Rating: Summary: 1 word = awesome Review: The next time you feel totally hopeless and sad over the endless stream of bad, unfunny comedies and pathetic, unmoving romances I suggest you watch Keeping the Faith. It'll put a smile on your face, a tear in your eye, and hope for the future of movies back in your heart.In short, this movie is awesome. It is a superb blend of side-splitting laughs, happy ending romance, and good old-fashioned priest-rabbi jokes. The script is probably one of the best things to come out of the romantic comedy genre in a while, and impressively enough is not resigned to basing all of its jokes solely on the priest-rabbi thing. From physical scenes to straight dialogue this movie never stops delivering the good times. But it is not strictly punch line after punch line - amongst all of this humor there is a genuine story of friendship, family, love, humanity and yes! even religion. And, unlike so many movies today, there is actual character development and an ability to become attached to those characters. Of course, a lot of the attachment you have to the people on the screen is due to the awesome people who portray those characters. Ben Stiller and Edward Norton were the PERFECT picks for the lead roles of rabbi and priest, respectively. They worked together ingeniously, playing off one another in the most amusing and remarkable manner. Jenna Elfman played Anna beautifully, and is so totally adorable and endearing that even if you want to hate her because she is so beautiful, you can't. She's a great comic, and holds her own against Ben Stiller who I personally think is one of the funniest kids around. I'm willing to bet the farm that a good deal of the scenese between any combination of these three was filled with improvisation (such as the scene where Norton drifts into a Dustin-Hoffman-as-Rainman manner of speaking, just for kicks). The three are fabulous together. My highest suggestion - don't miss this movie. See it, rent it, buy it....whatever. But chances are you haven't seen anything this good in a while, and won't again very soon.
Rating: Summary: Jenna Elfman, ooooooh Review: The story is good and funny, and the filming looks wonderful. Do NOT miss the extras on the DVD, especially the scene with Anna (Jenna Elfman) and her vibrating cell phone. It is definitely one of the funniest and sexiest scenes I have seen in a long while.
Rating: Summary: Funny, impressive directoral debut Review: It's clear Edward Norton was getting a little fed up -- and probably a little worried -- with Hollywood's insistence so far of pegging him as a psycho, weirdo, thief, whathavyou. Here he takes matters into his own hands and directs a movie HE wanted to do. He surprised me yet again with a solid and likable performance as a young priest with an understandable crush on Jenna Elfman, who in turn is in love with his best friend, a Rabbi. Funny & Recommended.
Rating: Summary: great religious story Review: i thought this was a great effort by edward norton as a director. i especially loved the religious implications involved with the priest and the rabbi and the worldly woman. it was well done to show that men of two different religions could be pals, even of two religions that have fought each other previously. it is possible to be friends and have different religious beliefs.
Rating: Summary: Romantic comedy...but not enough comedy Review: Edward Norton, Ben STiller, and Jenna Elfman star in this attempt at a romantic comedy that takes itself a little to seriously. Considering the topic of Religion that comes up, it's hard for there not to be some seriousness. The three of them are friends growing up together, and when they are in 8th grade, Anna(elfman) moves away to California. Jake(Stiller) and Brian(Norton, who is also the director of the film as well) remain close friends that grow up to dedicate themselves to their religion. Brian is a priest. Jake, a rabbi. Then, Anna comes back into their lives. At this point, I knew romance would enter between two of them at some point. THe chemistry between Stiller and Elfman was great. The film wasn't bad, it certainly wasn't great by any means. There was way too much time between the laughs in the film. In my opinion, I think Ben Stiller is the glue of this film. If it had been someone else playing his character, I don't think I could've stayed interested in it. Not only does romance enter, but also the whole religion issue(there has to be some conflict, right)Jake being a jewish Rabbi, being in love with Anna, who isn't jewish. The film does make you think about faith and where our faith lies. The secondary cast, which includes director Milos Forman, Anne Bancroft, who I thought was perfect as the jewish mother, and Eli Wallach, is a great addition to the film. It really was a cute story, and It has a happy ending. If you are expecting to laugh all the way through, you may be a little disappointed. Otherwise, it is a good rental.
Rating: Summary: Ed Norton - Stick to dramatic acting Review: This film is embarassing. I have liked everything Stiller and Norton have done individually but man this film is bad. Promoted as a comedy, there are very few funny moments other than what you see in the trailer. The rest is a confused badly paced romance that never has any tension. The fact that these guys are supposed to be clergy is laughable. There is no chemistry between Stiller and Elfman and Norton's direction is obviously saved by editors.
Rating: Summary: At last! Review: At last a film which breaks the mould of slapstick comedy. I thoroughly enjoyed this film because of its simplicity and directness. It thrives on the performance of Jenna Elfman who is stunning as Anna, a ruthless business woman who is inseparable from her mobile phone. Ben Stiller is as funny as usual whilst Ed Norton shows us once again his incredible range as an actor. Some of the shots of New York are a joy to behold (particularly at night). Obviously, it won't rank among the greatest films ever but it has an indelible charm and will appeal to all generations. The extra's on the DVD are quite good, keep an eye on the deleted scene 'Anna and her phone' which is hilarious. Anne Bancroft as Jake's (Ben Stiller) mother plays the role to perfection. It was clear that everyone who took part in this film enjoyed acting in it as i did watching it. ps: great to watch with your girlfriend
Rating: Summary: Brilliant!! Review: It would appear that this movie would be another cheesy chick flick (I mean really: A comedy about love between a priest, a rabbi, and a business woman!) Well, it wasn't. Very clever directing by Norton himself. Very involving plot keeps the viewer in the story. And lets not forget....JENNA ELFMAN is smoking! Definitely a wining choice!
Rating: Summary: Good Evening's Entertainment At Home Review: This is a pleasant, good movie that you will enjoy but it is hardly a knockout. Both Norton and Stiller have done better movies but they are both likable and funny in this romantic comedy triangle over their childhood girl friend. I've never seen Jenna Elfman before and she's cute as the romantic interest for both men, who just happen to be the hippest religious leaders in town. Norton is a priest and Stiller is a rabbi and they've been friends since childhood. This may have been funnier if Norton has been an Episcopalian or a Unitarian, giving him the opportunity to push his character further romantically. Norton's being a Catholic priest instead puts some real restraints on the role. Norton did a good directing job. Probably because he spent most of his time directing, his acting job needs only about ten percent of his talent in this light piece. I prefer him as an actor in films like the much weightier "Fight Club." This is a perfect vehicle for Stiller though and he probably has a long career ahead in playing romantic comedy leads similar to this one.
Rating: Summary: I love the film, but what does this "BANANA" mean? Review: It was a great thing to see the film at Tokyo Film Festival and see the "real" Ed Norton, who came to the festival for promotion of the film! After the screening, he participated in Q & A session, where audiences were free to ask him questions about the film. I found the film plot well designed and eleborated, and thought Ed Norton did a good job as a director. The film well presented the mojor theme-- the difficulties of love between man and woman with different religeous beliefs and of understanding and acceptance of different thoughts and practice of religeons. At the Q & A session at the film festival, many of my questions concerning the film became solved, but here is one more thing that I want to know: "What is this "BANANA" about?" This might be simply because of the language problem, but could anybody give me an answer?
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