powermandan Keeping the Faith is a nice little romantic comedy that stars the iconic Ben Stiller and Edward Norton with the lesser-known Jenna Elfman. This had the potential to be as iconic as the stars, but it tries to take the safe way out by not putting enough emphasis on the love triangle bit and putting to much on the normal love situation. But for what it is, it is worth the watch.Ben Stiller and Edward Norton are awesome as always as lifelong best friends who know that their calling is to preach in their religions: Judaism and Christianity. Both use their own hip methods and soon fill up their parishes and become a rock star-like rabbi and priest. It is really cool to see them hone their crafts in their respective places. I myself go to church and I really wish I had a priest like Norton. If I were Jewish, I'd wish for a rabbi like Stiller. Although I am not Jewish, Stiller's bits in the temple are just as cool as Norton's bits in the church. When they were kids for a few years, their best friend was Anna and they were inseparable. When Anna moves back both Norton and Stiller vie for her, which puts their friendship and faiths on the line. Stiller needs to marry a Jewish woman in order to be the next head of the synagogue, but is not ready to risk it by being with Anna who is not Jewish. Norton can't marry, but is ready to quit the priesthood and be with Anna. That sounds like a good plot line for the movie. She loves them both, but is in love with Stiller. That is where the movie is weak. What would make for a better plot line is would be if she fell in love with both of them. Maybe in unison, but still. They way that it works out is that a love triangle is just a tiny bit of a backdrop and most of the story is Stiller contemplating risking his status as a rabbi. Nothing wrong with that, but the love triangle had so much potential that just resulted in a big cop-out. That is what makes the ending so predictable. With Anna having the same amount of love for both guys the stakes would be higher, tension would grow, excitement would elevate, there'd be more originality and would probably be more funny. But what it does have is good. It is romantic, funny, and delivers good messages in faith and religions. I would recommend buying this movie, but it is worth seeing if it happens to be shown on TV.

Python Hyena Keeping the Faith (2000): Dir: Edward Norton / Cast: Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, Jenna Elfman, Anne Bancroft, Eli Wallach: Interesting concept marred by predictable circumstances. Title refers not just to the spiritual aspect between the two main male characters but also the bond between three friends. Edward Norton, Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman play childhood friends until Elfman and her family moved away. Norton became a Priest and Stiller became a Rabbi. When Elfman returns she will come between the guys. Norton secretly had a crush on her but she becomes involved with Stiller. There are questionable elements about religion. As director Norton's shots are too conventional but the performances by Stiller and Norton himself are on target. Their friendship and faiths are tested but as predicted, their friendship maintains. Elfman is unfortunately reduced to a dimwitted romantic prop serving no other purpose other than to wedge between the two males and cause friction. Anne Bancroft is also featured but is terribly underused. As his directing debut one can say that Norton's talent is best represented in front of the camera as oppose to behind it. There is no way this can end on a pleasant note but thankfully it does end. It stresses the value of friendship and love that should penetrate when everything else looks as drab and dreary as this film. Score: 4 / 10

Maddyclassicfilms 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.

fierypoeticgirl This movie works. Why? Well, the actors, of course. The plot is simple, but these actors are the best in their field when it comes to comedic genius at work. I was sorry to hear that Edward Norton lost his mother, but he dedicated this film to her. Edward is so versatile, that he can play any character in a credible manner, and who can go wrong with Ben Stiller? His parents are comedians, so he comes by it naturally. And what a delight Jenna Elfman is. I absolutely loved her on the hit TV series, "Dharma and Greg." I miss shows like that. Overall, the movie was a success because of the actors. Anyone else doing this script would have ruined it. Great casting! Many critics on here focus too much on the plot rather than the great acting and facial expressions, physical gestures, and they are also missing what the movie is all about; friendship, faith and forgiveness. Watch it again, you might feel differently. No, it's not a masterpiece, but it's just clean fun.