Big Fat Independent Movies

Sending Off SXSW Film 04

Saved!

D: Brian Dannelly; with Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Eva Amurri, Chad Faust, Martin Donovan, and Mary-Louise Parker

Narrative Feature Special Screenings

Mary (Malone) is a devout girl who, along with her psychotically pious pal Hilary Faye (Moore), pickets Planned Parenthoods and rocks for Jesus in the Christian Jewels. The Lord's plan seems to be running smoothly until her boyfriend Dean (Faust) lets her in on a little secret: He's gay. Inspired by a visit from JC himself, the two get physical to cure Dean of his "faggotry." Thing is, he's still gay, she's knocked up, and Mary's world starts to fall apart. A first-time outsider, she's befriended by rebel Jew Cassandra (Amurri) and Hilary's wheelchair-bound brother Roland (Culkin). From here, the movie takes a sort of "a jew, a cripple, and a fornicator walk into a high school" turn as the three take on not only the bitches in the Jewels but also the Good Book itself. Producer Michael Stipe got it right when describing Saved! as "sweetly subversive," though at times the sweetness gets stuck in your teeth.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
SXSW Film Releases Full Feature Lineup
SXSW Film Releases Full Feature Lineup
Slate includes everyone from Wes Anderson to the Zellners

Monica Riese, Jan. 30, 2014

Mindy Kaling Comes to SXSW
Mindy Kaling Comes to SXSW
The comedian and showrunner will speak March 9

Monica Riese, Jan. 21, 2014

More by Diana Welch
The Real Cost of a Lap Dance?
The Real Cost of a Lap Dance?
Lawsuit cites violation of wage laws at strip clubs

Oct. 29, 2010

Mistrial, Retrial for McKay
Mistrial, Retrial for McKay
Jurors drop bomb on prosecutors' case against man accused of bomb-making

Feb. 6, 2009

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
NEWSLETTERS
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle