Keeping the Faith

Renews My Faith In Movies
Review by Nonia Bidness

After a couple of recent disappointments, this movie was a real treat. The hilarious previews did not prepare me for the actual goodness of this one! Some of the gags were not so fresh after the previews, like the hysterical moment when Ed Norton caught his robes on fire, but those were still humorous enough, and there was plenty more to laugh about. I didn’t expect to also be moved to tears several times, but I was touched by the story very early on.

The best part of this movie was its message, and it made big points with me on that score. The main male characters are lifelong friends who grew up to become leaders in the respective religions, Ben Stiller the rabbi and Ed Norton the priest, and, as adult friends, they are intent on demonstrating their faith in real ways and respecting each other’s choices. They tackle real human issues in real ways, charmingly and movingly so.

I had a bit of trouble with Ed Norton’s bleached hair job, but I guess these guys are supposed to be hip and modern, and indeed their styles of delivering sermons to their congregations were definitely in that vein. They were quite believable as people for whom faith is real and challenging and a part of every moment of life in a joyful way.

It was great to see Anne Bancroft in a role she could sink her teeth into and do such a wonderful job with, and Jenna Elfman was truly adorable and wonderful as the strong and powerful, lovable young woman that both guys fall for. Ben and Ed, well, they really worked together and each one did a terrific job.

This was a very uplifting way to spend an evening!

Nonia Bidness April 16^th, 2000