Product: Keeping the Faith (2000)
Rating: 3.0
ok romantic comedy
Ben Stiller and Ed Norton star as a rabbi and priest who are reunited with their friend from junior high school, a high-powered, workaholic businesswoman played by Jenna Elfman. I thought Norton and Stiller had good chemistry and were believable as life-long friends. I thought the early scenes in which a Jew and Christian become interested in each other's faith interesting. I just wished this would have been developed more throughout the film.When Elfman's character comes into the picture, she throws her two male friends' lives for a loop. Stiller is a rabbi who is being pressured to meet and marry a nice Jewish girl, and Norton is a priest who must live a life of celibacy. Both men lust for Elfman. Stiller, who begins secretly dating Elfman, is afraid his synagogue and his congregation and family will find out that he is involved with a non-Jew. Norton contemplates violating his celibacy vows so he can be with Elfman.My problem is that these two men swoon so much over Elfman. She is attractive but not a stunning head-turner. She's not a great actress, either, and belongs on TV. I thought another actress, maybe Cameron Diaz, might have been better in the role.Also, it's obvious that Elfman and Stiller are in LUST, not love, as they seem to spend a lot of their time in bed with each other. Their relationship is shallow. Stiller's character, who has a history of having flings with women, seemed a bit shallow himself. Norton's character seemed a bit deeper. Another problem is that Stiller and Elfman have no real chemistry together. Elfman seemed to have more chemistry with Norton, actually.I also think the love triangle could have used more tension, too. Elfman flirts with Norton, but once she gets involved with Stiller, she seems to treat him more like a brother. It would have complicated things more if maybe Elfman had some genuine feelings for Norton as well and then he could have very real inner turmoil about his chastity vows.Of course, everything ends up very nice and neat and predictably, but I thought Elfman chose the wrong guy and I doubt their shallow relationship will last after the movie is over. Overall, this is an enjoyable piece of fluff if you are in the mood for a romantic comedy.