Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman and Edward Norton in "Keeping the Faith."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: Edward Norton, Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman Director: Edward Norton Rated: PG-13, with profanity and innuendo Length: 129 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(April 13, 2000) -- Versatile young actor Edward Norton has developed a strong reputation for mercurial roles with the dark dramas American History X, Primal Fear and Fight Club.

But "strong reputation" can quickly turn to typecasting. Perhaps that's why he has chosen to make his directorial debut with material 180 degrees removed from most of his earlier films.

Norton is the director and co-star of Keeping the Faith, a fluffy, light-hearted comedy about religion and ethnic traditions in contemporary Manhattan and romance among old friends.

Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman and Norton co-star as Jake, Anna and Brian, a threesome whose friendship goes back to middle school. Jake is now a rabbi and Brian a priest in Manhattan. Both are threatening to overturn their respective congregations with their modern ideas and passionate idealism.

The film focuses on what happens when Anna -- now a high-powered, West Coast corporate executive -- returns to New York on business and reunites with her old friends. Both men find themselves romantically drawn to Anna. It's an obvious problem for the celibate Brian, but also a difficulty for Jake, since his congregation has been pushing appropriately Jewish potential mates in his direction.

The script is sometimes too cute for its own good -- as well as predictable -- and resolves its many issues too easily. The film also lasts more than two hours, and it's a good 20 minutes too long for its light-hearted mood.

Nonetheless, Norton delivers a generally polished, agreeable film with winning characters and several comic sequences, as well as an affectionate tone. It adheres to the tradition of screwball comedies from Hollywood's golden age.

Norton and Stiller contribute amusing, likeable performances. Elfman doesn't quite generate as much wit and cleverness as her two male co-stars, though she certainly suffices as the gloriously golden object of their frustrated desires.

Norton takes on a full plate with his film's romantic, religious and ethnic themes, and the results are commendably entertaining. Keeping the Faith also demonstrates his abilities as a romantic comedy actor -- if that, indeed, was one of his goals.

Norton is a versatile artist who deserves our continued attention, both behind and in front of the camera.