Customer Reviews

To Save a Life [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jake has all he could ever want, popularity, talent, good grades, girlfriend, and a bright future. The he witnesses the suicide of a friend and begins to ask, "Why? What could I have done?". His friends tell him to stop worrying, get on with is life, he didn't do anything. He answer is "Why didn't I?" His questions open his eyes to the hurt around him: people he has known for years, new people, family. Jake is forced to ask, and makes us ask: what can I do to save a life?

I highly recommend this well done exciting, thought provoking movie.

My students loved this movie! We were finishing a Relationships Unit and they found it quite realistic for what teens go through. They seemed captivated throughout the whole film. There is plenty of discussion that can arise after viewing it. Well worth a look!

Story about being bullied and the turn around of a person's life after his friend committed suicide because of it.

If you are the type of person (or family) who believe in isolating yourself (or your family) from the world around you, including the types of temptations, struggles, doubts, conflicts, situations, etc. that people in the church and in the world face every day, then I highly recommend that you NOT buy this film. This film addresses all of these things, touching on a broad spectrum of important topics like popularity, friendships, relationships, family and faith. Yes, watching this film will show the dark side of life and their possible consequences, including egocentricity (pride and elitism), falling into peer-pressure (alcohol and drug abuse), deception (deceiving oneself and others with lies), fear (of being found out for what they've done and who they are), brokenness (broken families, wrong priorities, sexual immorality), unrealistic demands / expectations, opposition (against Christianity, Christian values, et al.), guilt, shame, hopelessness, loneliness and suicide, etc. This film initially presents these things from the perspective of those who are in the world. However, this film does not leave viewers to drown in the sin, filth and stench of these things. There is hope.

There is a living hope. There is forgiveness, unconditional love, new life and a family in Christ that is real and freely available to a world dying in sin. This film is honest. Christians are by no means perfect; but being a new creation in Christ and being refined and grown by God through His Word, there is a change that happens in them (by the Holy Spirit). There is a mysterious, supernatural change that happens from the inside-out.

In this film, that transition is evident in the life, views (beliefs) and actions of the main character (Jake), which then spreads to others (both in the church and outside of it). This film does not shy away from the reality that people will continually fight against God and Christian believers, nor does it shy away from the work of God in the lives of unbelievers and believers alike. This film does not overlook the darker issues of life, but attempts to address them with honest answers, often emphasising that no matter where people are in their life and no matter what they have done, God is there, He loves them, He is patient, He provides forgiveness that can cover any and every sin, and God wants to bring everyone into His family in Christ (no matter how bad or undeserving they may judge themselves to be, Christ's sacrifice can cover it and is enough to redeem them). However, like in real life, people do not always want this gift of forgiveness and life. Sometimes believers do not always take advantage of opportunities to share this good news with others, and they mess up. Sometimes believers (and unbelievers posing as believers) make things worse (by what they say or do).

While watching this movie, there are times when you may want to cringe and say, "Why did you say / do that?!" or "Why did you not say / do anything?!" Yet, undoubtedly, most viewers have been in a similar situation and have done similar things (which we regret and may even haunt us). This film reminds Christian believers that in spite of our own shortcomings, God's grace is sufficient. God loves us, in Christ there is true forgiveness (because He laid down His life for us and overcame death for us), and in spite of everything God will provide more opportunities in the future to make a difference in someone's life--- perhaps even "to save a life." Do not lose hope. Spend time with God, grow in His Word and love, build each other up in the family of Christ, do not be afraid to dialogue with your pastor if you need help to sort things out (but remember that he is not God), and share God's love, forgiveness and Gospel with the world by your words and actions. And another thing: Do not be surprised if the world rejects you, despises you, persecutes you, or attempts to peer pressure / force you to join them in their unbelief / rejection of God (with arguments, threats, or violence). Just as the world did these things to Christ, the world will most certainly do the same to Christian believers. Be not afraid; you are not alone. God is with you and will give you the strength, words, etc. that you need to persevere--- even in the face of all these things (or death). You may lose everything the world has to offer you--- even those you love may abandon you--- but in Christ you will have gained everything that matters, even eternal life.

That is more or less what I took out of this film. (Granted, my mind rabbit trailed to various Scripture passages while watching this film.) Great for discussion and giving believers (especially youth) something to pray about and apply to their life (as God refines, grows and enables them in Christ).

I enjoyed this movie. A lot of real-life problems and situations and how to deal with them.

My only issue is that EVERYONE made the right choice (except for 1) in their situation = almost a little too pat.

But it's still a good movie.

This movie is amazing and I recommend it to everybody! It deals with just about every teen issue I can think of. It's inspirational and one that I can watch over and over again

this movie is amazing and really makes u think...i hope that everyone watches this movie and gets something from it

I really enjoyed this movie. It has a powerful message and really makes you think about your own actions. It"s about standing up for the less popular and doing the right thing, a really good movie about today's teens and their struggles.

Giving the impression this is a truly realistic (rather than "cheesy") depiction of youth culture, "To Save a Life" confuses its viewers. Instead of helping kids who would not normally be exposed to the the Truth of the reality of God, this movie instead exposes them to visual depictions of sexual intimacy, the youth drinking culture, and shocking violence. While these scenes may be tame compared to Hollywood's normal versions of these elements, they are totally unnecessary to the story (if you can make out the plot), except to make the movie somewhat more "acceptable" to today's youth.

The story uses caricatures of parents, Christians, and church leaders as the backdrop to present its skewed view of God's love. Right and wrong are blurred while absolute acceptance is the only true spirituality. The popularity of such things among Christians who should know better is probably the main reason why this film has had any popularity at all.

Although I was originally concerned the film might be overly religious, I was pleased to discover a touching story with universal appeal that was light on religion and heavy on true value. I have already shared it twice and will continue to do so as the message is important and thought-provoking.