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 & 5 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:

priest | rabbi | jewish | synagogue | celibacy | 

---

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:

17 State Street, Financial District, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,078,671, 16 April 2000, Wide Release

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

Stuart Blumberg (producer and writer of the film) appears in the movie as Len, a co-worker of Anna.

---

Goofs

During Jake's and Brian's slow-motion walk down the busy street, there is a man wearing glasses and a cream-colored jacket. As they approach, the man repeatedly jumps in front of/behind them between shots.

---

Quotes

Paulie Chopra: I would like to thank you for telling me that story.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Why?
Paulie Chopra: Because now I have heard it all, and I can retire.

---

Crazy Credits

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

---

Alternate Versions

Also included on the DVD is a Gag Reel, a long collection of outtakes featuring several bits of 'sermon' from Jakob, Anna stuttering and falling into the fountain at the museum, a rabbi and Jakob discussing how the 'director is god and the producer should kiss his ass' and 'the jew has to try out for SAG president', and Brian falling several times trying to catch his glass at the bar. Many of the finalized scenes these outtakes relate to also wound up as outtakes.

---

Connections

References Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

---

Soundtracks

Ein Keloheinu
Arranged by Aaron Wheeler

User Reviews

Oh-so-sweet

I really enjoyed this movie. I didn't expect much from this film, considering I didn't really know what it was about, but from the moment it started it caught my interest. The story of a rabbi and a priest being best friends just seemed so beautiful to me. There is no religious cracks in this movie and it shows how we all should accept one another's religions.

Then these friends are reunited with their 8th grade best friend, who comes back as a beautiful grown woman. There is an obvious immediate attraction from both guys to her. The only problem is that the rabbi can't be with her because she is not Jewish and the priest can't because he has taken an oath of celibacy. The good part about this movie besides the chemistry between all actors part of this film is that you don't know what will happen. It's not so predictable and you really feel for the actors which is rare these days. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet romance.