User Score
6.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 38
  2. Negative: 9 out of 38

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  1. AllisonS
    Jan 27, 2010
    10
    This movie really changed my life. After looking at the critic reviews it is clear that they completely missed the whole message of the movie. It challenged me to include everyone around me. So many times people are overlooked around us. This was a reminder to me that just a simple "hello" can mean a lot to someone and may even save a life. This is not all about Christianity like the critics make it out to be. Expand
  2. TomI
    Feb 1, 2010
    0
    An instant cult classic. Think "Left Below" with the cast of "Saved by the Bell". I caught this after it showed up on Metacritic because I knew the users section would be flooded with irate apologists. A form of backlash I saw popping up almost immediately on the NYTimes review. Here it is in a nutshell: Everything is broken down into the simplest, after-school special, watered down, Hallmark card terms. Don't be fooled, anyone giving this above a 3 or so without being ironic is suffering from the delusion that these reviews weren't entirely objective and free of bias. All that said, and I say this without any anti-Christian agenda; if you don't mind throwing the money down for Rocky Horror level unintentional laughter then you'll have a good time. Expand
  3. JanelleK
    Jan 24, 2010
    10
    Parents need to take their adolescents to see this movie!!
  4. JeffB
    Jan 24, 2010
    10
    Movie portrays real struggles faced by teenagersm faced by the modern day church and the transforming power of God. Movie is inspirational and a must see for anybody raising children or working with children.
  5. PattiN.
    Jan 25, 2010
    10
    Based on the negative reviews of the "blind" it's obviously a powerful life changing film for those who can see and think for themselves. This movie captures the daily life in high schools accross the nation. The media would love to keep youth away with poor reviews but the reality is is that it's going to transform hearts in young people, they will be convicted and the other well reviewed movies promoting death, sex, no hope will go broke...get a clue media land...change is on it's way. Expand
  6. JoyceD.
    Jan 26, 2010
    9
    Must see great message. We all could learn something.
  7. LarryS
    Jan 31, 2010
    7
    Good movie, good messages. Yes, it's not awesome by Hollywood standards (too many subjects tackled, maybe a little too much dialogue), but it still made me think about how I interacted (or didn't interact) with people in high school, and sometimes today. I hope people will give it a chance, we all need some of the messages here (not just teenagers).
  8. TonyT
    Jan 30, 2010
    9
    I have to admit I had no idea what this movie was about when I went. It was fairly well acted and the primary theme wasn't pushy christianity per se but about looking for those around us that are lonely and need help and how that help can prevent a tragedy at best (Columbine?) and at least lift the burden of those that need a friend. Its message was right on and we all can judge less and look for those in need. What is wrong with that? This is not a Christian only message. Wouldn't Islam, Hindu, Budhism, etc. teach the same thing? Wouldn't common decency and moral obligation demand the same? I for one don't look at what critics think but look at the ratings of those who have watched the show, experienced the message without the "job" of being a "critic" getting in the way. Critics are by their own job title "critical" and therefore not looking for the good in a film but looking for the bad. Just read their words in the critique and you can see their anti-moral bias. If you are looking for a good message, good acting with a moral and important ending then this is a film to see. Expand
  9. WesleyM
    Jan 22, 2010
    10
    I though the movie was great.
  10. ErikR
    Jan 24, 2010
    9
    Why do the critics resort to negative reviews to further prove their bias against Christianity? It's discouraging to know the true message of 'To Save A LIfe' went right over many of the reviewers' heads. Not the best cinematagoraphy by a long shot, but it does succeed at challenging the standard Christian walk as well as pushing a flawless theme.
  11. BillV
    Jan 26, 2010
    9
    A very smart and well done movie. Very sweet and applicable to today's times with regard to young people.
  12. MicahP
    Jan 26, 2010
    10
    Best Christian themed film I've ever seen...the acting was much better than fireproof or any other one for that matter. Many christian films come off as really cheesy, but this one seems much more real. I love how all the critics hate it because it's a christian movie.....the goal of the film isn't to garner awards....it's to change lives!!
  13. ChrisM.
    Jan 26, 2010
    7
    7 friends traveled 40 minutes to see this movie and were not disappointed...Could you do that with Avatar?
  14. DaneD
    Jan 28, 2010
    9
    Reviews by professionals renew my belief that they've lost touch with the movie business. Great movie, great message, great delivery. Critics need to get in touch with the world.
  15. May 29, 2011
    3
    Itâ
  16. Oct 9, 2011
    8
    this movie is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sad. I mean its a good move but i almost cried 3 times during the movie. i just saw it at youth group. its sooooooooooooooooooooooo good but it will make u cry if u cry during sad movies
  17. Mar 27, 2013
    10
    Wow guys. Just wow. The critics couldn't have been more wrong on this one. Fantastic film. Unlike many christian films, this doesn't feel low budget, and the story is intense fun.
  18. May 5, 2013
    8
    To Save A Life is a little confused and a little too zealous, attempting to deal with several subjects at once and not doing that very effectively. But the film succeeds when it comes to the simple message of how priceless life is, and you don't need religious sentiment to appreciate that.
Metascore

Overwhelming dislike - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 7 out of 8
  1. To Save a Life wants to rescue kids from the Satanic messages of "Gossip Girl"--a benign, even worthy enough objective, but must alternatives to empty, materialistic adolescence require baptism in the Pacific?
  2. Reviewed by: Andy Webster
    10
    The film would be a mere nuisance if not for its shameless exploitation of school shootings to advance its agenda.
  3. Reviewed by: Andrew Barker
    30
    Just as representations of human sexuality on film are often unpleasantly twisted by the grotesqueries of the porn industry, so, too, are filmic representations of religious conversion homogenized by the faith-based entertainment industry. Case in point: Debutante director Brian Baugh's To Save a Life.