Keeping the Faith

April 14th, 2000







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Keeping the Faith

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Still of Edward Norton and Ben Stiller in Keeping the FaithStill of Jenna Elfman, Edward Norton and Ben Stiller in Keeping the FaithStill of Anne Bancroft, Jenna Elfman, Ben Stiller and Eli Wallach in Keeping the FaithStill of Jenna Elfman and Edward Norton in Keeping the FaithStill of Jenna Elfman, Edward Norton and Ben Stiller in Keeping the FaithStill of Jenna Elfman, Edward Norton and Ben Stiller in Keeping the Faith

Plot
A story about two friends, a priest and a rabbi, who fall in love with the same beauty (Jenna Elfman).

Release Year: 2000

Rating: 6.5/10 (30,525 voted)

Critic's Score: 60/100

Director: Edward Norton

Stars: Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, Jenna Elfman

Storyline
Best friends, a priest and a rabbi, fall in love with the same girl. However, neither of the men can pursue the relationship due to their religious beliefs: the priest cannot break his vow of celibacy and the rabbi cannot marry her since she is not Jewish.

Cast:
Ben Stiller - Rabbi Jake Schram
Edward Norton - Father Brian Finn
Jenna Elfman - Anna Riley
Anne Bancroft - Ruth Schram
Eli Wallach - Rabbi Ben Lewis
Ron Rifkin - Larry Friedman
Milos Forman - Father Havel
Holland Taylor - Bonnie Rose
Lisa Edelstein - Ali Decker
Rena Sofer - Rachel Rose
Ken Leung - Don
Brian George - Paulie Chopra
Catherine Lloyd Burns - Debbie
Susie Essman - Ellen Friedman
Stuart Blumberg - Len

Taglines: If you have to believe in something, you might as well believe in love.

Release Date: 14 April 2000

Filming Locations: 17 State Street, Financial District, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend: $8,078,671 (USA) (16 April 2000) (2152 Screens)

Gross: $37,036,404 (USA) (6 August 2000)



Technical Specs

Runtime:



Did You Know?

Trivia:
Cameo: [Milos Forman] Father Havel.

Goofs:
Continuity: When Anna and Jake's mother sit on the sofa looking at pictures of the Schram's wedding, you can see that Anna's hair line is darker the rest of her hair - she obviously has to redye. In the next scene which plays maybe 1 hour later in the story, her hair is all over blonde.

Quotes:
Anna Riley: What's happening with Ruth and Ethan?
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Oh. Ethan married a Catholic girl and that did not go over well.
Anna Riley: That's why they're fighting?
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: They're not fighting, they're not talking. Two years now no communicado.
Anna Riley: Are you serious?
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Yeah.
Anna Riley: What? Weren't they really close though?
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: As close as Ruth and Jake.
Anna Riley: That explains a lot.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: You see why tonight was not just a date.



User Review

A Divine Comedy

Rating: 9/10

There have been so many romantic comedies produced that it is difficult for a film to break out due to the depth and breadth of the competition. This is one that does. This wonderfully funny romantic comedy takes a fresh approach, portraying a romance involving not one, but two men of the cloth. They are not even of the same cloth as one is a Catholic priest and the other a Jewish rabbi. The girl of their dreams is also the girl of their youth as the three were best friends in grammar school. Now, after many years of separation, Anna (Jenna Elfman) returns and both men fall immediately and madly in love with her.

The film is chock full of religious humor and sharp-witted dialogue that keeps you grinning between guffaws. The romance is syrupy sweet and the actors have such great chemistry that it is easy to believe they have been friends all their lives. Edward Norton produced, directed and starred in this gem and he shows himself to be adept at spinning a magical yarn with very few flaws. This was Norton's first directorial effort and it bodes well for his future on the other side of the lens. His work with the actors was marvelous, and his pacing of the film was excellent. The film flowed very pleasantly from scene to scene and kept the viewer amused and immersed.

The entire cast is terrific. Norton plays Father Brian Finn and is funny and affable in the role. Rabbi Jacob Schram is played by Ben Stiller, whose comedic star is on the rise. In this film, he outdoes his wonderful performance in `There's Something About Mary' with a character that is just as amusing but more complete, with greater range. Anne Bancroft is also fantastic as the rabbi's mother. She has the New York Jewish mother routine down pat, right down to the accent. A dynamite performance.

The real news in this film though, is Jenna Elfman. She lights up the screen with her enthusiasm and her charming girl-next-door beauty. She is dynamic, hilarious, sensitive, sexy and lovable and pretty much steals the show. After her terrific performance in `Edtv, she proves once again that she is a talented actor and comedian. One can only hope that the popularity of this film gives her access to more and better parts.

This fabulous romantic comedy is highly entertaining and enchanting. I rated it a 9/10. It is especially funny if you happen to be Catholic or Jewish. I highly recommend it.





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