Keeping the Faith: Movie Review, DVD Review (2000)

(Originally published 2000)

Directed by Edward Norton, written by Stuart Blumberg, 129 minutes, rated PG-13.

Edward Norton’s “Keeping the Faith” is one of the more curious date movies going. It’s about a rabbi and a priest who fall in love with their spunky childhood sweetheart, a woman who’s so fresh and exciting on so many fresh and exciting levels, she’s apparently worth throwing away all the vows and commitments each man has made to his respective religion.

Lucky for this film, it’s not so much a drama as it is a comedy not really interested in the ethical dilemma it presents. Instead, it’s more interested in love--the love it wears on its sleeve--and its relationships between its three central characters.

Inspired by a whole host of cinematic love triangles, from those found within “The Philadelphia Story” and “Moonstruck” to “Broadcast News,” the film stars Norton as Brian, a popular Catholic priest in his Manhattan neighborhood, and his best friend, Jake (Ben Stiller), a popular rabbi in his own Manhattan neighborhood. Both men are hip, happening, leather-clad members of the God squad who are totally unprepared when Anna Reilly (Jenna Elfman) re-enters their lives after years apart.

Once described by Brian and Jake as “a magical cross between Jonny Quest and Tatum O’Neal,” Anna seems to have it all--looks, brains, success, an adventurous spirit ... and an unquenchable thirst for sex.

As the trio gets reacquainted, the plot predictably complicates; Jake knows he shouldn’t be swooning over a gentile and Brian is certain his vows of celibacy are being threatened by Anna’s flirtations. Still, neither man can help himself from falling Bible over Torah for Anna, and so each must struggle with his conscience, which is handled so well, it gives “Keeping the Faith” an unexpected depth--and loads of charm.

With Anne Bancroft onboard as Jake’s Jewish mother, “Faith” solves its dilemma too neatly in a fleeting exchange of dialogue at film’s end. But this is first and foremost a romantic comedy--and a blessedy funny one at that--something Norton, a promising director as well as a gifted actor, never loses sight of.

Grade: B+