Keeping the Faith
User Score
6.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26

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  1. CharlieK.
    May 7, 2001
    9
    This was a funny movie that just had a nice twist at the end. I loved the acting.
  2. MichaelC.
    Feb 20, 2001
    8
    What a surprise! I expected Keeping The Faith to be another crappy romance with largely unfunny jokes. But, it was exactly the opposite. It's a great romance with hilarious jokes, and shouldn't be missed.
  3. JakeW.
    Feb 9, 2001
    8
    In a film as potentially gimmicky and stupid as this, its the performances which need to shine, and they do. I am no fan of sitcoms but Jenna Elfman shows her dramatic and comic ability here; no mean feat when you're working with two generally accepted talents like Norton and Stiller. This movie could have been terrible, but it wasn't. Bad professional reviews for this are written by grouchy people who have to watch romantic comedies for a living. Poor souls wouldn't know a good one if it bit them on the ass.… Expand
  4. ConradR.
    Jul 9, 2001
    5
    In a movie that came near to being a complete bomb, the three main characters bring together some light comedy, charm, and drama to produce a better-than-some film.
  5. RyanM.
    May 27, 2001
    9
    Exremely funny! Just shows you what happens when you clash Jesus and Moses in a wickedly entertaining comedy with a great cast.
  6. kcunning
    Apr 1, 2011
    9
    This is an underrated romantic comedy with a warm and complex theme of friendship, love, betrayal & redemption. What a great debut as director by Edward Norton. I'd love to see him direct more films as charming & warm-hearted, & funny as this one. This was such a delightful film. Stiller is at his most charming & sexy as a rabbi who falls in love a non-Jew yet doesn't want to hurt his mother(a poignant & funny turn by Anne Bancroft) nor endanger his job as a young rabbi. Stiller & Norton as his lifelong friend, a priest, both fall for their childhood friend, played by a charming, & complex Jenna Elfman. This was her role of a lifetime & it deserved much more positive recognition.
    Norton gave Stiller a great role. His rabbi has many social & family obligations, but he & Norton's priest have a lifetime of friendship, & competition, & their relationship is completely believable. Elfman's blond, high-powered businesswomen returns to their life from their long-ago childhood friendship & turns both of their worlds upside-down. Anne Bancroft's Jewish mother, who has damaged her relationship with her eldest son because of her refusal to accept his Christian wife, now realizes her mistake. Bancroft gives her last, great performance which is funny & nuanced. When she & Elfman weep about the love & pain that Elfman & Stiller's relationship has caused & the difficulties they may encounter, you believe these strong women love & respect each other & will help themselves & the man they both love to move through their problems toward a new family. I must also point out the great soundtrack, with Tom Waits, & other wonderful singers, and note that Elmer Bernstein composed the lyrical & haunting movie's theme.    … Expand
  7. ovi_bz
    Jan 8, 2011
    6
    A nice comedy. Nothing much to expect. A simple story. Good actors. Funny and original comic situations where Ben plays very well.
  8. RadioJoNES
    Oct 11, 2012
    0
    God damn this movie sucks. Holy **** **** Ben Still's acting in usual is pretty damn terrible. But now he's a rabbi, A **** RABBI. **** I AM PISSED OFF

    Plot, is **** terrible, oh look at us two religions crashing harder than my **** balls on asian school girls tuesday.

    My **** mom made me see this movie because she's a muslim and my step dad is a jew from a christian family. That is     already the most convoluted bull****… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31
  1. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Kevin Maynard
    65
    Works so hard at being pleasant and ingratiating that it wears out its welcome.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    50
    Commits sins of romantic comedy as well as sins of spiritual tragedy.
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  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    60
    A slick, not-too-thoughtful love story.
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