Despite my complete obsession with Edward Norton, and my generally ambivalent, though generally benevolent feelings toward Ben Stiller, I really thought I was going to hate this film, because of two words: Jenna Elfman. Jenna Elfman, one of the banes of my existence for her "oh so quirky perky" characters, but mostly because she asserted once that AIDS victims were suffering needlessly because the disease was "all in their minds", is an actress that I try to stay from for many reasons, at all costs. Unfortunately my parents didn't get my memo regarding this subject because they not only recommended this film, but shoved the DVD in my hands on a recent visit and sent me home to watch it.
Surprisingly, neither the film nor Jenna Elfman was annoying. Approximately twenty years ago, Brian (Norton) and Jake (Stiller) became close friends with Anna (Elfman) when she stood up to a bully for them. Her family inevitably moves from New York to California the following year, and they don't see one another until Anna calls Brian, now a Catholic priest, to tell him that she is coming into town and wants to get together with he and Jake, now a Rabbi. The two friends, known colloquially as the "God Squad" grew even closer over the years after Anna's departure and managed to bring new ideas and unconventionality to their respective positions, make them two of the most popular "holy guys" in their neighborhoods. Jake is being pressured to date and find a wife because there has never been a head Rabbi in his congregation that was single, so he has to endure endless set-ups by congregation members and their daughters. This all changes when Anna returns and she and Jake begin a secret relationship, no strings attached. Unfortunately their feelings for one another become very strong and Jake must cope with the reality of his position and the effect that an interfaith relationship could have on his congregation. In the meantime, Brian has been developing feelings for Anna himself and, not knowing about the secret relationship going on under his nose, starts to question his own faith and position, wondering if he should chuck it all for the chance of a secular life with Anna.
"Keeping the Faith" is Edward Norton's directorial debut, a rather curious notion because I would have expected something a little less conventional and heart-warming than this film turned out to be. This is not to say that he didn't do a good job; he did there weren't any obvious pacing issues and he was able to capitalize on the obvious chemistry the three of them shared. Unfortunately, perhaps because of his dual role as director, or perhaps it was completely intentional and in the script, his role is billed as a main character, but he racks up a lot less screen time than the other two principals. Certainly this is a minor quibble with the overall film. All of the performances were good (particularly that of Anne Bancroft, who has a small but pivotal role as Jake's mother), but nothing dynamic. Frankly, however, going into this film I would have settled for "not annoying", so it worked for me.
After watching "Keeping the Faith" I felt like I had eaten a tuna melt on white bread; it tasted okay, but it could have been so much better if it had just been on some hearty rye. The general idea behind and execution of "Keeping the Faith" was okay, but I was left wanting more. Whether that is possible with this material is something that I'm not sure of, but I AM certain of one thing; I may not be a religious person, but I was thanking my lucky stars that the role of Anna was not played by Meg Ryan. Hell, I should award the film one extra point for this fact alone, so I'll just round up my true assessment of 5 ½ stars and give it a deserved 6/10.
--Shelly
Surprisingly, neither the film nor Jenna Elfman was annoying. Approximately twenty years ago, Brian (Norton) and Jake (Stiller) became close friends with Anna (Elfman) when she stood up to a bully for them. Her family inevitably moves from New York to California the following year, and they don't see one another until Anna calls Brian, now a Catholic priest, to tell him that she is coming into town and wants to get together with he and Jake, now a Rabbi. The two friends, known colloquially as the "God Squad" grew even closer over the years after Anna's departure and managed to bring new ideas and unconventionality to their respective positions, make them two of the most popular "holy guys" in their neighborhoods. Jake is being pressured to date and find a wife because there has never been a head Rabbi in his congregation that was single, so he has to endure endless set-ups by congregation members and their daughters. This all changes when Anna returns and she and Jake begin a secret relationship, no strings attached. Unfortunately their feelings for one another become very strong and Jake must cope with the reality of his position and the effect that an interfaith relationship could have on his congregation. In the meantime, Brian has been developing feelings for Anna himself and, not knowing about the secret relationship going on under his nose, starts to question his own faith and position, wondering if he should chuck it all for the chance of a secular life with Anna.
"Keeping the Faith" is Edward Norton's directorial debut, a rather curious notion because I would have expected something a little less conventional and heart-warming than this film turned out to be. This is not to say that he didn't do a good job; he did there weren't any obvious pacing issues and he was able to capitalize on the obvious chemistry the three of them shared. Unfortunately, perhaps because of his dual role as director, or perhaps it was completely intentional and in the script, his role is billed as a main character, but he racks up a lot less screen time than the other two principals. Certainly this is a minor quibble with the overall film. All of the performances were good (particularly that of Anne Bancroft, who has a small but pivotal role as Jake's mother), but nothing dynamic. Frankly, however, going into this film I would have settled for "not annoying", so it worked for me.
After watching "Keeping the Faith" I felt like I had eaten a tuna melt on white bread; it tasted okay, but it could have been so much better if it had just been on some hearty rye. The general idea behind and execution of "Keeping the Faith" was okay, but I was left wanting more. Whether that is possible with this material is something that I'm not sure of, but I AM certain of one thing; I may not be a religious person, but I was thanking my lucky stars that the role of Anna was not played by Meg Ryan. Hell, I should award the film one extra point for this fact alone, so I'll just round up my true assessment of 5 ½ stars and give it a deserved 6/10.
--Shelly