Queering Cinema: 'Saved!' Continues to Resonate

Almost 20 years since "Saved!" entered American theaters nationwide, the movie still resonates strongly with the gay community. Surprising considering the film's premise deals primarily with Jesus-centric satire and teen pregnancy struggles. Yet, the 2004 project directed and co-written by out filmmaker Brian Dannelly mostly holds up over time. It gives a different perspective on what it's like to be a gay teenager in America.

In the immortal words of Mandy Moore's conservative Christian popular girl Hilary Faye, "Come on, you're not born a gay. You're born again." She utters this nonsense after her best friend Mary (Jena Malone) confides in her that Mary's boyfriend Dean (Chad Faust) admitted that he thinks he's gay. What Mary doesn't tell Hilary Faye is that she had sex with Dean over the summer in an attempt to cure him of his homosexuality. A plan that backfires in spectacular fashion. As a result of Mary's gut decisions, the high school senior discovers she is pregnant and hides it from everyone as long as possible throughout the school year.

Dean's parents learn of their son's sexual proclivities and send him to Mercy House, a Christian treatment facility that gives parents hope that they can de-gayify their child. In essence, it's conversion therapy, and Dean is subjected to a now semi-outdated practice that promises minors can change their sexual orientation. But Mercy House isn't really for the kids that are sent there because they end up meeting other gay kids like them and form bonds with those that similarly endure the horrific exercises. Instead, Mercy House helps those who do the sending, often parents who can't understand why their child could be gay.

Spoiler alert: Conversion therapy isn't an antidote.

At the heart of "Saved!" is a comical look at how some religions base their entire personalities on trying to save someone's soul, as evidenced by Dean's struggles with his sexuality and Mary's separation from the maniacal Hilary Faye when she realizes she can't trust her friend any longer. Hilary Faye does what she can to save her friends, holding prayer vigils for Dean's salvation and threatening to exorcize Mary's perceived demons. But the overall story is focused on being a high school film, a popular mainstay in cinemas at the time. After all, this is the same year that "Mean Girls," "A Cinderella Story," and "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" premiered.

"Saved!" is an essential piece of queer cinema, highlighting a satirical look at conversion therapy. Typically a subject too taboo for comedy, though the young cast of this movie makes it look so easy. Almost 20 years later, 26 states now have specific laws on the books that ban conversion therapy based on sexual orientation or gender expression for minors, paving the way for younger people to be who they are and receive acceptance from others. Even though a hefty minority of states continue to allow conversion therapy for those under 18, YouGov reports that a mere 8% of Americans actually believe that conversion therapy practices work.

None of these laws existed in 2004 when "Saved!" was released. While the movie itself might not have changed public perception overnight, considering it was a sleeper hit upon its release and eventually grossed over $10 million against a budget of $5 million. However, it might have played a part in understanding modern teenage relationships via the lens of outdated religious and conservative practices.