KEEPING THE FAITH

"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