Keeping the Faith (2000)

the audience applauded

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

REVIEW of "KEEPING THE FAITH " at KARLOVY VARY, 2000. Directed by and starring Ed Norton, his behind the camera debut at age 29. With Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman, Eli Wallach, and Ann Bancroft. Ann odd triangle between and among a young Catholic priest (Norton) a young rabbi (Stiller), and a drop-dead beautiful trim blonde Shicksa. This is a mildly amusing romantic comedy set in New York with lots of Jewish shtik and shtiklach. Stiller plays the mod rabbi with the tenacity of a Kosher Apeman, Italian-American Ann Bancroft as the mother is Jewish-motherly convincing, and Jewish Czech director, Milos Forman, does a cameo as an elder of Catholic church, while Eli Wallach, in a radical departure from the villain roles which made him famous in Spaghetti westerns, is an elder of the synagogue. Ed, the priest, should have won the girl but his vows of chastity rule that out. In the end, after many misunderstandings, she's all set to convert to Judaism and live happily ever after as the rabbi's future wife. Elfman is a real discovery and should soon become a leading presence in American mainstream flicks. she has the pristine purity of a Doris Day with a nineties awareness and style, all hung on a perfectly fitnessed framework: After all, she's a classically trained ballerina. Altogether this is an appealing if cliché-ridden feel-good flick with a strong theme-message of unself-conscious interfaith interaction, although some strictly Orthodox "frimme leute" may not care too much for the idea of a rabbi about to marry a Shicksa no matter how "shein" and lovable she might be. Ed Norton, who played in Forman's "The People versus Larry Flynt" is a special guest of the fest as is Eli Wallach. Mr. Wallach, a veteran of over 100 movies in a long and brilliant career and still active at 85, added a bit of living film history to the current festival and was roundly applauded by a spellbound collection of local media, newsmen, and film critics. Alex, Karlovy Vary, Thursday, July 6. 2000

Keeping the Faith is unforgettable and unusual twist on the love triangle story. You know that joke about the priest and the rabbi? Well, that's not it, this is something else, something new.This movie is a sensible blend of comedy and romance. There's no exaggerations (well, maybe excepting that one weird date) and everything has a sense or realism, including the dialogs.There's a nice soundtrack attached to this interesting script with a number of cute twists. You will not be bored, you will definitively be charmed, and have a number of chuckles.See it, for some simply enjoyable entertainment.

Actor Edward Norton debuts as a director with this comedy-drama about love, friendship, and faith.Keeping the Faith is a romantic comedy film that is written by Stuart Blumberg which features Ben Stiller,Edward Norton and Jenna Elfman.This film tells a story of an unusual love triangle at how religion affects us in everyday life.Fr.Brian Finn,a Catholic priest and rabbi Jacob Schram have known each other since childhood. When Anna Reilly, whom they both knew as children, returns to New York, both men find themselves infatuated with her, sparking both rivalry and personal dilemmas: Brian has taken a vow of celibacy, and Jacob is allowed to marry only within his faith. The movie is obviously smart, funny and touching, and there is enjoyable chemistry between the three leads.The genuine chemistry among the leads that is fun to watch, and the script will keep you giggling.Also,the script administers a relentless string of laughs, most of them genuinely funny.Aside from that,it's a unique blend of charisma, wisdom, and emotion, rendered in a most appealing package.But nevertheless,it could have been better if wasn't extended longer for in light comedy, brevity is better. What could have been a great comedy is just a good one.

Directed by the great Edward Norton who also stars in the lead role Keeping The Faith is a sweet,funny and underrated romantic comedy.If you don't watch this expecting something deep and meaningful then you will enjoy it a lot more.The story is this Catholic Priest Father Brian Finn and new Jewish Rabbi Jake Schram(Ben Stiller)have been best friends since High school and find they are working close together in New York.Brian is contacted by their other best friend Anna Riley(Jenna Elfman)who made up their inseparable childhood group and they get together to meet up.Despite having taken religious vows both men(as well as caring about her as a friend)feel romantic feelings developing for "Anna Bannna"(as they nickname her).The rest of the film centres on the three of them trying to sort out their feelings and Jake and Brian trying to get a new community centre open for people to come and socialise at.With great characters and fine support from Anne Bancroft as Jakes proud mum and Eli Wallach as a fellow Rabbi of Jakes this is funny and something that will cheer you up when your feeling down.Although not perfect and not the best film of all time if you give this a chance you should be happily surprised with what it has to offer,this is worth watching.Edward should be very proud of this little gem which is such a delight.