KEEPING THE FAITH

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 2 out of 5

Because of: sexual content, language, thematic elements

Rated:

When I first heard about this film, I was certain that it would be yet another slur against the Catholic faith, but what I didn't expect was a touching and thought-provoking glimpse into the realities of friendship. Yes, the story is mostly a romance but at its heart explores decisions that change lives, and promote unity and compassion among people of different cultures.

Brian (Edward Norton) and Jake (Ben Stiller) have always been best friends. In grade school, a tough little girl named Anna came to their rescue from a bully, and the trio became as close as close could be. Then, Anna's father transferred to California and the last the boys saw of her was crying in the back window of the moving fan. In the years since, Brian and Jake have pursued their respective roles within their individual faiths. Brian is now a priest, and Jake's highest ambition is to become the head rabbi at his Jewish synagogue. Determined to prove that faith doesn't have to keep people apart, the boys have planned a joint sponsorship between the congregations to build a community center.

That's when the phone call comes. Anna is back in town, and wants to hook up with her childhood pals. No longer a sweet little girl in pigtails, Anna (Jenna Elfman) has become a tough-talking, multi-tasking businesswoman rapidly rising through the ranks of corporate life. Quiet, mild-mannered Brian loves having her around, while Jake is simply grateful for her support as he experiences the hellish attempts of his congregation to set him up with their unmarried daughters. Knowing he must get married before being promoted to the position of head rabbi, Jake enlists the help of his friends in finding the right girl, little knowing that he's about to fall for Anna, who has shaken Brian's emotions so much that he begins to wonder if life is a priest is his calling after all.

Bottom line: the movie is about two men in love with the same girl. It's difficult to talk about the outcome without revealing the film's subtle twists, but Brian experiences a mini crisis of faith and has a very heartfelt conversation with his superior. The older man says that numerous times he has experienced the notion of "falling in love," but remains a priest because he cannot imagine being anything else. This, he tells Brian, must define whether or not he should remain among the clergy. Though the friendship between the priest and the rabbi is torn apart, ultimately they come to an understanding and extend forgiveness to one another. Brian is a very good Christian most of the time, offering sage advice to anyone who seeks it, and showing compassion for the people around him. The one time he stumbles is in a moment of impassioned insanity when he alludes to the fact that if Anna had been willing, he would have left the priesthood for a night spent with her.

Jake is a little more difficult to like, both because I find his sexual promiscuity difficult to believe since he is a rabbi (mostly because he is never repentant of it, or called out on it by his elders) and the fact that he doesn't appear to take his faith more seriously than a political decision. What I did like about the film was its lack of cultural racism, in that the two congregations were able to interact without hatred. Both Brian and Jake are dedicated to bringing fun back into the services. Brian tends to deliver more heartfelt sermons about God and His all-encompassing love, but Jake makes some good points too. It was mostly because of their friendship, and Brian's journey, that I liked the film overall.

Unfortunately, there are some disappointing aspects. Most of Jake and Anna's relationship is based around sex, with the notion that they can have their non-serious summer fling and move on with their lives. Granted, they do ultimately fall in love but they took the wrong approach to it. There's nothing seriously graphic between them, but a montage of before and after shots filter through the main part of the production. Anna spies on a man and his secretary having sex in his office across the way several times; they are shown in positions meant to be funny. Brian has a dream about Anna that turns mildly sexual before he wakes up, then kisses her passionately a few days later. Demolished with the knowledge that Jake has been sleeping with Anna under his nose, Brian becomes intoxicated. Jake also introduces yoga to his congregation. There's also some profanity, including three or four abuses of Jesus' name.

To be honest, I thought it would be a lot worse and was surprised at how deep the central core was. But the sexual aspect makes it difficult to recommend.