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The best ben stiller

Best in Show: Ed Norton
One for the future: Jenna Elfman
Stand-out scene: The priest's confession
Brainer or no-brainer: Brainer
Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: Repeated
DVD commentary any good?: n/a

VIDEO
It just goes to show; don't believe everything you hear from critics. I went into this movie with low expectations due to less than complimentary comments i'd read in reviews. I came out of it pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Having seen a number of Ed Norton films, the lightness and comedic elements of this traditional screwball comedy confounded my preconceptions. Having Ben Stiller as his comedy partner is a considerable plus for Norton and the two spark off one another throughout. Jenna Elfman (TV's Dharma) was a virtual unknown to me and I'm surprised that her work following this film has been confined to mainly voice-overs on cartoons as here she shows great promise as a comedic actress. I'll pass over her appearance in Town & Country. The plot is basically a love triangle between Brian (Norton's priest), Jake (Stiller's rabbi) and Elfman's power-dressing tomboy. The trio have been firm friends as children and when Anna is posted to New York, they pick up where they left off until Jake and Anna become smitten. Trouble is, Brian's also smitten with Anna and confesses as much, unaware that his two best buddies have been boffing for months. A light and satisfying treat of a movie.

More ratings...
Why do "not-so-good" movies sometimes get such a great soundtrack?
The score by Trevor Rabin for Deep Blue Sea is again awesome...

Just a fun movie that always makes me smile. Ben Stiller, Ed Norton, and Jenna Elfman all give fine performances. The humor isn't always perfect but it's good for several laughs. And "Heart of Mine" by Peter Sallett is a beautiful song.

B:fresh:

Comedy

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This is a very enjoyable romantic comedy that rings true.

New York City, first and foremost, is the star of this religious comedy. The skyline is always in the background, and many of the main actors are natives of this fair city, soon to be my home.
A man wanders drunkenly down a city street late at night, and ends up in a bar, where he reveals his clerical collar and his life's story to the friendly bartender. He is Brian Finn (Edward Norton), a priest whose best friend since childhood has been Rabbi Jacob Schram (Ben Stiller). When their first love, Anna Riley (Jenna Elfman), now a grown, beautiful, successful career woman, returns to New York on business, the lives of the two clergy, the so-called "God Squad", are shaken up a bit. Jacob and Anna quickly respond to their chemistry by starting a secret relationship, while Brian starts to consider giving up his vows to be with Anna. It all hits a climax when Jacob, unable to marry non-Jew Anna, breaks up with her rather than admit that he loves her. Anna calls Brian, who takes a while to get over losing his "girlfriend" to his best friend. But when two friends are in the business of love and forgiveness, we know everything will work out well in the end.
This is one of the first films I bought (way back when I still did VHS) and every time I've seen it since, I've found it heartwarming and inspiring. There is something special and unique about this movie. It finds that precarious balance between honoring religion and mocking it. There are plenty of jokes about religion, but in the end, the film is absolutely sincere in its treament of the subject of faith. And it's a great comedy in the meantime. The last third of the film winds down to the inevitable happy ending, but the jokes in the first half are both plentiful and very funny. Plus, you can't beat the supporting cast: Bronx-born Anne Bancroft as Jake's mother, and Brooklyn native Eli Wallach and New Yorker Ron Rifkin as rabbis.
Overall, a sincere, realistic, comedic, and romantic tribute to faith, religion, and The Big Apple.

Keeping the Faith

11-08-06