Keeping the Faith (2000)

Two friends, a priest and a rabbi, fall in love with the same woman they knew in their youth, but the religious position of both men denies them romance.

Director:

Edward Norton

Writer:

Stuart Blumberg

Stars:

Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, Jenna Elfman

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Stiller	...	Rabbi Jake Schram
Edward Norton	...	Father Brian Finn
Jenna Elfman	...	Anna Riley
Anne Bancroft	...	Ruth Schram
Eli Wallach	...	Rabbi Ben Lewis
Ron Rifkin	...	Larry Friedman
Milos Forman	...	Father Havel
Holland Taylor	...	Bonnie Rose
Lisa Edelstein	...	Ali Decker
Rena Sofer	...	Rachel Rose
Ken Leung	...	Don
Brian George	...	Paulie Chopra
Catherine Lloyd Burns	...	Debbie
Susie Essman	...	Ellen Friedman
Stuart Blumberg	...	Len

Storyline

Jake and Brian are friends. They are Jewish and Catholic respectively. They would grow up and become a rabbi and priest. Anna, whom they knew when they were younger, comes back to town a stunning woman. Jake is up to be the head of his synagogue but he is not married which doesn't make his appointment any easier. Jake finds himself attracted to Anna but because she's not Jewish, he can't marry her as it would make his appointment less likely. Brian also finds himself attracted to Anna, but the priesthood doesn't allow that. Their friendship is strained when each learns of the other's feelings for her.

---

Plot Keywords:

love triangle | bad date | priest | rabbi | jewish | 

---

Taglines:

If you have to believe in something, you might as well believe in love.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew Spanish

Release Date:

14 April 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Divinas tentaciones

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,078,671, 16 April 2000

Gross USA:

$37,047,880

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$59,945,183

Company Credits

Production Co:

Spyglass Entertainment, Touchstone Pictures, Triple Threat Talent

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Edward Norton was previously directed by Milos Forman in The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996). In return, Forman appears as an actor in this film directed by Norton.

---

Goofs

During the conversation between Jake and Brian, after the fight in the synagogue, the camera is on Jake's face from behind Brian's shoulder at one point. You can clearly see that he is not talking, and yet we hear Brian's voice.

---

Quotes

Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: What could possibly be holding you back at this point?

---

Crazy Credits

Thank-yous include one to "Salmita Bonita", a reference to actor-director 'Edward Norton''s girlfriend, actress Salma Hayek.

---

Alternate Versions

The UK distributor (Buena Vista Home Entertainment) chose to remove 19 seconds of footage to classify the DVD for a "12" rating instead of a "15" rating. Cut weren't scenes from the film but from the outtakes due to inappropriate language for a "12" rating.

---

Connections

Referenced in At the Still Point (2005)

---

Soundtracks

Pitseleh
Written and Performed by Elliott Smith

User Reviews

An hour of comedy falls apart in the second half

"Keeping the Faith" as an adult romantic comedy works well. Norton's timing, both as a director and as an actor are magnificent, and Stiller and Elfman add to this shining cast. The approach to religion in a mainstream film is a new one for me at least with deference being paid to each of the respective character's, and the jokes are basically laughing with the religion, rather than at it. The inner struggles that each man faces with his own religion and the woman that threatens to tear apart their religious selves are the most interesting aspects of the film.

The first half is a comedic gem, a laugh-barrage, that completely changes once sex is introduced. It loses focus, changing its story into that of a failing friendship and blossoming love interspersed with awkward and frankly embarrassing moments of comedy. For those who have seen it I refer to the "touchy-feely confession" joke.

At over two hours, it's way too long for a comedy, and it definitely feels it. It's a good film, but by no means can it be considered great. See it to laugh for an hour if you don't mind chuckling and fidgeting in your seat for the second hour.