbfa-90b7-5ced-ac02-11c8939c2f2e.html |title=MOVIE REVIEW: 'Save A Life' stresses message through strong storytelling |last=Bennett |first=Dan |date=January 20, 2010 |work=[[North County Times]] |accessdate=January 21, 2010}}</ref> Bob Fischbach of the ''[[Omaha World-Herald]]'' said, "[''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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20100122/ENTERTAINMENT/701229955 |title='To Save A Life:' Christian film's messages valuable |last=Fischbach |first=Bob |date=January 22, 2010 |work=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |accessdate=January 22, 2010}}</ref> Hannah Goodwyn of CBN.COM 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." <ref>https://www.cbn.com/entertainment/screen/goodwyn-to-save-a-life.aspx</ref> Pluggedin.com states: "The final product is polished, professional and one of the best Christian films I've seen. Is it perfect? Will Oscar coming calling? No. And no. The Christian film industry still has a ways to go before it can tangle with Hollywood's best." <ref>http://www.pluggedin.com/videos/2010/q3/tosavealife.aspx</ref> 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..." <ref>http://www.movieguide.org/reviews/to-save-a-life.html</ref>


===Box office===
===Box office===

Revision as of 18:39, 14 March 2014

For the documentary film titled: To Save a Life, see Steven Pressman.
Not to be confused with How to Save a Life.
To Save a Life
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBrian Baugh
Written byJim Britts
Produced byJim Britts
StarringRandy Wayne
Deja Kreutzberg
Joshua Wiegel
Sean Michael Afable
CinematographyC. Clifford Jones
Edited byDan O'Brien
Music byChristopher Lennertz
Timothy Michael Wynn
Production
companies
New Song Pictures
Outreach Films
Accelerated Entertainment
Distributed bySamuel Goldwyn Films
Release date
January 22, 2010
Running time
120 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$500,000[1]
Box office$3,780,975[2]

To Save a Life is a 2009 Christian drama film directed by Brian Baugh. The film was released theatrically in the United States on January 22, 2010, and was written by Jim Britts. It stars Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, Robert Bailey Jr., Steven Crowder and Sean Michael Afable. The United States rights were acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films from New Song Pictures.

To Save a Life was produced on a budget of about $1 million, but nearly doubled 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.

The film was rated PG-13 for "mature thematic elements involving teen suicide, teen drinking, some drug content, disturbing images, and sexuality."

Plot

The story opens with Jake Taylor (Randy Wayne) attending the funeral of his ex-best friend Roger (Robert Bailey Jr.). After Roger's mom comes and asks Jake if Roger had said anything to him, she walks away, and Jake remembers that this all started during their freshmen year of high school. After Jake had made the winning basket in a basketball game, a freshman cheerleader named Amy invited him to a party that Roger was not let into. In the years later Jake joined a new group of friends, Amy became his girlfriend, and he became star of the basketball team. Jake grew further away from Roger, who became more of a loner. Three years later as a high school senior, Roger came in with a gun and began to shoot. Jake, knowing what Roger was going to do, tries to stop him, but Roger tells him that it was too late, and Jake watches in great horror as Roger shot himself. Roger died from his injuries and Jake wondered if he could have saved him by being a better friend.

After the final basketball game of his senior year, Jake meets Chris, the pastor from Roger's funeral, and a youth pastor. Jake goes to a party that is disrupted by the police and, being slow to orient himself, is the last to sneak out of the house. He calls for a ride home from Chris, who reveals that Roger had come to church the Sunday before he killed himself. Chris expresses guilt that no one had really welcomed him there.

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

For the next few weeks they all meet at lunch everyday. Slowly, Jake becomes shunned from all of his old friends, including Amy. Jake invites Jonny (Sean Michael Afable), a boy who had been mocked by a fake invitation to a party, to join them, which he eventually does. Jonny starts to emerge from a dark side to a happier side of himself as Jake spends more time with him.

After some time, Jonny asks Jake for advice on asking Andrea on a date. They go out for ice cream and Andrea sees scars on Jonny's wrist from cutting. She reveals that she used to be a cutter as well, touching his wrist. Jonny tries to kiss her, dropping his ice cream on her lap and causing her to draw back. Meanwhile, Jake finds out that Amy is pregnant with his baby and that she doesn't want to keep the child. He then discovers that his parents are about to have a divorce after his father had an affair. The next day at school, Jonny wants help from Jake on what to do with Andrea after he blew his chance. Jake takes his anger out on Jonny by brushing aside his concerns and humiliating him.

Jake and Andrea attempt to patch things up with Jonny, but he ignores their calls and resumes cutting his wrists. Danny, the pastor's son, overhears Jake and Chris talking about Amy's pregnancy and posts drawings all over the school announcing the secret to the school. That wasnt supposed to be told to anyone. In the weeks that follow, Jake stops hanging out with his old friends for good and spends more time with his Christian friends. He gives up his dream about going to college, much to his father's disappointment, and persuades Amy to keep the baby, promising her that he will help her raise their child. Amy, having been shunned by all her old friends at school, starts spending time with Andrea and the other girls from church. Jake continues to call Jonny, but Jonny doesn't pick up his phone.

