Rating: Summary: Wonderful Movie! Review: "Keeping the Faith" is a wonderful movie, which can be enjoyed many times. Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, and Jenna Elfman are perfect together in this romantic comedy, directed by Norton.Friendship, love, spontaneity, spirituality and fun mix with religion, tradition, duty, and ritual. How Stiller, a rabbi, Norton, an Irish Catholic priest, and Elfman, an Irish Catholic gal struggle to balance these is a joy. The supporting cast is terrific also, especially Anne Bancroft as Stiller's mom. It is brilliant how such serious issues can be dealt with in such a light hearted and comical way. The fine soundtrack also compliments the movie. One standout tune is "Heart of Mine," sung by Peter Salett at the end of the film. Being set in Manhattan, the film has additional appeal to anyone who has ever lived there.
Rating: Summary: Molodramatic, mopey dopey. Review: Another romantic comedy, staring Ben Stiller star of Mystery Men, Directed and co.-starring Edward Norton, and the love of both of their lives Jenna Elfman, of TV's Dharma & Gregg. Probably one of the funniest romantic comedies, great chemistry between everyone and a generally witty screenplay. Ben Stiller is a Rabbi, Edward Norton is a priest, and Jenna Elfman is a workaholic, long time friend of both of them. Ben and Edward have not seen Jenna in over 10 years and don't realize that she will be completely different. She is not a tough tom boy anymore, she is a grown up women. Finally they meet, and eventually they both figure out that they are in love with her, it just takes to much of the movie to find that out, and that is what is depressing. It does have a wildly funny, witty script, great chemistry, and good performances, but towards the end turns to Melodramatic, dopey and dumb. It can be funny, it can be cute, and it can be enjoyable, but some things can't save films, such as the fact that I believe that Jenna Elfman ends up with the wrong guy, and it is shocking to think that just that can ruin a movie, but it did, I have no interest in seeing it again because she ended up with the wrong guy. A complicated, mopey, dopey, melodramatic Jerry Springer sort of movie,, just you average love triangle film.
Rating: Summary: A refreshing movie about religion Review: Top to bottom this movie is very good. On its simplest level it is an Arthurian romance (all three characters care deeply about one another and form an odd and dysfunctional love triangle). On this level it is a comedy and a decent movie.
At a deeper level it talks about the priests vow of celebacy, a rabbi and a gentile relationship, and how profoundly faith enters the picture for two "young" men (and, indirectly, a young woman) looking for a relationship.
My favorite scenes in the whole movie were where the older "spiritual guides" come across as strong mentors rather than stick-in-the-mud characters.
Rabbi Lewis: I know, I know, you like to shake things up and that's good, but sometimes people need to feel led instead of pushed.
Older priest: That is my recruitment pitch. It makes you feel like a marine. The truth is that no matter what you do in life it is a choice, a choice you make every day. I've been a priest for over 40 years and have fallen in love at least once every decade.
These are all refreshing images in a culture increasingly hostile to these two ancient faiths. The characters actually grow and change, find out more about themselves and one another. About the meaning of friendship and honesty.
Rabbi Jake: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Do you hear what you are saying? You are complaining that I wasn't sensitive to the fact that my friend, A CATHOLIC PRIEST, might have a CRUSH on my SECRET GIRLFRIEND?!
Rating: Summary: Tame Ben Stiller Romantic Comedy Review: IF you like Ben Stiller but tend to think he goes over the top in most of his films, this may be a film for you. Even with such a cliched premise (so a priest and a rabbi are friends...), the characters came across as real people, so that I really got into the story. It's funny but sweet; it's a nice movie to watch while cuddled up with a loved one.
Rating: Summary: got to have faith Review: This is an excellent movie. It is one of the best romantic- comedy films. The chemistry between the three leads makes this a powerful story. Well written- a nice balance of drama and humor.
Rating: Summary: A priest, a rabbi and a girl named Anna Review: "Keeping the Faith" is Edward Norton's debut as a director and he is does a good job. The story starts out funny. Norton (a priest) sits in a bar telling a story to an Irish/Sikh/muslim/jewish bartender about how he and his best rabii-friend (Stiller) are fighting over a girl. Well, you have to see for yourself, it's funny. Jenna Elfman is so incredibly beautiful and funny in this movie, who wouldn't fall for her!? The end of the film is a little too serious to my taste, even though we could have known that something like this would happen. It gives a little dark edge to an otherwise fun movie.
Rating: Summary: Such potential... Review: This movie had so much potential. Especially with Edward Norton as the director, a great cast and an interesting and pertinant issue at hand. However, the movie turns into your normal, run of the mill romantic comedy once Jenna Elfman comes on the scene. Watch "You've Got Mail" or "Sleepless in Seattle" for much the same effect. There's a lot of really interesting issues that Norton neglects to explore in this film. Brian Finn, the priest, questions his calling to the priesthood and then writes it off. Elfman's character is totally ignorant of the challenges that come with leading a religious community. Rabbi Schram's (Stiller) relationship with Elfman is weak at best--all they ever do is have sex. Where's the spiritual side that he's craving? These are just some of the problems with the film. There are plenty more. If you're looking for a cheezy romantic commedy, this is the movie for you. If you're looking for someone taking issues of religious difference into the mainstream, read a book.
Rating: Summary: A funny, perky comedy Review: I find this movie to be very funny and lighthearted. Simply put its entertaining and thats what a comedy should be.
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