KEEPING THE FAITH
SYNOPSIS:
Jake, Brian and Anna go to the same school at age 13 and form a close friendship which is
broken up when Anna's family moves away from New York. Jake (Ben Stiller) grows up to be a
Rabbi, Brian (Edward Norton) a Catholic priest and Anna (Jenna Elfman) a successful
corporate strategist. When Anna returns to New York as a stunning young woman, their
reunion is exciting, but romance soon blooms to complicate matters, confronting each with
a new view of themselves - and threatens the deep friendships.
"Edward Norton is one of my favourite actors - but he hasn't become a favourite
director with this well meaning, hard-trying and enjoyable but misconceived frolic. It's a
tough assignment to tackle as your first feature a screenplay inn the romantic comedy
genre that would test a master. Norton lets the jelly-like concept wobble about all over
the two hours, failing to find the right tone as the story develops from buddy movie with
a multi-religious setting to a love triangle that is as about as fresh as a supermarket
trolley. Not only is the screenplay far too long winded, it is far too loose and lacking
in dramatic tension until the very end. Somehow, with all the experienced producers on the
project, nobody got tough enough with the script. There are redeeming features, though,
including some fine dialogue, humourous scenes and funny lines, terrific performances and
excellent New York settings. Jenna Elfman shows she can out-Paltrow Gwyneth, both in looks
and talent, equally convincing at the light end as at the dramatic. Stiller and Norton are
great buddies on different sides of the clerical divide, and the Jew v Gentile material is
inoffensive. Perhaps that's another weakness, though…the film has no hard edges,
neither in the central story nor in its subplots, such as they are. Damn likeable though
you are, Ed, I can't rave about Keeping the Faith - but keep trying."
Andrew L. Urban
"At first, this story of a priest, a rabbi and their childhood friend sounds like
a bad bar room joke. But in his debut as a director, Edward Norton soon shows that this is
much more about emotions - love, friendship and, yes, faith - than religions. Certainly,
the characters are informed by their religion, but it’s not an issue the film takes
up. He brings quite a light touch to the tale, mostly (although not entirely) eschewing
the kind of manipulative set-pieces that mark the romantic comedy genre. And true to its
mission, the script by Stuart Blumberg captures some wonderful romantic and comic moments.
Perhaps at times it is a little too obvious (a recreation of the famous race scene from
Jules et Jim, for example, gives away the film’s intentions early on) and it
definitely goes on too long; but generally Keeping the Faith works. It’s helped
immensely by a strong cast. While the credits give top billing to Norton and Ben Stiller,
it’s Jenna Elfman who holds the film together. She brings both a believable toughness
and a touching vulnerability to Anna. Stiller is also solid as Jake and has some wonderful
lines. Although I found Stiller a little too funky to accept as a rabbi, Norton is more
credible as a young priest. There’s also Anne Bancroft in a great supporting role -
and watch out for acclaimed director Milos Forman in front of the camera. Although
it’s not exactly cutting-edge stuff, Keeping the Faith is a solid first film from
Norton; a touching and effective date movie."
David Edwards
"For those unsure inter-religious love rules, a rabbi can date and marry so long
as it’s a nice Jewish girl. It’s a sin for Catholic priests to even think about
it. But for this heathen male viewer, the best thing about Keeping the Faith is the
stunningly beautiful Jenna Elfman (aka TV’s Dharma). Thine eyes could hardly stray
from hers, her angelic face, stylish hair, impeccable fashion sense, her cheeky sense of
humour. Elfman was an obvious choice to play a sexy career girl who sways a couple of
godly young men, and she carries it off superbly. She also shakes the kooky Dharma role to
shine as a high-powered, no-nonsense, fun loving businesswoman. You gotta love a gal who
wears her cell-phone on her inner thigh and sets it to vibrate! Her character has it all,
so methinks female viewers will likewise warm to her radiance. Norton and Stiller are just
fine as the dashing religious hunks, the new-age Men in Robes, the hip new god squad.
Norton’s Yale pal Stuart Blumberg balances snappy wise cracking shtick with
thoughtful sermons that remind us of the bigger picture. It’s all a rich tapestry, as
they say. What Keeping the Faith lacks is a shrewd editor, and I found myself yawning
towards the end, as if in Sunday Mass myself. A half-hour less would generate a more
positive review. We could do without much of Stiller’s caricatured mama yenta (Anne
Bancroft), and a dragged out sub-plot of her exiled eldest son goes unresolved. More
curious is the lack of chemistry between Stiller and Elfman. Their scenes are fun, but the
scenes between Elfman and Norton really sizzle. Surely Norton would have been a better
choice for love interest with Stiller trying to cut in. Perhaps (as the whispers go)
Norton was being magnanimous in his roles as director, producer, and general driving force
behind this (his?) vehicle, which he dedicates, by the way, to Robin Norton. Though
sentimental and overly long, this is fresh fluffy stuff."
Shannon J Harvey
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CRITICAL COUNT
Favourable: 1
Unfavourable: 0
Mixed: 2
SOUNDTRACK Review.



KEEPING THE FAITH (M)
(US)
CAST: Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, Jenna Elfman, Anne Bancroft, Eli Wallach, Milos
Forman
DIRECTOR: Edward Norton
PRODUCER: Stuart Blumberg, Howard W. Koch Jnr., Edward Norton
SCRIPT: Stuart Blumberg
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Anastas N. Michos
EDITOR: Malcolm Campbell
MUSIC: Elmer Bernstein
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Wynn Thomas
RUNNING TIME: 127 minutes
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: Buena Vista International
AUSTRALIAN RELEASE: June 8, 2000
VIDEO RELEASE: December 26, 2000
VIDEO DISTRIBUTOR: Buena Vista International
VIDEO SELLTHROUGH RELEASE: August 22, 2001
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