More on "To Save a Life"

In today’s paper, I promised to post one of my stories from The Oklahoman’s archives about the movie “To Save a Life.” I interviewed the film’s star, a young man with Oklahoma ties, right before the movie premiered locally. I thought people interested in knowing more about the film, in conjunction with First Christian Church of Edmond’s upcoming Bible study and small group series, might want to see what one of the movie’s stars, Randy Wayne (pictured), had to say about it:     

Randy Wayne can empathize with his alter ego, Jake Taylor, the popular teen character at the center of the new movie “To Save a Life.”

The actor, who graduated from Moore High School, said he thinks most people will find a character they can relate to in the feature film set to premiere Friday in theaters.

That may be why the faith-themed movie already has amassed a following across the country, as word-of-mouth from screenings helps spread information about the film.

The movie is a partnership between Samuel Goldwyn Films and Outreach Films. The film has inspired a soundtrack featuring contemporary Christian group NewSong and a nonfiction book designed to help teens in crisis.

Wayne said he initially rejected the movie’s script without really reading it because he had been told it had a low budget.

When his agent urged him to give the script a more thorough reading, Wayne said he loved it.

“I thought it was amazing, that I’d do it for free,” he said during a telephone interview from his Los Angeles home.

Wayne said the movie attracted him because it has “heart” — with a relevant message not just about the tragedy that befalls one of the characters but about combating real-life issues such as self-centeredness, cliques and apathy.