Every once in a while a film comes a long that respects the intelligence and maturity of its audience.

Such is the case with the powerful new film Save Me. This stunning feature, starring Judith Light, Chad  Allen, Stephen Lang and Robert Gant is set within a faith-based recovery home for homosexuals in New Mexico. The film does not take the easy way and insult its viewers with predictable stereotypes of either Christians or homosexuals. Instead, it challenges us to listen carefully while we are being thoroughly entertained. With great skill, the film has no villains but captures the spirit of people attempting to live in their beliefs while searching for love. To move between the gray areas is no small feat of accomplishment.

What a magnificent achievement for its Executive Producers James Garbus and Robert Kroupa and a viewing delight for all of us. A special nod has to be given to Producer Herb Hamsher whose years of experience have gifted this film with great values and principles.

From Save Me's opening scene of a rampaging drug addicted Chad Allen seeking reckless sexual thrills in a cheap motel room with Jeremy Glazer (Letters from Iwo Jima) to the tenderness and love that dominates the end of the film, the audience is held by the intelligent screenplay adapted from Craig Chester's work by talented word master Robert Desiderio. Rarely are we treated with such respect by a screenwriter.

Building upon the compelling story, it’s impossible to deny that the movie belongs to Judith Light. She gives the performance of a lifetime and she deserves to rack up serious awards for this work. This marvelous actress has increasingly grown with every role she has tackled and it is in this film, Ms. Light culminates her award-winning career. Her head turning, rave reviewed role in "Wit" served notice that Angela from "Who's the Boss" had morphed into a serious actress. Every time she appears on-screen in Save Me she owns the moment. The nuances she captures from the intelligent script are astounding and she misses none. Light never overplays a complex and emotional role that is layered with psychological mysteries.

She is complimented by a companion performance from Stephen Lang (A Few Good Men) who plays her husband. Lang, a great actor, allows Light to shine and in the process delivers another first rate performance himself. The handsome Lang plays off the emotional Light with a realness and care that allows their story to shine. Her interaction with the talented Chad Allen, who goes from the drug induced sex scene to being a client in their recovery house, is a tear jerker and in the end no one can doubt the love of a "mother" to a surrogate 'son'. Both Allen and Light pull this off with dignity and believability. Kudos to both.

I don't want to reveal too much information on the ending so that the viewer can have full enjoyment of this fine movie. However, Save Me in the end is about love in all its forms. The splendid cast makes us believe it and feel it. The movie is opening in limited release this weekend in New York City and shortly, in Los Angeles and many more cities. Visit their website to locations and showings at http://www.savememovie.com/ Give yourself a gift this weekend and go see it now.

Review written by David B. Mixner