To Save a Life 2009

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: One of the biggest problems in most Christian genre movies is their lack of edge, a reluctance on the part of the filmmakers to show ugly reality. Read more

Andy Webster, New York Times: But forget the lame performances and arch, preachy sentiment; the movie's sham hip-hop and spurious alternative music alone should keep teenagers away. Thank goodness. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: This is a deftly acted, generally absorbing cautionary tale with wider allure than its faith-based label may imply. Read more

Ian Buckwalter, NPR: Miles ahead in terms of production values and an avoidance of overt proselytizing. It'll likely be an enormous hit with the evangelical communities at which it's targeted. That doesn't save it from being an utter failure outside that narrow context. Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: To Save a Life would be bland and boring even as a half-hour after-school special. Read more

Andrew Barker, Variety: Hints at becoming a thoughtful portrait of a teen's spiritual crisis, then abandons all narrative integrity to hit its church-mandated marks. Read more

Melissa Anderson, Village Voice: To Save a Life is about as subtle as this closing credit: "The producers would like to thank: GOD." Read more