Keeping the Faith

"Jake: Let me just say....oy.

Brian: Amen to your oy."

Keeping the Faith is a 2000 romantic comedy directed by and starring Edward Norton and co-starring Jenna Elfman and Ben Stiller.

Brian Finn and Jacob Schram are at the mercy of a schoolyard bully when Anna Riley arrives to stop him. The three become inseperable friends, until Anna's father takes a job in California and she moves away. Brian and Jacob stay best friends, grow up and enter into their respective careers: Brian becomes a Catholic priest and Jacob a rabbi. When Anna returns to New York for work and re-connects with her friends, Triang Relations ensue.

A spin of sorts on the 'A priest and a rabbi' jokes.

"Brian: Excuse me if I say that I don't think I'm the best person to offer objective advice on this particular confession."
 * The Bartender: Pauly, who accordingly listens to Brian's story and dispenses advice when he's finished.
 * Chekhov's Gun: The skyscraper across from Anna's office with the windows that can be looked into becomes important in the climax of the film.
 * Confessional: Brian is seen hearing confessions at his parish, though when he sees Anna in the booth, he balks.

"Jake: How upset are they?
 * Converting for Love: Strongly implied with Anna.
 * Cool Teacher: Jake, when he's helping a young member of his congregation learn a Haftarah for his Bar Mitzvah.
 * Did Not Get the Girl:
 * Erotic Dream: Brian has one about Anna.
 * Forceful Kiss:  does this to Anna, thinking she's about to confess she's in love with him.
 * Funny Foreigner: Don the karaoke machine salesman plays this role initially with Brian and Jake, before dropping the act when they start quizzing him about prices.
 * Good Shepherd: Brian does charity and community work and is obviously well-loved by his flock.
 * Could also apply to Jake, who is popular with his congregation and helping Brian to set up a joint Jewish-Catholic community centre.
 * Hey Its That Guy: Lisa Cuddy is one of Jake's unsuccessful dates.
 * And Arvin Sloane is the president of Jake's synagogue.
 * Hot for Preacher: Averted, but see Sexy Priest trope below
 * How We Got Here: 3/4 of the film is Brian recounting to Pauly how he came to end up drinking in his tavern.
 * I Have No Son: Jake's mom disowns his older brother Ethan after he marries a Catholic girl.
 * Although
 * Irishman and A Jew: Anna describes her, Brian and Jake as 'Two micks and a yid'
 * Ironic Echo Cut: Used after Jake's attempt to liven up his Shabbat service by having the Harlem Gospel Choir perform 'Ein Kelokeinu'

Rabbi Lewis: Let's just say they're less than thrilled.

[Cut to meeting with Larry, the president of the synagogue]

Larry: To be honest we're less than thrilled."

"Jake: I don't wanna listen to any of you! (throws down yarmulke and storms off)"
 * Jewish Mother: Jake's mom spends a lot of time harassing Jake about his love life.
 * Jews Love to Argue: A brief flashback shows Jake arguing with his father. Brian's narration implies that the argument is over Jake's decision to become a rabbi instead of entering into the family business. The argument is unheard, save for Jake's closing line:

"Jake: I mean, she's like your sister, Brian, that's-
 * Like Brother and Sister: Lampshaded by Jake when Brian admits he's in love with Anna:

Brian: Yes, thankyou for adding depth to my confusion!"

"Anna: I've seen the way women look at you, even though they know you're a priest - especially when they know you're a priest!"
 * Montages: Several.
 * There's a Good Times Montage showing Brian, Jake and Anna hanging out together. Overlaps as a Falling in Love Montage, as it also covers  and Anna falling in love.
 * Then there's the Drunken Montage when Brian wanders the streets drinking....
 * ....and this is followed by a Sad Times Montage since the trio are now separated/not speaking to each other.
 * Nice Jewish Girl: Jake is under pressure from his mother and his synagogue to find a Jewish wife. Truth in Television, as Judaism is passed down the generations through matrilineal descent. Jake's brother Ethan is disowned by his mother because he married a non-Jew.
 * Power Walk: Brian and Jake, to Carlos Santana's 'Smooth'. See it for yourself.
 * Scenery Porn: The entire film is a loving look at New York City.
 * Secret Relationship: Anna and
 * Sexy Priest: Lampshaded by Anna in a conversation with Brian:


 * She Is All Grown Up: Brian and Jake's reaction when they meet Anna coming off the plane.
 * The Talk: A subversion of sorts. Anna asks Brian a bunch of questions about his celibacy vow.
 * Triang Relations: Of the Type 4 variety, where Anna is in a secret relationship with  and   is in love with her and unaware of the relationship.
 * Two Guys and A Girl
 * Victorious Childhood Friend: Anna to
 * What, Exactly, Is Her Job?: The audience never exactly knows what Anna's job is, other than that it's in business or management. Brian describes it as 'analysing synergies or synergising analogies'
 * Workaholic: Anna, and how! She carries her cellphone with her everywhere and has it strapped to her thigh when she's on a date.