Jonny bumps into Danny, who takes the cell phone Jonny dropped. Students are evacuated from the school due to a bomb threat. Danny steps forward and tells the police he thinks it was Jonny. The police search Jonny's locker and find horrific pictures of bombs exploding the school. They ask Jonny for his phone, but he doesn't have it, because Danny still does. 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. Jonny had opened a bottle of prescription pills preparing to over dose on them, but Jake successfully stops the vehicle just before Jonny ends up like Roger.

Danny is then caught by the police, but cannot bring himself to call his father, calling Chris instead. Chris leaves Danny alone, but Jake offers to stay with him. The pastor takes a leave of absence to spend time with Danny and Chris becomes the new pastor in his place.

Jake's life soon returns to normal. His daughter is placed in open adoption, and Amy gets back together with Jake. The daughter is adopted by a couple unable to have children and instead of taking the child and leaving, they want to keep Amy and Jake in the family. His friends and family gather to see him off to Louisville for 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 thought about taking his life too. He said that if Jake didn't invite him for lunch that one day, he didn't know where he'd be at the moment.

Cast

Production

The movie is a partnership among three faith-based companies: Samuel Goldwyn Films (which released Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Amazing 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, 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 more realistic. Actor Randy 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 being marketed in a grassroots fashion, a tactic that proved successful for low-budget Christian films like Fireproof.[7]

Over 80% of the cast and crew for To Save a Life consisted of Oceanside and North County locals. Several Oceanside locations, including Oceanside 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

Untitled

The soundtrack for To Save a Life has been released as a digital download on the official website of the film and iTunes.[9]

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

Release

Critical reception

To Save a Life received mixed to generally negative reception from film critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 35% rating based on 17 reviews.[10] Metacritic currently has its score listed as 19%.[11] Marjorie Baumgarten of the Austin Chronicle gave the film a negative review, saying, "To Save a Life is a well-meaning but ineptly made message movie..."[12] Melissa Anderson of The Village Voice said, "For all its initial attempts to soften its religiosity... To Save a Life is about as subtle as this closing credit: 'The producers would like to thank: GOD.'"[13] Andy Webster of The New York Times said, "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 of The Los Angeles Times said, "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 the North County Times gave 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 the Omaha World-Herald said, "[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.COM 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] Pluggedin.com states: "The final product is polished, professional and one of the best Christian films I've seen. Is it perfect? Will Oscar coming calling? No. And no. The Christian film industry still has a ways to go before it can tangle with Hollywood's best." [19] 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..." [20]

Box office

To Save a Life had a strong debut in its first weekend,[21] amassing a total of $1,581,517, despite playing in only 441 theaters.[22] Theaters in markets such as Burleson, Texas, Oceanside, California, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Evans, Georgia were the film's top grossing markets. The film was #3 on Fandango's most requested tickets going into the weekend.[23] 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.[24]

Home media

To Save a Life was released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 3, 2010. The DVD features an in-depth behind-the-scenes of the making of the film, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and music videos.

References

  1. ^ Fritz, Ben (January 24, 2010). "First look: 'Extraordinary Measures' has less than ordinary start, 'Avatar' not slowing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  2. ^ http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=tosavealife.htm
  3. ^ Kilday, Gregg (October 27, 2009). "Goldwyn Films acquires 'To Save a Life'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 3, 2010. [dead link]
  4. ^ a b Yonke, David (January 16, 2010). "Christian movie offers hope for hurting teens". The Blade. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  5. ^ Patrick, Nikki (January 9, 2010). "'To Save a Life'". The Morning Sun. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  6. ^ Hinton, Carla (January 16, 2010). "Film's 'heart' attracts actor Randy Wayne from Oklahoma". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  7. ^ Buss, Dale (January 21, 2009). "What Christians Watch". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  8. ^ Canete, Kimi (January 29, 2010). "Hollywood movie 'To Save a Life' filmed in North County". San Diego Entertainer Magazine. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
  9. ^ "Official Soundtrack For The Film 'To Save Live' Availabe (sic) As A Digital Download". BREATHEcast. January 27, 2010. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  10. ^ "To Save a Life (2010)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ^ "To Save a Life: Samuel Goldwyn Films". Metacritic. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  12. ^ Baumgarten, Marjorie (January 22, 2010). "To Save a Life". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  13. ^ Anderson, Melissa (January 19, 2010). "To Save a Life Wants To Rescue Kids from the Satanic Messages of Gossip Girl". The Village Voice. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  14. ^ Webster, Andy (January 22, 2010). "An Athlete in Search of Redemption". The New York Times. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  15. ^ Goldstein, Gary (January 22, 2010). "Reviews: Parts are better than the whole of 'Drool'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  16. ^ Bennett, Dan (January 20, 2010). "MOVIE REVIEW: 'Save A Life' stresses message through strong storytelling". North County Times. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  17. ^ Fischbach, Bob (January 22, 2010). "'To Save A Life:' Christian film's messages valuable". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  18. ^ https://www.cbn.com/entertainment/screen/goodwyn-to-save-a-life.aspx
  19. ^ http://www.pluggedin.com/videos/2010/q3/tosavealife.aspx
  20. ^ http://www.movieguide.org/reviews/to-save-a-life.html
  21. ^ Knegt, Peter (January 24, 2010). "Box Office: Christian "Life" Debuts Strong; "Heart" Expands Well". indieWire. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  22. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. January 22–24, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  23. ^ Finke, Nikki (January 25, 2010). "'To Save A Life' Slipped Through Cracks". Deadline Hollywood Daily. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  24. ^ "To Save a Life". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
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