Keeping The Faith MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2

Living in New York Citys Upper West Side, two boys become best friends. Jake and Brian later let a spirited young girl, Anna, into their friendship circle. When Anna moves away, the boys are devastated but, years later, she returns to pay them a visit. By this time, Jake (Ben Stiller) has become a committed Jewish rabbi and Brian (Edward Norton), a young, dedicated Catholic priest. Still best friends, the two young men are unconventional and employ very contemporary methods in their ministries. And Anna (Jenna Elfman) has grown into a beautiful woman and corporate executive. Both of the single clergymen are attracted to Anna and a complicated love-triangle develops. All this leads to lots of laughs, as well as heartaches, in this unique romantic comedy. KEEPING THE FAITH will particularly appeal to older teenagers and young adults, and fans of the stars will probably boost the box office showing.

The portrayal of two young clergymen having major moral weaknesses could be rather demeaning, but Rabbi Jake and Father Brian also have their commendable traits. Both men have a strong commitment to their faith, as well as a caring bond for each other. Unfortunately, Jake becomes involved in a pre-marital sexual affair with Anna, which is portrayed as acceptable. Their love making sometimes becomes rather explicit, but avoids nudity. An unmarried couple in an office are also shown in some explicit, but comical, sexual activity. To his credit, Rabbi Jake asks the forgiveness of his congregation for dating Anna because she is not Jewish. Father Brian eventually falls for Annas charms and also considers an affair. Both the clergymen and Anna occasionally indulge in crude and profane language and Brian is shown once drinking to excess in a bar. While Jake and Brian stay true to their spiritual commitments, they seem to have little concern about the moral example set by becoming involved sexually with Anna. Sadly, the explicit pre-marital affair, offensive obscenities and profanities and suggestive sexual content spoil the moral quality of this amusing comedy.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Buena Vista (Touchstone/Disney), 500 S. Buena Vista Ave., Burbank, CA 91521