littlewillow's "Keeping the Faith" page

Keeping the Faith - directed by Edward Norton, 2000

I felt like making this page because it's been a while since I've seen a really, really, really good movie. And honestly I was so surprised at how good the film came together. Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman are perpetually great funny actors. As Jake Schram (the rabbi) and Anna Reilly (the female friend of long ago), respectively, they fit their characters perfectly. A problem with many comedies is that the humor is forced - and you do not get that feeling with this movie. Each actor and actress plays their role deftly, is funny when they're supposed to be funny, and is serious when they're supposed to be serious. Just the perfect blend of witty comedic repartee with real emotional issues.

This is a light-hearted, winsome film, highlighting the great acting ability of Ben Stiller (of the smash hit "There's Something About Mary") and Jenna Elfman (probably best known as Dharma in ABC's "Dharma and Greg"). Even more impressive is Edward Norton, who proves yet again his versatility as an actor (who finished the controversial film "Fight Club" prior to working on "Keeping the Faith").

The film is called "Keeping the Faith" for two reasons - having faith in a higher power (religion) and having faith in the people you love. The film is set in the diverse Upper West Side of New York City. Ben Stiller and Edward Norton play Jake Schram and Brian Finn, best friends since childhood. When they were in junior high, they had another good (girl) friend - Anna Reilly - the best of friends with both of them, but sadly moved to California before high school. The boys have forgotten of their childhood friend, and find their calling. By becoming men of the cloth. Jake becomes a rabbi - of unconventional means though his congregation loves his unconventional ways. Brian becomes a Catholic priest, and like Jake, has devoted followers at all of his sermons. Rather laughingly they call themselves "the God Squad" and want to take their stuffy religions into the 21st century by injecting them with today's relevance. (One of the joint activities they wish to see to come to fruition is a interfaith seniors' center complete with coffee bar and karaoke dance floor.) They reach their 30s, without significant others - Brian by religious choice, Jake somewhat by accident (he hasn't met the woman of his dreams yet). One day in their middle-aged lives, Anna calls Brian to inform him - she's coming back to New York to work, and she wants to meet up "her boys." Only the Anna that Brian remembers as being "the magical blend of Jonny Quest and Tatum O'Neal in Foxes" has all but grown up into a beautiful yet powerful businesswoman whose best friend is her cell phone.

the Three Musketeers

photo from People Magazine However, I have not gotten to the person who I feel had affected me so deeply, so much that I was compelled to make this site. Two words. Edward Norton. The man's acting is brilliant. He is a gifted, gifted individual. And for one person to have that much talent for acting, and be able to branch out into directing and producing...I'm like, "wow!" I previously saw him as the tortured Aaron Stampler in "Primal Fear" and thought he was excellent in that film - obviously a dramatic role. And I wondered how he would take to a comedy - since not all actors can easily make the transition between genres of film. But Norton has the classiness of a modern-day Jimmy Stewart, the schoolboy charm of the boy-next-door, and can act like...well, nobody's business. Actors may come and go but I have a feeling that Edward Norton is going to be around, making great films for a long time to come. Visit my Edward Norton appreciation site. Only he could make me cry tears of emotion at a comedy!

Film synopsis (by Touchstone Pictures)
Best friends since they were kids, Rabbi Jacob Schram (Ben Stiller) and Father Brian Finn (Edward Norton) are dynamic and popular young men living and working on New York's Upper West Side. When Anna Reilly (Jenna Elfman), once their childhood friend and now grown into a beautiful corporate executive, suddenly returns to the city, she reenters Jake and Brian's lives and hearts with a vengeance. Sparks fly and an unusual and complicated love triangle ensues. Jake and Brian fight over Anna's suitcase

Film capsule (Desson Howe, The Washington Post, Weekend, 04/14/00)
**KEEPING THE FAITH (PG-13, 129 minutes) -- In this romantic comedy triangle, the lively Anna (Jenna Elfman) must choose between two men, childhood friends who have since become holy men. Brian (Edward Norton, who also directs) is a Catholic priest sworn to celibacy. And Jake Schram (Ben Stiller) is a rabbi, who can date anyone he wants, as long as she's Jewish. Anna's Irish-American. Scriptwriter Scriptwriter Stuart Blumberg's story moves crisply, the performers are likable, and those one-liners keep on coming. Stiller's definitely the comic MVP, whether he's psyching up a kid whose voice is breaking to sing at his bar Mitzvah or desperately trying to get away from a scary date called Ellen (Susie Essman). And Elfman is a perfect burst of sunshine, whose cheery presence is easily enough to justify two men fighting each other for her favor. Contains some strong language and sexual situations that might have merited an R rating if the characters had been French. Area theaters.

**The pictures on this page are taken from the Touchstone Pictures' official site, and this site is designed to be a fan site, merely for enjoyment and promotion of the film.
Film capsule by Desson Howe reprinted here for informational purposes only, and is reprinted without permission.

KTF Page Site Index
viewing history - how many times, and where I have seen "Keeping the Faith" so far
memorable quotes - some of the wittiest sayings from the movie
unforgettable scenes - the characters of KTF in key moments of the film
next page to go on to more about "Keeping the Faith." I am trying to make the pages free of plot spoilers, but you have been forewarned. Go here if you want to relive your "Keeping the Faith" experience, or if you don't plan to see the movie (and you want to see what all the fuss is about).

Reviews, criticism, and other links
Upcomingmovies.com - by Greg Dean Schmitz
Washington Post - by Stephen Hunter
Washington Post - by Desson Howe
IMDb main page on the film
MOVIEWEB: Keeping the Faith - includes b&w press publicity photos
IMDb trailer page - RealVideo (extension .smi) format
IMDb movie references page - can you recall *all* of these?

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