Section B · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, April 13, 2000
Worn-out joke with a twist turned into 'cute' comedy
movies
By Clare McLellan Kansan movie critic
Everything about this movie was cute.
I probably could end this review right now and still have given an accurate and complete description of Keeping the Faith, which stars Edward Norton, Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman.
The stars were cute, the dialogue was cute, the story was cute, Elfman's character's clothes were ...well ... cute. Who needs depth or intellectual stimulation in a movie with all this cuteness? This movie was a romantic comedy in its purest form.
The plot line reads like a worn-out joke. "So there was this priest and a rabbi..." But there's a twist.
The priest (Norton) and the rabbi (Stiller) are best friends who both fall in love with "the coolest girl we've ever known" — Anna Reilly (Elfman), their childhood friend. Anna, a stunning and successful executive, reenters their lives and hearts, throwing them into a bizarre love triangle.
Stiller's character, Rabbi Jake Schram, revitalizes his congregation with a modernized approach to faith, but has been unlucky in love. After being constantly set up by mothers at his temple, Jake tires of the dating scene.
His mother, played by Anne Bancroft to sheer perfection, disowned Jake's brother when he fell in love with a girl who was not Jewish — a memory ever-present in Jake's mind.
More information
For video clips online, see
kansan.com
www.kansan.com
Norton's character.
Father Brian Finn, has had similar success with his parish in the Upper Westside of New York City. He's totally absorbed in his faith and his parishioners and has never doubted his abstinence vow. That is until a beautiful blonde from his youth awakens his dormant emotions.
Keeping the Faith is all of the above and that's not a bad thing. But it's not a great thing either.
Sounds like a story Nora Ephron would drool over — a plot with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks written all over it? A plot that makes you wish you were '5'11', skinny as a rail with blond hair and blue eyes?
The characters spice up this movie and kind of set it apart from the 10,000 other romantic comedies Hollywood plops out every year. And it's the actors who make this movie worth seeing.
Edward Norton — this guy is precious. His range of acting ability is incredible, as evidence by a resume that includes Primal Fear, American History X and Fight Club among others. And now he tackled a romantic comedy, pulling it off with irresistible charm. To top
KEEPING THE FAITH
Sound: B
Cinematography: B
Writing: B+
Overall: A
it off. he also directed and produced the film
Ben Stiller — this guy knows comedy and is famous for his writing, directing and acting. He fits the role like a glove; his timing is as precise as an architect's pencil.
Jenna Elfman — this woman embodies spunk. She only sheds parts of her Dharma skin, and bits of her beloved TV character shine through in this film. Anna is a bit more sophisticated and professional than Dharma, but she exudes the same amount of coolness and fun. Elfman and Anna are a match made in heaven. The supporting cast, highlighted by the indelible
The supporting cast, highlighted by the indelible Bancroft, does a terrific job, too.
In recent years, Bancroft has played a creepy, crusty old woman in *Malice*, a neurotic mom in *Home For the Holidays* and now the perfect Jewish mom in *Keeping the Faith*, always with the same level of perfection.
For what it's intended to be, this movie is entertaining. It won't make you think much, but it will make you laugh. It won't make the world a better place, but it may make you forget about your worries for a while. But it will — in good faith — attract roses of romantic comedy worshipers to sacrifice $5 for a movie that is just so darn ...
You know
28 Days — A newspaper columnist is forced to enter a drug/alcohol rehabilitation program.
in playing at Southfield 12, Iowa 104,
*American Beauty* — A deceased man tells
his tale of turning his miserable life around.
Playing at Southwind 12.
American Psycho — A young man working on Wall Street at his father's company kills for no reason. Playing at Plaza 6, 2393 Isahta Black and White — An airhead makes a documentary about wealthy white kids who wish they were black. Playing at Plaza 6
The Cider House Rules — A coming-of-age tale about orphan Herman Willa'is' initiation to a new life. (Simon & Schuster)
Erin Brockovich — Julia Roberts stars as Erin Brockovich, a Los Angeles working mom who investigate a utility company. Playing at South wind 12.
Final Destination — After a teen-ager visualizes that the plane he and his classmates are on explosions midair and that all on board will die, he and six others leave the aircraft, only to struggle to stay alive on the ground. Playing at Plaza 6.
High Fidelity — John Cusek plays a Chicago record store owner who, after his girlfriend dumps him, revisits his romantic history and life choices. Playing at Southwind 12.
Here on Earth — A rich kid fails in love with
local wrestle and becomes entangled in a bit
of infidelity.
Ghost Dog — A contract lister for the maffia who addresses to ancient Japanese samurai is put to the test when he's blamed for a bungled hit. Playing at Liberty Hall 644 Massachusetts St.
Keeping the Faith See review.
Reach up. Rv. Reilbin. Sun review.
He was a natural buddies to inspire his wrestling hero "King" to get his championship back from his nemesis. Placing at Southwid 12.
Rear Window — A re-release of Alfred Hitchcock's thriller in which a bed-ridden photographer witnesses a murder from his rear window. Playing at Liberty Hall.
**Return to Me** - A sickly young woman and a Chicago skyscraper builder find in a most beautiful town.
*Romeo Must Die.* — A young Chinese businessman in New York is asked to broker peace between two mobs, but he falls into the hands of the other side's leader. Playing at Playa 6a.
The Road to El Dorado — Tulio and Miguel, two crooked gamblers who travel to the city of gold when they get shipped off the New World. Playing at Southwind 12.
Rules of Engagement — Samuel L. Jackson is accusing of ordering a civilian massacre while evacuating a besieged U.S. embassy. Playing at Southwind 12.
The Skills — Joshua Jackson plays an underprivileged, overachieving Yale pre-flaw student drawn into an elite campus secret society. Playing at Southwind 12.
The Third Miracle — The Vatican sends a priest to verily miracles performed by a woman who's been nominated for sainthood. Playing at Liberty Hall.
Where the Money is — A nurse discovers one of her catatonic patients is actually a bank robber who only faked his stroke to get out of prison. Playing at Southwind 12.
Find out what being the best is all about.
Kansan Advertising Staff Open House 6 p.m., Monday, April 17 121 Stauffer-Flint Hall
Talk with current managers and staff members about positions for the summer and fall 2000 semesters.
Get info on how to apply and what you can expect in working on College Newspapers Business & Advertising Managers, Inc. Business & Advertising Student Staff of the Year
sales strategy customer service business management creative
1