alexdeleonfilm REVIEW of "KEEPING THE FAITH " at KARLOVY VARY, 2000. Directed by and starring Ed Norton, his behind the camera debut at age 29. With Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman, Eli Wallach, and Ann Bancroft. Ann odd triangle between and among a young Catholic priest (Norton) a young rabbi (Stiller), and a drop-dead beautiful trim blonde Shicksa. This is a mildly amusing romantic comedy set in New York with lots of Jewish shtik and shtiklach. Stiller plays the mod rabbi with the tenacity of a Kosher Apeman, Italian-American Ann Bancroft as the mother is Jewish-motherly convincing, and Jewish Czech director, Milos Forman, does a cameo as an elder of Catholic church, while Eli Wallach, in a radical departure from the villain roles which made him famous in Spaghetti westerns, is an elder of the synagogue. Ed, the priest, should have won the girl but his vows of chastity rule that out. In the end, after many misunderstandings, she's all set to convert to Judaism and live happily ever after as the rabbi's future wife. Elfman is a real discovery and should soon become a leading presence in American mainstream flicks. she has the pristine purity of a Doris Day with a nineties awareness and style, all hung on a perfectly fitnessed framework: After all, she's a classically trained ballerina. Altogether this is an appealing if cliché-ridden feel-good flick with a strong theme-message of unself-conscious interfaith interaction, although some strictly Orthodox "frimme leute" may not care too much for the idea of a rabbi about to marry a Shicksa no matter how "shein" and lovable she might be. Ed Norton, who played in Forman's "The People versus Larry Flynt" is a special guest of the fest as is Eli Wallach. Mr. Wallach, a veteran of over 100 movies in a long and brilliant career and still active at 85, added a bit of living film history to the current festival and was roundly applauded by a spellbound collection of local media, newsmen, and film critics. Alex, Karlovy Vary, Thursday, July 6. 2000

SnoopyStyle In NYC, Rabbi Jake Schram (Ben Stiller) and Father Brian Finn (Edward Norton) are best friends since childhood. This God Squad breathes new life into their old worlds. Childhood friend Anna Riley (Jenna Elfman) returns to town and they are immediately taken by her. They were inseparable best friends until her family moved to California after eighth grade. She's now a high powered corporate fixer without any time for romance. She and Jake start dating secretly while Brian has feelings for her despite his vows.This is a different kind of rom-com love triangle. The religious aspects are unusual and good fodder for humor. The best are the lovable characters. There is no villain. It's no surprise that Stiller is funny but so is Norton. Elfman is a gem. She's sassy and lovely. It's obvious why both guys are in love with her. She's the whole package. Their friendship is natural and I love these characters.

Turfseer Can you imagine a scenario where you have two guys and a girl who were childhood friends and when they grow up, the two males become a priest and a rabbi and then fight over the woman? This is essentially the absurd premise of the long forgotten 2000 rom-com, 'Keeping the Faith'.The rabbi, Jake Schram, is played by Ben Stiller. He's a progressive in a conservative synagogue, getting into trouble with the temple elders by bringing in a black gospel choir who sing the popular Jewish hymn, Ein Keloheinu. Screenwriter Stuart Blumberg attempts to elicit laughs by depicting Jake's failed dating life (he dates a neurotic nymphomaniac who is a big turn-off).When Anna, returns to NYC after many years on the West Coast, a rivalry develops between Jake and his old friend, Brian Finn, now a Catholic priest, over their childhood girlfriend. Jenna Elfman, has nothing much to do in the role of Anna, except acting as 'eye candy' for the rival men of faith.Ed Norton (who also directed), is saddled by a script that knows much less about Catholics than Jews. Brian ends up mistakenly believing that Anna has the hots for him, and not Brian, who she really has fallen in love with. In an uncomfortable scene, Brian confronts Anna, and ends up humiliated when she rejects him. He takes it a step further in a reversion to early adolescence, by slugging Jake in the face. The rest of the silly plot focuses on Jake attempting to prevent his Congregation from learning that he's been dating a 'Shiksa' and dealing with his mother (Anne Bancroft), who initially is unable to tolerate the idea of her son, hooking up with a gentile.All's well that ends well, when Jake and Brian reconcile and Anna is now taking lessons to convert to Judaism. 'Keeping the Faith' fails mainly because Anna is mainly there as a forgettable love interest, Jake's obsession with her is one-note and Brian's fall from grace, simply doesn't jibe with the reality of the majority who answer to the priest's calling.For those interested in the evolution of screenwriter Blumberg's writing career, this is a good film to see. Blumberg did go on to co-write the commendable 'The Kids Are Alright'. Also 'Keeping the Faith' features performances by the great veterans, Anne Bancroft and Eli Wallach, now both deceased. 'Keeping the Faith' can be best described as both sentimental and not funny. DVD copies are likely to be found in your nearest remainder bin. Watch it at your own peril!

RNMorton Norton and Stiller are clergy (a priest and a rabbi, sounds like the start of a joke), Elfman is their friend who is secretly dating Stiller and who is secretly loved by Norton. What I think is most exceptional about this movie is the way it portrays these clergy as cool guys - I mean, there's really cool clergy just like there's really cool fireman and loggers and truck drivers. And it does so in a way that doesn't entirely compromise their faith, although some of the stuff Norton says or does is not quite right (and for the moment I'm not talking about his attraction to Elfman). I am also a huge Elfman fan, I think she's beautiful as well as extremely effective in her roles. Seeing this film made me wonder if Ben would be better served by serious roles more often, he's very effective and avoids the silliness and gross humor that can sometimes sabotage his comic performances. Nice supporting work by Bancroft and the always appreciated Wallach. Recommended for light entertainment.