ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Skyler Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Irishchatter When I looked at this film, I thought it was really gonna be a very funny movie with well known actors Ben stiller and Jenna Elfman. I don't know Edward Norton well but I heard of him.Anyways this story involves these two guys who are priests falls in love with their childhood friend Anna Riley. I swear to god, I found her voice very annoying and too saucy, Jenna Elfman didn't disappoint me with the Looney Tunes Back in action movie in my childhood but she did with this film. I mean shes a great actress but what is the point in putting on a fake manly voice throughout the film. It really made the film pretty dull and boring for me to even look through the film.The whole movie is just awful!

gimlet_eye For once I have nothing to add, or take issue with - either with the best reviews here, or with the movie itself. This film is a gem, and Edward Norton, perhaps the most talented actor of our generation, turns out to be a genius of a filmmaker as well. But everyone involved with this film deserves praise, starting with the other leads, Stiller and Elfman, backed up as they are by solid performances by the other actors.I rarely rate any movie as high as 8, but the only reason I don't give this one a 10 is that it makes no pretense of being anything more than it is: a true romantic comedy, with neither aspect slighted, and with a satisfying feel good resolution that manages to dodge most of the trite clichés of the genre.The only thing I take issue with is the gross under-rating of this movie by those who can't see beneath the surface humor to the love, the artistry, and the good feeling with which it was put together.

Turfseer Can you imagine a scenario where you have two guys and a girl who were childhood friends and when they grow up, the two males become a priest and a rabbi and then fight over the woman? This is essentially the absurd premise of the long forgotten 2000 rom-com, 'Keeping the Faith'.The rabbi, Jake Schram, is played by Ben Stiller. He's a progressive in a conservative synagogue, getting into trouble with the temple elders by bringing in a black gospel choir who sing the popular Jewish hymn, Ein Keloheinu. Screenwriter Stuart Blumberg attempts to elicit laughs by depicting Jake's failed dating life (he dates a neurotic nymphomaniac who is a big turn-off).When Anna, returns to NYC after many years on the West Coast, a rivalry develops between Jake and his old friend, Brian Finn, now a Catholic priest, over their childhood girlfriend. Jenna Elfman, has nothing much to do in the role of Anna, except acting as 'eye candy' for the rival men of faith.Ed Norton (who also directed), is saddled by a script that knows much less about Catholics than Jews. Brian ends up mistakenly believing that Anna has the hots for him, and not Brian, who she really has fallen in love with. In an uncomfortable scene, Brian confronts Anna, and ends up humiliated when she rejects him. He takes it a step further in a reversion to early adolescence, by slugging Jake in the face. The rest of the silly plot focuses on Jake attempting to prevent his Congregation from learning that he's been dating a 'Shiksa' and dealing with his mother (Anne Bancroft), who initially is unable to tolerate the idea of her son, hooking up with a gentile.All's well that ends well, when Jake and Brian reconcile and Anna is now taking lessons to convert to Judaism. 'Keeping the Faith' fails mainly because Anna is mainly there as a forgettable love interest, Jake's obsession with her is one-note and Brian's fall from grace, simply doesn't jibe with the reality of the majority who answer to the priest's calling.For those interested in the evolution of screenwriter Blumberg's writing career, this is a good film to see. Blumberg did go on to co-write the commendable 'The Kids Are Alright'. Also 'Keeping the Faith' features performances by the great veterans, Anne Bancroft and Eli Wallach, now both deceased. 'Keeping the Faith' can be best described as both sentimental and not funny. DVD copies are likely to be found in your nearest remainder bin. Watch it at your own peril!

RNMorton Norton and Stiller are clergy (a priest and a rabbi, sounds like the start of a joke), Elfman is their friend who is secretly dating Stiller and who is secretly loved by Norton. What I think is most exceptional about this movie is the way it portrays these clergy as cool guys - I mean, there's really cool clergy just like there's really cool fireman and loggers and truck drivers. And it does so in a way that doesn't entirely compromise their faith, although some of the stuff Norton says or does is not quite right (and for the moment I'm not talking about his attraction to Elfman). I am also a huge Elfman fan, I think she's beautiful as well as extremely effective in her roles. Seeing this film made me wonder if Ben would be better served by serious roles more often, he's very effective and avoids the silliness and gross humor that can sometimes sabotage his comic performances. Nice supporting work by Bancroft and the always appreciated Wallach. Recommended for light entertainment.