Social Justice: A Double Take

The I Heart Revolution: We're All In This Together

We're All In This Together is the second in a three-part project by Hillsong United, entitled The I Heart Revolution, the first being their ninth studio album, With Hearts As One, which was released two years ago. We're All In This Together is basically a documentary on social justice. Predictably, it also provides a good yank on the heartstrings to remind us just how fortunate and blessed we are to have the means to watch DVDs. Their slant? If their entire focus is directed only to what happens on stage, then maybe they have missed the point altogether. Hence their efforts to connect with people in other, non-musical ways.

In the film, the band chronicle their travels and the people they meet along the way: youth from different cultures and backgrounds, the underprivileged (from victims of natural disasters to child prostitutes) and volunteers who are trying to turn things around for the aforementioned people.

There really isn't a whole lot to reveal about the film — no plot twists, no exciting scenes — it is, after all, a documentary. What it does have, however, is excellent editing and the ability to drive home its main point: we are called to be a blessing to others, especially the less fortunate.

From India to Indonesia, the US to the UK, poverty and suffering are showcased in the film, broken up by animated segments telling true stories of social justice, from William Wilberforce's fight against slavery to the birth of the Salvation Army. Famous references are scattered throughout, from Nelson Mandela's speeches to Mother Teresa's quotes. Interviews with social workers, as well as big names in the Christian music world, Martin Smith, Reuben Morgan and Joel Houston, lend added perspective on the human condition and the one thing all of us need: God's unconditional love.

And though Hillsong United is one of the most well-known Christian bands today, the film manages not to be preachy, despite several Christ-centered testimonies and Bible verses. Ultimately, We're All In This Together is an eye-opener that both Christians and non-Christians can watch and be moved by — moved to make a difference, no matter how small.

To Save A Life

Continuing on the theme of social justice, we have To Save A Life, a story involving high school cliques, jocks, geeks and a tragedy that leads to a life-changing epiphany.

Randy Wayne (TV's Numb3rs) stars as Jake Taylor — the blond, blue-eyed star of Pacific High's basketball team, complete with a university scholarship and a blond cheerleader girlfriend in the form of Amy Briggs (Deja Kreutzberg, CSI: Miami, Law & Order). Jake's childhood friend, Roger Dawson (Robert Bailey Jr., Coraline), is the exact opposite: a lonely outcast who walks with a limp, the result of saving Jake from an oncoming car in sixth grade.

The story is simple enough: they grow up and grow apart when Jake becomes popular and eventually, a despised and desperate Roger walks into school one morning, fires a few shots at the ceiling and turns the gun on himself — but not before he looks Jake in the eye and accuses him of not having cared. Almost immediately, Jake embarks on a journey of reflection, realizing there's more to life than grades, popularity and a pretty girlfriend. He meets Chris Vaughn (Joshua Weigel, director of the award-winning The Butterfly Circus), a pastor at a local church, who ministers to him.

Soon, Jake turns to God and the Christian faith, shunning the hard-partying lifestyle of his teammates for Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings in church. Using Roger's MySpace profile, he begins to reach out to young outcasts and even befriends Jonny Garcia (Akeelah & The Bee), a stereotypical "emo" geek with a penchant for art & cutting, eventually saving his life in a sudden plot twist towards the end. After becoming a Christian, Jake begins to seek God for answers — how to deal with his warring parents, his increasingly strained relationship with Amy and life itself.

The film's good points include realistic portrayals of issues many teens today experience: family dysfunction, sex, matters of the heart and cliques, among others. Jake's parents have a shaky marriage, his pre-Christian self engages in drunken sex with Amy and the high school social ladder is examined.

However, every problem seems to be resolved a little too easily and the characters can be a little too stereotypical — the jock, the cheerleader, the geek. Before there is enough time for the viewer to vicariously experience each character's feelings as he / she goes through a crisis, a solution is provided. Yet, somehow, the film also manages to chug along slowly at certain parts.

The film does not shy away from its Christian values and even some Christians may cringe ever so slightly at the prospect. But overall, To Save A Life is good for parents and their teens to watch together. In this cynical world, such a film reminds us that all of us can change and ultimately, save lives, even if we doubt our ability to do so.