Do you have the faith?. Review on Keeping the Faith Movie

Doubt sees the darkest night

Faith answers 'I'...

Caste

Edward Norton as Father Brian Finn (of Fight Club fame)

Ben Stiller as Jake Schram (star of Meet the parents and Something about Mary)

Jenna Elfman as Anna Reilly (Dharma of Dharma and Greg)

The movie

It's a simple and lighthearted take on inter-faith relationships and how three different individuals react to love when 'it happens' to them. One is a rabbi worried about his fellow Jews. The other is a celibate priest who now fancies a woman. The third is a driven businesswoman who's initially out for 'just some fun'. The subtle and refreshing humour adds to the charm.

The Story

Three childhood friends come together when Anna meets her two old buddies Jake and Brian in New York. The old gang is reunited. She is a businesswoman with the world to call her own. Jake is a Rabbi and Brian is a priest. Each is dynamic and quite a mover & shaker in his/her right. This unlikely trio come together in this movie and leave you with a message without intending to do so.

Jake and Anna fall in love, but decide to keep this information from Brian for they don't know he might react. Brian meanwhile, falls in love with Anna. Having chosen celibacy, Brian has his own guilt issues to deal with. He misinterprets Anna's overzealous and friendly nature for reciprocation of his love. His confession to Anna makes him avoid her and he begins to doubt Anna's friendship. He feels rejected and embarrassed. He believes that Anna must think him a fool. There you see, he had no faith in his friendship. Often we doubt the very people we are close to.

As if this isn't complicated enough, Anna isn't a Jew and Jake isn't sure how his community would react to their rabbi wishing to marry outside the faith. Anna realises that she wants more than just 'fun' and is now in love with Jake. What does she do? She lets him know. What does he do? He breaks up with her, for he is worried about his community and their reaction.

'If only you had a little more faith in your fellow-men (Jews)' says Anna to him.

Here was Jake, the man spreading faith, telling people to have faith... yet he didn't have faith in those very people, did he? He expected them to ostracize him. He thought he'd lose it all. He didn't have faith in the power of love.

Faith...

Faith in everything... faith in love, faith in people. Faith above all else. Minor problems plague us all. Obstacles... we all have plenty of them (I'd like to give mine for sale to anyone who doesn't). It's all about keeping faith.

'God's not going to throw it (love) in your lap again. This is your chance' - Brian

'You love her. She loves you. Where's the problem' - Brian

'Love isn't always enough' - replied Jake

The truth is... love is enough. At least it's all that matters. Jake and Anna do get back together, but only when Jake is able to 'keep the faith'.

What about you?

Do you have the faith? What matters most in life? Is it not love? A few problems and we begin to doubt... doubt it all, doubt everyone and announce that 'no one would understand' or 'support' you. Have some faith in the people around you. You might just find your answers. Don't let anyone go just because the going got tough or doubts creep in. Love happens but once. Know it's worth. Understand it's depth. Feel it's power. Keep the faith.