I very often get messages out of movies and books that other people dont seem to, it is part of who I am. So it was that I got so moved while watching "Keeping the Faith" on Sunday on the Comedy Channel that I missed church. Something told me that the movie was almost, if not as, uplifting spiritually as going to church today would have been. Not having gone to church, I cant be sure, but I certainly think the movie has some things to say to me.
First of all, some basics. The main characters in the movie are Jake Schwam, played by Ben Stiller, Brian Finn played by Edward Norton and Anna played by Jenna Elfman. In somewhat supportive roles were Anne Brancroft as Ruth, Jakes mother and a very understanding Rabbi Lewis, played by Eli Wallach.
Without giving too much away, the story line involves a Catholic priest and a Jewish Rabbi, who were both lifelong friends with once tomboy, now high pressure business woman, Anna. Romance insues as does hurt feelings, self doubt and anger between the parties involved. This issues are resolved over the final half of the movie, but gradually. The movie deals with faith, not just in the sense of religious faith but in interpersonal relations as well, and has a lot to say about the ability of human beings to get along, when it gets down to the nitty gritty. While it is tempting to discribe the story line, I will resist and confine myself to saying that anger and pain is forgiven on several levels. The Rabbi gradually finds that his relationship with the love of his life and that with his mother can be salvaged, even thought he has every reason to believe that would not be the case at the beginning.
The movie has a lot to say about committment and freedom of choice, one marginal character saying that you really can not truely committ if you dont realize you have a choice. Altought this movie is considered to be a comedy, I think it is much more a thesis on human nature, the nature of love and committment and the resilence that true love provides.
For me it was too meaningful to be seen just as a comedy, altought it had comedic overtones. See it. In my opinion you will not regret it.
Oh, and I am participating in Nicholas V's Movie Monday theme this week.
Nicholas's Movie Monday--review of "The Troyan Women" 
