Synopsis

At a strict Christian high school, devout teenager Mary Cummings sleeps with her boyfriend after he reveals that he is gay, believing she can change him. The encounter leaves Mary pregnant, while her boyfriend is sent away for treatment. As her classmates turn against her, Mary finds unexpected allies among outsiders and begins questioning the difference between genuine faith, compassion, and religious hypocrisy.

Factoids & Trivia

• Writer and first-time director Brian Dannelly drew heavily on experiences and observations from his years at a Baptist Christian high school.

• Although the story is set in Maryland, the film was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia.

• Producer Sandy Stern said the screenplay went through about 200 rewrites. An earlier version reportedly had Hilary Faye shooting up the school.

• Several prospective participants withdrew before filming began, including a church, a Christian rock band, and a homeowner who objected to the film's treatment of religious subjects.

• The songs performed by the fictional Christian rock band Godflight during the prom are actually songs by the Replacements.

• The production initially struggled to obtain permission to use music from the stage musical "Jesus Christ Superstar." The rights were eventually secured after Tim Rice saw the film and approved the use.

• The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2004 before receiving a limited U.S. theatrical release on May 28, 2004.

• A stage musical adaptation premiered at Playwrights Horizons in New York in 2008.