Jenna Elfman in Keeping the Faith (2000)

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Review

In order for a romantic comedy to find an audience these days, it can't be a simple boy-meets-girl story. There's got to be a 'hook'. Either the 'girl' is a world famous actress or the 'boy' is a re-animated corpse from ancient Spain who has to get married by Easter Sunday. While this plot device doesn't always work, this time the 'hook' (a rabbi and a priest chasing the same girl) is exactly what makes Keeping the Faith work, along with some help from a trio of great performances and a clever, even funny script.

Sometimes a movie can coast on ‘likeability’ alone and this is certainly one of them. It touches on subjects like friendship, religion and commitment but (for the most part) avoids being sappy and clichéd. There are also a few surprisingly thoughtful moments amidst all the romance and giggles. (Would you give up love for your religious convictions?)

Rabbi Jake (Ben Stiller) and Father Brian (Edward Norton) are lifelong friends. They each have devoted congregations, proud mentors and are even opening inter-faith seniors' center together. (It's not nearly as corny as it sounds.) When their childhood friend Anna (Jenna Elfman) returns to New York for some business meetings, things get screwy: Jake develops feelings for her, yet still feels compelled to date exclusively Jewish woman, while Brian has mixed emotions regarding Anna and begins to question his faith (or his vow of celibacy at the very least.)

Keeping the Faith does a nice balancing act between being too silly or too straight and it shows with the cast as well. While Norton is not known for comedy (and yes, I've seen Everyone Says I Love You), he handles the punchlines and the (few) slapstick scenes admirably. Conversely, Stiller tones his sarcastic volatility down a few degrees and offers a warmly winning performance. Almost stealing the whole show is Ms. Elfman. In her past roles, she's either been drowned out by heavy satire (EdTV) or atrocious writing (Krippendorf's Tribe). Not in this movie. While Anna is a giddy and silly 'free spirit', it's obvious she's also an intelligent and feared businesswoman. Given the light nature of the movie and her previous track record, the depth of her performance was truly surprising.

A movie always deserves some praise when it can offer its message in an intelligent (or better yet, subtle) way and this happens a few times throughout Keeping the Faith. Religious stereotypes (for the most part) are wisely avoided and the script is smart enough to ever really dig too deep into the questions of faith and religion. (This may be the first 'religious' movie in years that hasn't had some group protesting it.)

Edward Norton shows a surprisingly sure hand at directing and although he's probably not making Spielberg sweat, his debut can certainly be considered a success. New York City should get top billing here, as it is photographed in a fashion that would make even Woody Allen jealous. The few 'big laugh' scenes come off particularly well, even if you've seen them all in the previews a dozen times. I doubt that Keeping the Faith is going to win any awards but I can recommend any movie that can breathe a little life into such a tired genre.

Easily one of the best romantic comedies of the past few years, although I admit that's not saying much. It may get a little too "Aw, shucks" on occasion (the church choir pouring into the synagogue, for example) but not nearly enough to spoil a good time.

Nudity Report: There’s no nudity but Elfman inhabits a few gloriously tight blouses, the ample cleavage makes a few appearances and those long, leggy legs are in full display whenever she’s onscreen. She’s going to be a big movie star one day soon. Book it.

IMDB Summary: 6,619 IMDb users rate this one at 7.0/10.

Box Office: Grossed just over $37 million against an estimated budget of $30 million.

DVD Info: Widescreen Anamorphic format, audio commentary by Edward Norton, audio commentary by screenwriter Stuart Blumbert, deleted scenes, gag reel, theatrical trailers.


Written by: Scott Weinberg