Save Me (2007) directed by Robert Cary

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Director: Robert Cary

Writers (WGA): Robert Desiderio (screenplay)
Craig Chester (story)
Alan Hines (story)

Genre: Drama

Plot: When Mark (Chad Allen), a young gay man addicted to sex and drugs–hits bottom, his concerned brother checks him into a Christian retreat in the New Mexico desert. Run by a compassionate husband and wife team, Gayle (Judith Light) and Ted have made it their life’s mission to cure young men of their ‘gay affliction’ through spiritual guidance.

But after Mark bonds with fellow resident Scott (Robert Gant) and their relationship evolves, they are forced to confront their true selves. Featuring powerful performances and even-handed direction, this acclaimed drama is a subtly nuanced and deeply sympathetic look at both sides of one of the most polarizing debates in America: the conflict and possible reconciliation between homosexuality and Christianity.

Stars Robert Gant of Queer as Folk and Judith Light of Ugly Betty.

Up there with Brokeback Mountain as one of the most powerful gay dramas of recent years. --Time Out London

A thoughtful, important film of exceptional insight and quietly devastating power. --Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Awards: 2009 GLAAD Media Award Nomination as Outstanding Film - Limited Release

@IMDb
@Amazon: Save Me - Theatrical Cover
@Netflix
@Wolfe Video











Cast (in credits order)
Chad Allen ... Mark
Robert Gant ... Scott
Jeremy Glazer ... Trey
David Petruzzi ... Dustin
Arron Shiver ... Jude
Colin Jones ... Randall
Stephen Lang ... Ted
Judith Light ... Gayle
William Dennis Hurley ... Bill
Robert Baker ... Lester
Ross Kelly ... Adam
Luce Rains ... Clerk
Paul Scallan ... Paul
Carmen Morales ... Lydia
Forrest Fyre ... Dr. Wilson
Greg Serano ... Hector (as Greg Serrano)
Marc Miles ... Pastor Thompson
Kevin Wiggins ... Mr. Andrews
Mary Evans ... Mrs. Andrews
Hunter Krestan ... John
Carmen Serano ... Anna (as Carmen Serrano)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brent Lambert ... Dancer (uncredited)
Paul McGowen ... Doctor Lowney (uncredited)

Comments

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I like this movie since Mark's search for a reason to live is reached, even if not as the others expected. I like also the fact that the Christian center where Mark was "forced" to be a guest, is not some type of hell, but the couple who manage it, they are really compassionate people, only with some "radical" idea. But the husband has doubt on what they are doing, and the wife, Gayle, at least admits that her reason are not exactly without maybe a too personal involvement. More than the love story, even if there is a love story and it's nice, the movie centers around Mark and Gayle's relationship, that is almost a mother and son's one.

[sidhe-woman.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this! I shall look out for this film and grab the dvd as soon as I can. I really enjoy the Don Strachey Mysteries dvds, starring Chad Allen. He is a fine actor, and rather easy on the eye. Not that I'm shallow or anything...

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

This movie is more centered on social issue than romance, so even if we are shallow to like Chad Allen, seeing it we prove that we are not THAT shallow ;-) Elisa

[sidhe-woman.livejournal.com]

Heh! I *like* your reasoning! I will watch it and feel virtuous!

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

This movie has been playing on premium cable channels in the USA recently and it was incredible.

Judith Light is brilliant and doesn't come out looking evil -- one of the tributes to the script and her acting ability.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes exactly, there is not right or wrong in the movie, only different perspective. Elisa

[blake-fraina.livejournal.com]

I saw this movie on SHO on Demand last month. I wasn't expecting much, but was hugely [and pleasantly] surprised. Like the commenter above, I found it to be much more powerful because none of the people were caricatures. The husband and wife who owned the establishment were decent, well-intentioned people - even if their ideas were misguided. I enjoyed it so much, I ended up watching it three times.

A fine, complex film.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

And it's the reason why I chose it. I really liked the characters of husband and wife, and even if misguided, I prefer them to some other fanatic. Elisa

[dreamilywistful.livejournal.com]

I love Robert Gant (from Queer as Folk, I love that show ♥) so I'll have to check this movie out :)

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

This is more romantic than romance, if you get what I mean, but it was a nice movie, and Robert Gant's role was very good. Elisa

[cassandra-gold.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this movie very much as well. I thought it was interesting to compare Save Me to Shock to the System, one of the Donald Strachey movies that deals with the same topic. I liked them both, but Save Me was a much more nuanced portrayal of the ex-gay movement.

And like several of the above commenters, I'm a Chad Allen fan. I saw him on stage doing The Little Dog Laughed a few months back and he was just wonderful. :)

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

He is not so famous in Italy, but I enjoyed very much his portrait in this movie. Elisa