SAVING SARAH CAIN

REVIEWED BY RISSI C.

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Rated:

I must start out by saying that despite my vast enjoyment in reading Christian fiction, author Beverly Lewis isn’t someone I’ve ever read a novel by. But I do know people who have and they have inappropriate and disturbing themes that are anything but Christian. However after seeing a special making-of feature, I decided this looked too good to pass up. So without being able to make comparisons to the original story, this is the result of Saving Sarah Cain (the book title is The Redemption of Sarah Cain) from director Michael Landon Jr.

She’s successful and has everything by the world's standards, but still Sarah Cain (Lisa Pepper) isn’t happy in all the ways that matter. After earning a nationally syndicated column through hard work and determination, Sarah is distraught to learn her boss (Elliot Gould) is pulling her column in favor of someone a bit younger, blonde, and attractive. After a raging morning in the office, she meets her ever devoted boyfriend Brian for lunch. Brian is genuinely in love with her and has a special afternoon planned for their one year anniversary. His plans, however, never transpire, as Sarah receives a call from her eldest niece Lyddie (Abigail Mason) telling her that Sarah’s sister has died. Struck with the fact that she’s not seen her sister since she joined the Amish faith, Sarah leaves for her funeral. In Lancaster County, Sarah finally meets her nieces and nephews--Caleb (Soren Fulton), Anna Mae (Danielle Chuchran), Josiah (Tanner Maguire) and little Hannah (Bailee Madison). The children are mourning not only the loss of their mother, but the fact that they are alone and must learn to lean on one another for support. 

Before she leaves, Sarah discovers that she must either take the children in or they will be placed in foster homes according to the law. Not willing to see the children split among several homes, Sarah takes them back home to Portland where a cultural clash, broken hearts and healing awaits this newly thrown together family. Right off, I have to say that this movie is nothing short of moving. It has a story that is delivered magnificently, superb acting (stress “superb”) and a director that knows how to direct. This Lifetime television movie looked like something that would be good but still have its flaws due to it being a TV film; it does have those, but the emotional journey we are taken on cover up any faults that may be tucked into corners of this story.

For me, the small collection of Christian films began with the fantastic Hallmark film Love Comes Softly and now the market has escalated to a nice little number and there hasn’t been a failure yet, at least when it comes to sharing Christ’s love and enjoyment for the viewer. A year ago, audiences were raving about the remarkable true story of one of America’s best loved hymns, then were moved by a touching story involving a young leukemia patient and a man who gains twelve priceless gifts, now we are touched by the redemption of a women who has one too many scars and can’t seem to move beyond her past. After a very emotional scene, Brian is crushed to learn that Sarah can’t see what she really has right in front of her. He states, "You have people all around you who love you and you can’t even see it.” The young actors involved in this project are where the acting shines. Danielle, Soren and Abigail are all amazing in their roles and one can see them doing more projects in the future. All five of the children make us believe in their characters' hurts and needs; you feel what they are feeling in their struggles, their grief comes off as believable in this movie and when it comes to acting it out, they are great. Some actors cannot do emotion, but all these children did all that and more. With the emotional theme of losing a parent, there aren’t a lot of happy moments, but the poignant moments more than make up for it. 

This film received a PG rating for “brief teen smoking” but there are other things to be forewarned about. A young girl sneaks out to see her boyfriend in her nightclothes and we see them run off in the night holding hands. Two “bad boys” mess with Lyddie by stopping her on a sidewalk and one caresses her cheek before trying to get into her head about what she’ll become living in the city (she runs off unharmed). Sarah’s boss is said to have ex-wives, and is rather interested in a young looker at work; he’s seen eyeing her on occasion while she makes certain he sees her at her best. Sarah lies to Brian and doesn’t tell the children what she is writing in her column; in the end it hurts everyone involved while ruining the relationships she had. There are a few references to whether or not a girl looks "hot." 

Some of the songs included in this are from today’s top Christian artists and one in particular has become very meaningful to me. In the first half hour of this movie, we do get some comedy that just makes you laugh out loud. After that, the tears start and you’ll want a box of Kleenex handy. Christianity is involved, but not overbearing. It touches us enough to have hope that Sarah will find her redemption with help of those who love her. Make certain to view the deleted scene "A Seashell Prayer," as my mom and I felt it should have been included, it is so heartwarming. I was also a little worried about the conclusion of this story…you have mixed emotions on the way you want this film to end, but you are satisfied and it could even be called cute even though the camera does linger a bit too long on a character’s expression.

If you enjoyed the comedy-drama Raising Helen, give this a try, since you get the same main storyline without as much content and a taste of Christianity portrayed positively. Kudos goes to Michael Landon Jr., and no matter what some people say, keep up the good work, these are wonderful and refreshing!