Field, T. (Producer), & Marshall, G. (Director). (2003).
How to Deal [Motion picture]. United States of America:
Focus Features. ISBN 078064579
Plot Summary
Mary, one of the "Christian Jewels" at American Eagle Christian High School, faces a dilemma when her boyfriend Dean declares he thinks he is gay. In order to save him from damnation, she has sex with him after receiving a vision from Jesus. Dean's parents discover his predilection and send him to a conversion camp right before Mary discovers she is pregnant from her first sexual encounter. As the school year ticks by, Mary must try to hide her pregnancy from Hilary Faye, leader of the Christian Jewels, and with the help of Hilary's paraplegic brother and his new outcast, Jewish girlfriend she begins to feel like she has somewhere to belong. When her secret comes out though, the allegiances of family and friends become apparent, and Mary discovers who really cares about her.
Critical Evaluation
This movie deals with the issues of teenage sex, pregnany, faith, and living with physical disabilities without shying away from any of it. The tone may be satirical, but anyone lauding the lampooning of religion in the film will feel foolish as the message ultimately comes out to be one of empathy and humility, admitting that one cannot know everything or what is best for everyone. In this, Saved! succeeds time and again. Whenever a character is set up as a villain, they are shown to be flawed. Whenever someone seems to have the upper hand in a personal situation, magnanimity is shown to be a gentler choice than goading or gloating. If one is willing to look at this as satire with a real message, there is much to find.
Saving her boyfriend from himself was the idea, now Mary's not-so-immaculate conception is going to put her through her own personal hell with the Christian Jewels and the rest of American Eagle Christian High School.
Genre
Comedy, romantic comedy, satire
As Hilary Faye's brother Roland, discuss how he sees all sides of the problem that is hiding Mary's pregnancy, concentrating on how each party wants what is best, but that their different viewpoints make that difficult to reconcile.
Interest Age
Rated PG-13 for strong thematic issues involving teens--sexual content, pregnancy, smoking, and language.
Challenge Issues
Teenage pregnancy, homosexuality, challenging religion, and language are all addressed.
If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.
Teenage pregnancy, homosexuality, challenging religion, and language are all addressed.
If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.
Reason Selected
This movie is acerbic, satirical, yet also touching. While it deals with sensitive issues, no one is made out to be evil in the end. This is satire with heart, and it is also one of the funniest movies I have seen in recent history.
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