If you heard that a new “gay indie” film took on the subject of an evangelical rehab center where gay men are “cured” of their sexual orientation, you might guess that the film’s approach would be scathingly satirical. Or at least scathing.
But the low-budget “Save Me” takes an unusual approach. The people running the facility are treated as seriously as the sympathetic gay characters. No cheap potshots here.
The facility, which aspires to cure substance abuse as well as homosexuality, is called Genesis House, located somewhere in the Southwest countryside. It’s the last-chance stop for Mark (Chad Allen), a gay addict enrolled at Genesis by his brother.
Genesis houses a group of men who are trying, mostly through gritted teeth, to buy into the months-long program. Mark is desperate enough to plunge into the system, although you don’t need sophisticated gaydar to see that his evening talks on the porch with good-humored Scott (Robert Gant) will likely lead somewhere else.
We also meet the sincere couple who run Genesis House, Gayle and Ted. The movie never makes them seem homophobic or even very strident … just ill-advised. And Gayle has an experience from her past that drives her to pursue this particular brand of “conversion therapy,” a plot revelation that fits a little too neatly into place.
Ted is played by veteran character actor Stephen Lang, and Gayle by Judith Light, the onetime star of the sitcom “Who’s the Boss?” (and also one of this film’s producers). They bring real weight to their characters, who have their reasons, however misguided. Light’s performance is almost eerily focused, and drawn from deep reserves of feeling; it would be easy to play this person as a caricature, but Light refuses to do so.
The movie’s admirably nonjudgmental stance only earns it so much credit; after a while you need originality and story development. Things fall down a bit in those departments, because not many surprises are in store.
There’s not much doubt about the filmmakers’ attitude toward conversion therapy, as they carefully show the various ways this theory doesn’t ring true. Still, I can imagine “Save Me” displeasing both ends of the political spectrum, exactly because it calmly listens to both sides. But that’s what makes the film so offbeat.
“Save Me” ½
Fair portrayals: An out-of-control addict (Chad Allen) submits to “conversion therapy” at an evangelical rehab house, intended to cure his homosexuality as well as his substance abuse. There aren’t too many dramatic surprises here, but the movie’s even-handed temperament, in which the sincere owners of the facility are treated seriously, makes it unusual — and Judith Light gives an excellent performance.
Rated: Not rated, likely R for subject matter.
Now showing: Varsity theater
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