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Amos Lassen wrote on 12/27/2011:

“Save Me”

The "Cure”

Amos Lassen

“Save Me” is the story of a sex and drug-addicted guy who is forced into a Christian ministry in an attempt “to cure” him of his homosexuality. While undergoing “the cure”, he faces who he is really is and listens to his heart and spirit.
We meet Mark (Chad Allen) while he is in the midst of a drug and casual sex binge and contemplating suicide—not for the first time, it seems. His conservative family has had enough of him and he is lost. He has nowhere to go and no one to turn to. He ends up being placed at Genesis House, a 12 step recovery facility which specializes in sexual brokenness. Mark claims to be fine with his sexuality but, nevertheless, stays because he has nowhere else. Genesis House is run by a married couple, Gayle (Judith Light) and her second husband, Ted (Stephen Lang). Gayle’s son from her first marriage is also there and he is also lost and he is the reason that his mother takes such an interest in Mark.
Mark manages to stick with the program. He embraces Christ and begins to think that he not only able to but thinks he can renounce his gayness. There is a problem for him, however. A fellow resident, Scott (Robert Gant), and Mark become close friends and both men struggle with their attraction for each other.
The movie offers no surprises but the acting raises this film high above what could have been a mediocre film. The timing for the film is perfect as it hits theaters shortly after the Ted Haggard scandal. We get a sensitive exploration of the motivations behind those who conduct the “saving therapies” as well of those who attempt to be saved from the “deviant lifestyle”.
Gayle and Ted honestly believe they are doing G-d’s work but they are unrealistic in their expectations that they can change someone’s sexual orientation. Gayle knows her limitations and she is aware of the sexual attraction between her clients.
There is a lot of melodrama here and at times it is rather soap opera like but as I said earlier the acting is so good that it is possible to overlook those faults. The movie unfolds with a sense of deliberateness and it is possible to guess each turn in the plot. Still this is a film to be seen and should be mandatory viewing for those who think that we can be changed.

just a reviewer wrote on 02/02/2009:

((1)). This is NOT a gay romance, or gay love story (there was a kiss, there were some meaningful / longing looks, but I never saw any love.......that is, other than religious love). So, no, you're not going to see any memorably well-done love scenes such as you witnessed in "Shelter" (definitely need more films like that one). Instead, this is a "Message Film".....a tale of persons / organizations who aim to remold who people are----to remake their innermost selves. BUT.......that is a goal which is not going to be successful, although there will be cases / instances presented in order to convince us otherwise (if there are personality changes, they will be surface ones only).

((2)). Through the way this film has been set up, and especially in its ending, it is almost as though we are being expected to just accept that love was / had been taking place. Well, I'm sorry; I didn't see it happening between characters, Mark and Scott. Lips meeting, dancing with one another, building bird houses together.......are not enough for me; they are all surface. The two actors filling these roles didn't produce that "magic," that "whatever-it-is" which I was given in the film, "Shelter." In that movie, I knew I had watched love begin and grow. And yes, folks, I do recognize that perhaps most of "Save Me" was not planned to focus on a "couple" but, rather, is aimed at exposing overzealousness by some in the religious community and their need to "reform" homosexuals. Having said this, I'll now step aside and leave commenting on that aspect of this production to filmgoers far more qualified than I.

((3)). As to the performers, a subject on which I definitely can comment: Judith Light is near-phenomenal (you'll never, never, ever relate her to that TV "Ugly Betty" role). Here, before your very eyes, she 'becomes' the message of this film. No one else can touch her. We can see Chad Allen trying, as we watch him with her in their one-on-one scenes. Sitting together in a truck at one point, we can almost see his efforts to absorb and keep up with what Light is putting out there----a special ability of hers not all actors possess. Yet, in his own way, Allen does acquit himself well in this film. Then.....there's Robert Gant: I've followed much of Bobby's performing, from his 2002 "Providence" (TV) performance, on up to today. My best impression / description of his acting style is that it's a "tentative" one; he's tentative, subdued. It's like you're always waiting for him to break out----but he almost never take you to that point. He, simply, has a "holding back".......a "keep you waiting" manner of coming across. In the end, that's frustrating for an audience, and perhaps it's telling that even a DVD Special Features interview of him did not accompany those of the director, Chad and Judith (yet again, Gant's faded into the background). In one last point about yet another actor, longtimer, Stephen Lang, does come across strongly........and when you're able to do that when playing against Light's extraordinary performance, you really are accomplishing something.

((4)).To say that this is not a good film, I cannot do. But I expected more.........I hoped for more. (This will not make it to my "Addictive" or near-addictive DVD shelves).

JB wrote on 01/24/2009:

I saw this movie here in Atlanta a few months ago in the theatre, then bought the DVD this week when it came out. It is definitely one of the best gay movies I've seen in a long time. Chad Allen, Robert Gant and Judith Light are just excellent. You can read the product info tab to see what the plot of the movie is. The performances are just wonderful from the whole cast, and the screenplay is very well balanced. Normally, Judith Light's character would be totally demonized in most other movies (which I think real people like that SHOULD be), but here, it gives a good balance of both sides of the argument about 'fixing' gay people. And in the end, I think Mark learns something from both points of view. I really think that the fanatics that went berserk for Gibson's 'Passion of the Christ' should show this movie to thier congregations- they might actually learn something valuable- we can only hope. I hope that further projects from Chad and Robert will be just as entertaining and thought provoking.

ponyboy denver wrote on 10/14/2008:

I had the good fortune to see this film in DENVER on 10/13 and I LOVED it! My only complaint is that the opening sex scene was so obscurely shot! I definatley wanted more of Chad and his boyfriend! But getting past that - this movie is full of passion and romance that is usually left out of this subject matter! Chad and Robert are SOOOOOOOO sexy together! Id give anything to have a man look at me the way they do on that dance floor! Holy smokes - if thats what being "BROKEN" is all about than I wouldnt ever want to be FIXED!!!!!!! In my opinion, the overall concept of this film is about the idea of "BROKENESS" - it isnt that being gay is what breaks a person - its the lack of LOVE that breaks you! Finding love isnt wrong and can in fact actually SAVE YOU!!!

I felt the acting was superb! I found the movie to be even more rewarding knowing that gay roles are being filled by gay actors - THAT is SEXY!!!!!!!!!! And the soundtrack is awesome - i'd love the cd! I also appreciated the fact that Chad, Robert and Judith are the producers - this is a classy film with an ending that not only makes you think, it also lets you smile!