Product: Keeping the Faith (2000)
Rating: 4.0
Good Evening's Entertainment At Home
This is a pleasant, good movie that you will enjoy but it is hardly a knockout. Both Norton and Stiller have done better movies but they are both likable and funny in this romantic comedy triangle over their childhood girl friend. I've never seen Jenna Elfman before and she's cute as the romantic interest for both men, who just happen to be the hippest religious leaders in town. Norton is a priest and Stiller is a rabbi and they've been friends since childhood. This may have been funnier if Norton has been an Episcopalian or a Unitarian, giving him the opportunity to push his character further romantically. Norton's being a Catholic priest instead puts some real restraints on the role. Norton did a good directing job. Probably because he spent most of his time directing, his acting job needs only about ten percent of his talent in this light piece. I prefer him as an actor in films like the much weightier "Fight Club." This is a perfect vehicle for Stiller though and he probably has a long career ahead in playing romantic comedy leads similar to this one.