movie: Keeping the Faith
starring: Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman
genre: Comedy, Romance
year: 2000
format: TV edit
plot: Two life long friends, one who's become a priest the other a rabbi, reunite with a girl they were friends with when they were children. Over the course of a few months, they both realize how much they care for her, and when she starts a romantic relationship with the one, their bond as a group unravels.
Yet another Ben Stiller film, the tv stations must have stock in his movies or something. This was one of the better movies I've seen in the last few weeks. Witty, sweet, and ironically heartfelt.
On the surface this is a buddy film/romantic comedy, but it's about we perceive ourselves and the roles smaller communities place us in. Two of the main characters, Stiller and Edward Norton, spend a good chunk of the film trying to show just how similar all religions are, pointing out the difference between faith (spirituality) and religion.(yes, I said the difference between having faith/spiritual belief and following a religion) The whole time, dealing with their own values and self perceptions in regards to their faith and love lives. The Stiller character hiding his relationship because he doesn't think the stigma of dating a non-Jewish woman will sit well with his family and congregation. While, the Norton character is suppressing his own feelings because he believes the personal sacrifice is the only way he can truly live up to his calling in the Catholic religion.
What did I learn? You can never know what tomorrow will bring.
There is a line in the film that reflects that, when an older priest comments about you know you've made the right choice when you continue to fall in love with that choice over and over again.
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