By Rémy Crane in Los Angeles

“Saved” is a parody of Christian life in America with its star Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore) on a mission to “save” sinners in her fundamentalist Christian high school. The film is a glimpse into the lives of a group of teenagers who believe their paths in life can be spelled out to them only if they find redemption and faith through the Lord. Those who think differently and are different aren’t tolerated. But this film poses the question: “Why would God make us so different if he wanted us to be the same?” The film’s subject matter is a bit disputatious as evidenced by Mandy who plays Hilary, the popular, however, born again Christian- crazed teen. Mandy’s character becomes confused once her close friends begin to see things in a different light than she does. Mandy, who is best known for her roles as the good girl in teenage chick flicks that often have a religious theme or as the sugar-coated, always smiling pop star, brings her slightly nutty almost vindictive character to life in “Saved!” The casting of Moore as Hilary was ideal and shows a real range of acting ability. She embraces the role with a knack for understanding and delivering the humor in this script. I guarantee that moviegoers, who may not enjoy her as a singer, will appreciate and admire what Mandy brings to this performance. Here is what Mandy had to say:

Q: What attracted you to the part of Hilary? And do you think there is going to be controversy with you playing this role?

MANDY: I don’t think this film is controversial. I think these kinds of people really exist. They are not bad people by any means. My character means well, even if she is a little misguided.

Q: Have you ever met anyone like Hilary?

MANDY: No, I haven’t. I went to a Catholic high school for a little bit, but I never knew people like her. It always seemed taboo or kinda uncomfortable to talk about religion with your friends. Even though we had theology and mass, we just did not talk about it outside of class. So I did not know people like that. I guess maybe that is why I was so attracted to playing Hilary Faye. She does not quite know where she fits in. After reading the script, I felt bad for her; I had sympathy for her. She is like any other popular girl, but, in this movie, her interests are focused on religion instead of money, clothes or boys. I will say this about the role-- it’s so much more fun to play the bitch than it is to play the good girl. When I read the script, I saw her as this over- the- top character. There had to be a reason why people liked her...and I wanted to explore that.

Q: Were you ever in one of these “popular” groups at school?

Mandy: I was never in a group, but obviously there were cliques. I was friends with some of the girls in the cliques. I was always somewhere between being really popular and being sort of a bookworm.

Q: Do you think that because you’ve played in two movies with religious themes that people assume that you, as Mandy Moore, have embraced the Christian lifestyle?

MANDY: I just think that it is coincidental that I have been part of two films with religious themes. That doesn’t mean this is who I am. I have religion, I have faith, and it fulfills me. And I know that this does not necessarily have to work for anyone else. And for me, that is what the movie sort of says-- you have to be open minded about people’s choices and differences. The film talks about the fact that we can’t all be right, but we can’t all be wrong. I always feel a little weird that you play a character and suddenly everyone assumes that you are that person. I mean, I would love to be like Jamie Sullivan in A Walk To Remember but no one is really like that. I think everyone has a little Hilary Faye deep down inside of them. But I don’t think that it is bad for people to think that I am that good person in real life. I don’t mind it; it’s how I am perceived.

Q: Since you came into this film so late, were you able to do all the research that everyone else did such as attending the religious rallies?

MANDY: I could not go to any of the rallies because I was still working on other projects. When I did get to Vancouver, there was this Christian youth rock concert one evening that we all went to together. No one knew that we were actors who were there to observe. But I have to say, the kids at the rally were all great. I remember looking around the room thinking, “This is so cool that all these kids are in a common place and they all believe the same thing.” It seemed so healthy and harmless. It was exactly the way it was presented in the film. At the concert, we broke up into little groups. Then the group leader told as how he got involved in this movement and why he is a Christian. I just thought it was really cool. These were people who so could have been my friends talking about how religion has changed their lives. I have so much respect for people who are that grounded and who rely on prayer and belief to further their lives.

Q: Do you ever pray for anything or have you?

MANDY: I have. Mostly praying is just having someone to talk to. I like knowing and
believing that there is someone there to listen to me.

Q: Was it true that you did a lot of improvisation in the film?

MANDY: Yeah. I loved it. I felt like I could try things out and fall on my And some scenes that ended up in the film are us just messing and goofing around. The whole thing with Patrick Fugit and me dancing. We were just pretending that we were in a musical for a split second and that footage ended up in the movie. It’s so random.

Q: And, one last question about the film: Did you actually drive that van?

MANDY: I did. It was a huge boat. Not the car for me! It’s strictly a carpooling car.

Q: Let’s discuss your other work. I hear you are one busy lady. You have a singing career, now an acting career and there is talk that you also have a clothing line in the works. Any comment?

MANDY: I am busy with several careers at the moment. And you are right. I do also have a line of T-shirts that have to do with music with quotes from my favorite songs. I am also involved in the leukemia and lymphoma society. I wanted the proceeds from my shirts to go to this organization.

Q: Taking about balancing all the different aspects of your life, especially music and film, do you ever feel that you have to choose one or the other? Do you have a favorite?

MANDY: No. I just finished a film a few days ago. I did miss being on stage, being with a band and just being in the studio. I just signed with Warner Brothers. I am excited to be with a label and have it be a joint-team effort. Plus, I am always writing music and hopefully this summer will be recording time.

Q: Because you are so busy, do you ever have time to watch things like "American Idol"?

MANDY: I watched more last season. I was a little obsessed. I would schedule my Tuesday around the show. I would be on the phone with friends and after someone’s performance I would be like, ‘So, what did you think?’ I don’t understand how the really good people are booted off. What is up with that?

Q: Do you see yourself doing more edgy independent films?

MANDY: This was so much fun. It was my first independent film experience, and I know that Jena Malone and others involved with this project are the kings and queens of independent films. It’s so much fun to have more creative control, especially when you don’t have a budget, and people are going up to the director and whispering ideas. You have your own little world there. I think that’s how a movie process should be. I loved making this movie. It was my favorite of any project that I have done. I think that it is fair to say that all the members of the cast had a magical chemistry together.

"Saved!" opens in theaters May 28th.