What a pleasure! Edward Norton's first directorial effort, `Keeping the Faith,' is a delightful pastiche which will entertain and amuse. Norton (Brian) also portrays a priest who is the lifelong friend of Ben Stiller (Jake), a rabbi. After many years, their boyhood friend, Anna, winningly portrayed by Jenna Elfman (Dharma & Gregg), returns to New York. She re-enters their lives as a vibrant, ambitious and charmingly sexy young woman. The rest of the plot is quite predictable. However, it is all in the execution here. Anne Bancroft is perfect as Jake's Jewish mother. Her wise words of advice and witty repartee light up every scene she's in. Eli Wallach is the president of the Temple in which Jake officiates. Milos Forman (director of `Amadeus') makes the most of a cameo appearance as Brian's senior priest. The rest of the cast is super. The young women Jake's congregationists try to match him with have hilarious encounters with him. Of course, the whole thing comes out as you would expect. And you will walk out with a big grin on your face.
Review of Keeping the Faith
