Keeping the Faith: Review By moviegeek

Keeping the Faith is sweet little movie with occasional moments where a great movie peeks out. But the movie is rather safe about the material, making this a light, enjoyable romantic-comedy.

Jake (Ben Stiller) is a upbeat, energetic Rabbi for his congregation. His long-time best friend, Brian (Edward Norton), is a fun priest for his respective church. They both have fond childhood memories of Anna (Jenna Elfman), the one girl that ever fully accepted them. Things become shaken up when Anna returns, and both men think that she loves them. Jake, a Rabbi, is forbidden to marry outside of his religion. Brian, the priest, is celibate.

Oddly enough, I thought this movie would be rather tedious in its drama, but, surprisingly enough, this is a fresh and amusing movie, full of in-jokes and broad humor alike. The take on the romantic triangle seems more current because of the religious restrictions they both face.

Jenna Elfman, whose name I never recognized before this picture, is quite good here. She delivers some key emotional speeches with great sincerity. I do, however, find her to be a bit bland, especially in a role where men are fighting for her. She just doesn't seem all that interesting.

Ben Stiller is perfectly cast. He has a great ability to not steal the comedic show and let those around him shine as well. He plays a passive gentlemen with shifty beliefs, and he does wonders for the role. Edward Norton seems miscast here. I like it when he plays a serious or mysterious character. I think he can pull it off. But here, when he does verbal riffs or slapstick gags, he seems awkward.

He also directed this movie, which I think he does a better job of here. It moves along nicely. It never really meanders. Keeping the Faith has its moments of conflict and sincerity between the characters and its moments of sweetness and hilarity.

Our picture strays a bit in the end from the witty take on religion to just a typical rom-com where the best guy has to chase down the girl before her flight leaves. I think the conflict of this movie, though touched on during one of Anna's speeches to Jake, is NOT the girl. It is their faith. It's their upbringing and how much they treasure and practice what it is they preach and believe. I would have loved to see a movie that tackled these issues for directly and blatantly instead of grazing over the issues.

But Keeping the Faith is harmless and enjoyable. There isn't really anything to criticize heavily. I was wanting something more filling rather than just a light snack. But romantic comedies are rarely as fresh and fun to watch as this one. It's good and sweet, no more, no less.