Keeping the Faith (2000)

ok romantic comedy

Ben Stiller and Ed Norton star as a rabbi and priest who are reunited with their friend from junior high school, a high-powered, workaholic businesswoman played by Jenna Elfman. I thought Norton and Stiller had good chemistry and were believable as life-long friends. I thought the early scenes in which a Jew and Christian become interested in each other's faith interesting. I just wished this would have been developed more throughout the film.

When Elfman's character comes into the picture, she throws her two male friends' lives for a loop. Stiller is a rabbi who is being pressured to meet and marry a nice Jewish girl, and Norton is a priest who must live a life of celibacy. Both men lust for Elfman. Stiller, who begins secretly dating Elfman, is afraid his synagogue and his congregation and family will find out that he is involved with a non-Jew. Norton contemplates violating his celibacy vows so he can be with Elfman.

My problem is that these two men swoon so much over Elfman. She is attractive but not a stunning head-turner. She's not a great actress, either, and belongs on TV. I thought another actress, maybe Cameron Diaz, might have been better in the role.

Also, it's obvious that Elfman and Stiller are in LUST, not love, as they seem to spend a lot of their time in bed with each other. Their relationship is shallow. Stiller's character, who has a history of having flings with women, seemed a bit shallow himself. Norton's character seemed a bit deeper. Another problem is that Stiller and Elfman have no real chemistry together. Elfman seemed to have more chemistry with Norton, actually.

I also think the love triangle could have used more tension, too. Elfman flirts with Norton, but once she gets involved with Stiller, she seems to treat him more like a brother. It would have complicated things more if maybe Elfman had some genuine feelings for Norton as well and then he could have very real inner turmoil about his chastity vows.

Of course, everything ends up very nice and neat and predictably, but I thought Elfman chose the wrong guy and I doubt their shallow relationship will last after the movie is over. Overall, this is an enjoyable piece of fluff if you are in the mood for a romantic comedy.
July 4, 2008

Family Love also w/friends

Where do you begin? I have never seen a film use Judiasm and Christianity as strong influences in a film.It was used so well in this film. Between Jenna Elfman and Ben Stiller and Edward Norton they really show how each religon is so majorly important to their lives and how it will effect their lives all together. It is a wonderful movie, I really enjoyed. June 7, 2008

Where was I when this played in theaters?

Kudos to Edward Norton -- both because this was his first out as a director, and because his story pays due (and funny) respect to organized religion (and individual faith.) How long has it been since we've seen a film focusing on believing/involved people of faith that wasn't either preachy and sanctimonious, or cynical and paranoid? Let's see -- maybe Steve Martin's "Leap of Faith", or Denzel Washington's remake of Cary Grant's "The Preacher's Wife." Maybe a couple more -- but not many.

It's nice to see a film celebrate active belief without turning into "Father O'Malley and the Dirty Faced Street Urchins of New York" or "Father O'Malley and the Dirty Alter Boys of Cell Block 8."

And yes -- it's cute, funny, & light-hearted; AND seriously about friendship, tradition, matters of faith vs. matters of religion -- and people living in this century. April 3, 2008

What a great take on religion . . .

Critics, schmitics---what I love about KEEPING THE FAITH is it's take on ecumenism and the sparkle of the characters/actors. Perhaps all romantic comedies are, after all, mawkish, since the pattern has been around for centuries. However, most of us do like seeing our favorites in the genre, as well as seeing the latest take on same.
Here Edward Norton's character is a priest and Jenna Elfman's is a high-powered executive just back in New York after having been away from the boys for at least a decade. Of course, Ben Stiller's character is a rabbi, to round out the threesome---"Two Micks and a Yid." The stage is set by Norton's character who is blitzed and telling his troubles to a sympathetic bartender, a Punjabi Catholic with Jewish in-laws. (Norton also directs for the first time here and the tone of the whole movie is lively and positive---the characters' comedic timing is excellent.) The plot thickens as we learn that Norton has made a romantic declaration and his suit was less than successful. The whole celibacy thing doesn't lessen his sense of betrayal; then we learn why.
Having set themselves up to play out the usual jokes about the differences between priests and rabbis, Norton, Elfman, and Stiller have a really good time with the dialog, the scenarios, and working with such stellars as Anne Bancroft, Eli Wallach, and Milos Froman.
This movie is a lot of fun, people, so enjoy!
January 8, 2008

A Guilty Pleasure

If you are home sick and have absolutely nothing else more pressing to do, "Keeping the Faith" is a nice little diversion for 2 hours.

Ben Stiller is more or less Ben Stiller, with a few moments of actual minimal dramatic moments which he carries off quite well. Jenna Elfman is beautiful, lively, and has a long career ahead of her...on television. Ann Bancroft plays a less serious version of the same "Jewish Mother" she played opposite Harvey Fierstein in "Torch Song Trilogy", and she is absolutely adorable, as always. It was an added treat to see the brilliant director, Milos Foreman, grace the screen as the wise old mentor to the young priest played by Edward Norton. And as his counterpart at the Temple, Eli Wallach is charming as the soon-to-be retired Rabbi giving counsel to renegade Rabbi Jake. However, my favorite in this assorted pool of talent was Ron Rifkin, as the Temple President eager to boot Ben Stiller from the Bimah and Temple.

Due to his immense talent, show-biz connections & charming personality Edward Norton was able to assemble a terrific cast for his directorial debut. And for a freshman filmmaker he did a good job...a solid B+. I have no doubt Mr. Norton will someday make other films and it will be fun to compare them to his debut in this comic romp.

FYI: If you are looking for a serious discussion of religion, interfaith dating, etc., seek out a spiritual leader, or a library, not a romantic-comedy DVD.
July 27, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...