How sad is this?

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

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

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.

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.

Okay, the premise of this whole is about two men in love with the same woman. The only problem is that one man is a Catholic priest and the other is a Jewish Rabbi. I liked some moments in the film when Brian tries to explain why he is a priest and the whole celibacy vow that you have to take to become a Catholic Priest. It's like he's trying to rationalize why he doesn't have sex as his choice or vocation in life. Men don't become priests for the glory, the high income, or the power. Men who become priests do it as a service to their communities, their families, etc. Sorry but priests get a bad rap lately because of all the scandals and politics but the personal rewards are so much greater than money, power, or popularity. There are priests and rabbis who do so much services to their communities whether handling funerals, counseling distraught families, dealing with poverty, AIDS, homelessness, etc. that they don't have time to think about the celibacy vow. Maybe if we didn't live in this age where sex is counted, we could have lived in an age where deeds, services, contributions, and generosity counts. So, I'm not crazy about Jenna Elfman who is a Scientologist. Technically, Ben Stiller is Half-Jewish but his mother Anne Meara is Irish Catholic herself so technically he's not. Edward Norton is cast as Father Brian. The other cast members including the divine Anne Bancroft as Jake's mom is worth watching. The friendship between Jake, Brian, and Anna are enduring but the whole sexuality just messes it up for all of them. It might have been nicer to have just Jake and Brian's relationship despite their different religions which are not so much different. People are so fascinated with the whole celibacy that society practically dictates that if you're not getting any, there's something wrong with you. Maybe there is or maybe there is such a fuss about sex in the general, you wonder what's so great about it in the first place. Of course, love makes the world of difference after all.