Product: Keeping the Faith (2000)
Rating: 3.0
A Guilty Pleasure
If you are home sick and have absolutely nothing else more pressing to do, "Keeping the Faith" is a nice little diversion for 2 hours.Ben Stiller is more or less Ben Stiller, with a few moments of actual minimal dramatic moments which he carries off quite well. Jenna Elfman is beautiful, lively, and has a long career ahead of her...on television. Ann Bancroft plays a less serious version of the same "Jewish Mother" she played opposite Harvey Fierstein in "Torch Song Trilogy", and she is absolutely adorable, as always. It was an added treat to see the brilliant director, Milos Foreman, grace the screen as the wise old mentor to the young priest played by Edward Norton. And as his counterpart at the Temple, Eli Wallach is charming as the soon-to-be retired Rabbi giving counsel to renegade Rabbi Jake. However, my favorite in this assorted pool of talent was Ron Rifkin, as the Temple President eager to boot Ben Stiller from the Bimah and Temple.Due to his immense talent, show-biz connections & charming personality Edward Norton was able to assemble a terrific cast for his directorial debut. And for a freshman filmmaker he did a good job...a solid B+. I have no doubt Mr. Norton will someday make other films and it will be fun to compare them to his debut in this comic romp.FYI: If you are looking for a serious discussion of religion, interfaith dating, etc., seek out a spiritual leader, or a library, not a romantic-comedy DVD.