Keeping the Faith (2000)

Why so much hype?

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

For once I have nothing to add, or take issue with - either with the best reviews here, or with the movie itself. This film is a gem, and Edward Norton, perhaps the most talented actor of our generation, turns out to be a genius of a filmmaker as well. But everyone involved with this film deserves praise, starting with the other leads, Stiller and Elfman, backed up as they are by solid performances by the other actors.I rarely rate any movie as high as 8, but the only reason I don't give this one a 10 is that it makes no pretense of being anything more than it is: a true romantic comedy, with neither aspect slighted, and with a satisfying feel good resolution that manages to dodge most of the trite clichés of the genre.The only thing I take issue with is the gross under-rating of this movie by those who can't see beneath the surface humor to the love, the artistry, and the good feeling with which it was put together.

Though formulaic, "Keeping The Faith" nevertheless does one thing which these "love triangle" or "romantic comedies" usually don't do: it takes itself seriously.And so while the film's framework – in which a priest (Edward Norton) and a rabbi (Ben Stiller) both lust over a mutual friend (actress Jenna Elfman) – is pure formula and the film's resolution entirely generic, "Keeping The Faith" nevertheless contains a number of interesting scenes. These scenes, which take issues of religion, love, friendship and faith seriously and which allow the film's characters to chew on some dramatic moments and dig deeper into what would ordinary be pretty cardboard characters, are the result of Edward Norton, who made his directorial debut with this film.Understandably an actor-centric film-maker, Norton does his best to wrestle some substance out of his cast, and at times finds some good stuff, like a scene in which a priest talks frankly about his celibacy, and another in which best friends share emotional, teary eyed confessions.The film's love triangle plot is also somewhat interesting. Each character embodies a different type of spiritual uncertainty, one seeking sexual intimacy, one God and celibacy, the other career and money, but each with their own anxieties about the ability of these quests to actually fill their respective existential holes. The resolutions these three characters ultimately settle upon are trite, but the way they expose their uncertainties are interesting, our trio possessing a kind of raw, emotional honesty that these cookie cutter films usually lack. Throw in a sexy and at times emotionally naked performance by Jenna Elfman, a couple very well written dialogue scenes and you have a pretty good debut.7.9/10 – Overlong and with an identity crisis, "Keeping The Faith" nevertheless contains three or four very good scenes.

A rabbi (Ben Stiller) and a Catholic priest (Edward Norton), long-time friends, both fall in love with a girl (Jenna Elfman) they knew from childhood.The film's premise sounds like the opening of a corny joke, and this is an unashamedly old-fashioned set-up; Bing Crosby would not have been out of place playing this priest. For all that, it's hugely appealing, Stiller and Norton trade quips engagingly, and it's a genuinely feel-good couple of hours. The film opened at #3 at the U.S. Box office, behind 28 Days starring Sandra Bullock and Rules Of Engagement starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson.

Okay, the premise of this whole is about two men in love with the same woman. The only problem is that one man is a Catholic priest and the other is a Jewish Rabbi. I liked some moments in the film when Brian tries to explain why he is a priest and the whole celibacy vow that you have to take to become a Catholic Priest. It's like he's trying to rationalize why he doesn't have sex as his choice or vocation in life. Men don't become priests for the glory, the high income, or the power. Men who become priests do it as a service to their communities, their families, etc. Sorry but priests get a bad rap lately because of all the scandals and politics but the personal rewards are so much greater than money, power, or popularity. There are priests and rabbis who do so much services to their communities whether handling funerals, counseling distraught families, dealing with poverty, AIDS, homelessness, etc. that they don't have time to think about the celibacy vow. Maybe if we didn't live in this age where sex is counted, we could have lived in an age where deeds, services, contributions, and generosity counts. So, I'm not crazy about Jenna Elfman who is a Scientologist. Technically, Ben Stiller is Half-Jewish but his mother Anne Meara is Irish Catholic herself so technically he's not. Edward Norton is cast as Father Brian. The other cast members including the divine Anne Bancroft as Jake's mom is worth watching. The friendship between Jake, Brian, and Anna are enduring but the whole sexuality just messes it up for all of them. It might have been nicer to have just Jake and Brian's relationship despite their different religions which are not so much different. People are so fascinated with the whole celibacy that society practically dictates that if you're not getting any, there's something wrong with you. Maybe there is or maybe there is such a fuss about sex in the general, you wonder what's so great about it in the first place. Of course, love makes the world of difference after all.