Keeping the Faith

Normally I associate Edward Norton with heavy drama despite "Death to Smoothie'. Imagine my surprise when I came across this very enjoyable and interesting rom com he directed back around 2000. Getting Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman, both at the top of their game here, only makes this better. Add a few great character actors, especially Eli Wallace, and you know it is going to be fun to watch.The surprise is the religious overtones to the comedy. Stiller and Norton are a rabbi and priest respectively who come into romantic conflict when a childhood friend/crush (Elfman) returns to the equation. A detailed look at the sexual sociology of both Catholicism and Judaism, done respectfully but with humor, carries much of the second half of the movie. It held my attention and generated quite a few belly laughs.Things do get serious towards the end, as they usually do in these type of plots, and it is a trifle long. Otherwise, I loved this one. Jenna Elfman was especially good, playing a hard charging business woman, far removed from her normal ditzy 'Dharma' character. This one is a winner.

One of my favorite comedies of all time. I was pleased to get this second-hand for a couple of dollars. I love Jenna Elfman and it is nice to see her in a role that is as far from teh hippie-chick she plays in Dharma and Greg as you can get. The movie has alot of respectful, but pointed humor based on the Catholic and Jewish faiths, which I find hysterical. The cast all work well together, adn the movie doesn't drag along in the middle like a lot of comedies.With a priest and a rabbi fighting over a high powered business woman you know it has to be funny. It's basically the setup to a good joke.

This is a joy of a movie! It is wonderful as a comedy, beautiful as a love story, and as a flick about a priest and a rabbi with new ideas, very cool! My rabbi said that he watched it together with classmates in Rabbinic School, and his comment was, "it really is not like that at all." We both absolutely loved the gospel version of Ein Kamokah. He did enjoy watching it and thought it was hilarious. It does have Jewish and Catholic ritual, and expresses both with reverence even in comedy. They stay funny with class and in honor of tradition, and at the same time, as a good comedy should in my opinion, raise questions. In this case, those which ancient faiths struggle with in the modern world, and in a lovely manner.

If you are home sick and have absolutely nothing else more pressing to do, "Keeping the Faith" is a nice little diversion for 2 hours.Ben Stiller is more or less Ben Stiller, with a few moments of actual minimal dramatic moments which he carries off quite well. Jenna Elfman is beautiful, lively, and has a long career ahead of her...on television. Ann Bancroft plays a less serious version of the same "Jewish Mother" she played opposite Harvey Fierstein in "Torch Song Trilogy", and she is absolutely adorable, as always. It was an added treat to see the brilliant director, Milos Foreman, grace the screen as the wise old mentor to the young priest played by Edward Norton. And as his counterpart at the Temple, Eli Wallach is charming as the soon-to-be retired Rabbi giving counsel to renegade Rabbi Jake. However, my favorite in this assorted pool of talent was Ron Rifkin, as the Temple President eager to boot Ben Stiller from the Bimah and Temple.Due to his immense talent, show-biz connections & charming personality Edward Norton was able to assemble a terrific cast for his directorial debut. And for a freshman filmmaker he did a good job...a solid B+. I have no doubt Mr. Norton will someday make other films and it will be fun to compare them to his debut in this comic romp.FYI: If you are looking for a serious discussion of religion, interfaith dating, etc., seek out a spiritual leader, or a library, not a romantic-comedy DVD.

This movie was so amazing on so many levels. It was interesting every single moment until the end! It was also HILARIOUS!!!!!!

A charming story, though heartbreaking at times. I actually use a portion of this film in my religion classes. The opening sequence where Edward Norton and Ben Stiller grow up together and try to teach each other about their different faiths is amusing and touching. It helps me talk about religious pluralism.

"Who is the coolest woman you have ever known?""That's easy: Anna Riley, in eighth grade."Keeping the Faith is a really sweet and funny film about a rabbi, a priest, and a hot and successfull business woman who get together again for the first time since 8th grade, when they were best friends all three of them. As you can imagine, the faith issues, the friendship, and the fact that they all now have adult desires makes for a messy story, but a lot of fun.The reason I review it on this site is simple: Jenna Elfman. In short, she is not only cool, she is also HOT. The clincher is the extra scene, cut from the film but made it onto the DVD's bonuses, of Jenna (Anna) and her vibrating cell phone. I don't recall having seen a scene before that was both funny and so sexy I could hardly sleep after. Get the DVD if you can.Favorite quote: "I know what an intimate relationship you have with your cell phone, and I thought I'd get in on the action."

This movie is about two friends who re-unite with their childhood friend, who's a girl.They both end up falling for the girl, who has grown up has grown up to be a strong and attractive woman.One guy is a priest and one is a rabbi, which creates an interesting set of circumstances.I like the actors, the excellent dialog, and the camera work; the close-ups.And, of course, I love Jenna Elfman, as the leaving lady.If you like romantic drama/comedies, you may like this.I kept watching it until my 3 day rental was up.

.I saw this at the cinema and then bought it on VHS and now on DVD. I've watched it a number of times with different ages ranging from teenagers to a 92-year old (Irish and VERY Roman Catholic) and it has been enjoyed by all.A warm and well-acted film (well by the male leads at least, I wasn't impressed with the choice of leading lady who understandably has since disappeared without trace; someone like Minnie a Driver would have been better).A film well suited to watching with the whole family on a weekend afternoon with a cosy fire and a Magnum!.

I wasn't sure I was going to like this movie, but I felt the need, the need for... a chick flick! I do also have a little bit of a crush on Ben Stiller 😊 I must say, I really enjoyed it. The premise of the two main leading men being a rabbi and a preist made it a little bit different, and the fact that the leading lady was feisty and independent appealed too. The lifelong friendship between the three of them was believable, and there were quite a lot of laugh of loud moments. The movie was also shot on location in beautiful New York ...somewhere I have always wanted to visit.

Love this film; sort of “been there done that “ Bought it to replace a old faulty copy

Excellent!!!

Very happy with my purchase. Good value for money and arrived very quick. Thank You. Gerard Purcell.

This film is one my favourite all time, it's funny and heartwarming all at some it.Love it x

I enjoyed this movie. It's not brilliant, but it does have an original storyline and kept me entertained. The three leads all perform well in their roles.

This is a real funny feelgood film loved it and the sound track so I ordered cd, received it very quickly excellent service.

One of those films I could watch time and time again. A sweet, funny story which makes you want to know the characters, in the way that Friends also does. Some great scenes.

this its a romantic comedy i really enjoy,its with ben stiller.have very goods actors ,its a nice comedy,very romantic.i love

good film

Fabulous film,thoroughly enjoyed.

Excellent thanks

good

a very funny film