`Keeping the Faith’ blessed with charm, humor

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In theaters

KEEPING THE FAITH. Directed by Edward Norton. Written by Stuart Blumberg. Running time: 129 minutes. Rated PG-13.

Edward Norton’s “Keeping the Faith” is one of the more curious date movies going. It’s about a rabbi and a priest who fall in love with their spunky childhood sweetheart, a woman who’s so fresh and exciting on so many fresh and exciting levels, she’s apparently worth throwing away all the vows and commitments each man has made to his respective religion.

Lucky for this film, it’s not so much a drama as it is a comedy not really interested in the ethical dilemma it presents. Instead, it’s more interested in love — the love it wears on its sleeve — and its relationships between its three central characters.

Inspired by a whole host of cinematic love triangles, from those found within “The Philadelphia Story” and “Moonstruck” to “Broadcast News,” the film stars Norton as Brian, a popular Catholic priest in his Manhattan neighborhood, and his best friend, Jake (Ben Stiller), a popular rabbi in his own Manhattan neighborhood. Both men are hip, happening, leather-clad members of the God squad who are totally unprepared when Anna Reilly (Jenna Elfman) re-enters their lives after years apart.

Once described by Brian and Jake as “a magical cross between Jonny Quest and Tatum O’Neal,” Anna seems to have it all — looks, brains, success, an adventurous spirit … and an unquenchable thirst for sex.

As the trio gets reacquainted, the plot predictably complicates; Jake knows he shouldn’t be swooning over a gentile and Brian is certain his vows of celibacy are being threatened by Anna’s flirtations. Still, neither man can help himself from falling Bible over Torah for Anna, and so each must struggle with his conscience, which is handled so well, it gives “Keeping the Faith” an unexpected depth — and loads of charm.

With Anne Bancroft onboard as Jake’s Jewish mother, “Faith” solves its dilemma too neatly in a fleeting exchange of dialogue at film’s end. But this is first and foremost a romantic comedy — and a blessedy funny one at that — something Norton never loses sight of.

Grade: B+

On video

MUMFORD. Written and directed by Lawrence Kasdan. Running time: 111 minutes. Rated R.

Lawrence Kasdan’s terrific new film, “Mumford,” is about people — people who need people. It’s very good.

Quirky but never silly, gentle but never dull, the film is a standout that recalls director Robert Altman in spirit, director Frank Capra in tone, and the television show “Northern Exposure” in its closely knit, neighborhood feel.

The film stars Loren Dean as Mumford, a clean-cut, boy-next-door psychotherapist who has recently started to practice in the town of … Mumford, an uncanny connection that suggests the film’s underlying mystery has nothing to do with Mumford’s neurotic clientele, but everything to do with Mumford himself.

The film, which quietly champions then cleverly eschews the merits of therapy, is driven by its performances, including Mary McDonnell as a compulsive shopper, Jason Lee as a lonely, boyish billionaire, Alfre Woodard as a sharp, sensible coffee shop owner, and Hope Davis as a woman possibly suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. But its charm and spark ultimately come from the enigma created in Mumford.

How mysterious is Mumford? To paraphrase one of the film’s characters: Everybody has a dirty secret, a rousing story, another life — Mumford just happens to have the variety pack.

Grade: A-

THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL. Directed by William Malone. Written by Dick Beebe. Running time: 115 minutes. Rated R.

William Malone’s terrible new film, “The House on Haunted Hill,” is about people — people haunting other people. It isn’t very good.

Just as the original 1958 film was a dull piece of campy trash, so is this slapped-together remake, which stars Academy Award-winner Geoffrey Rush in the role that Vincent Price played before him.

But nowhere in this film is there a long, glum funeral procession for the damage Rush has done to his career. Nowhere is there a giant hook to haul him off screen or a curtain allowed to drop to protect him — and us — from the ensuing nightmare of his embarrassing, over-the-top performance.

The omissions of that hook and that falling curtain are a big oversight in a film which sinks the actor squarely into caricature as Stephen Price, a multimillionaire nutcase who offers five strangers — played by Taye Diggs, Ali Larter, Bridgette Wilson, Peter Gallagher and Chris Kattan — a chance to make $1 million apiece if they can somehow survive a night at a haunted house.

But this film, much like the ill-fated “The Haunting,” is a special-effects extravaganza that doesn’t know what to do with its characters, its plot, or its script, a thin piece of fearless fluff that features dialogue so blood curdling, audiences might need a transfusion upon hearing it.

Sample line: “I’m gonna run scalding water on the place you just touched me — and then I’m gonna call a cab!”

Please do — and by all means take this rotten film with you.

Grade: Condemned

Christopher Smith is the Bangor Daily News film critic. His reviews appear Monday and Thursday in the NEWS, Tuesday and Thursday on WLBZ’s “NEWS CENTER 5:30 Today” and “NEWS CENTER Tonight,” and Saturdays and Sundays on NEWS CENTER’s statewide “Morning Report.”

THE VIDEO CORNER

Renting a video? NEWS film critic Christopher Smith can help. Below are his grades of recent releases in video stores.

The Bachelor D+ End of Days C+ The House on Haunted Hill F Mumford A- Stuart Little B- The Insider B+ Superstar B+ Three Kings A- Three to Tango D- Boys Don’t Cry A For Love of the Game B The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Ark C- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace B Jacob The Liar D Last Night B- The Sixth Sense A- The Omega Code F Pokemon: The First Movie C- Crazy in Alabama C Drive me Crazy C+ Guinevere A- The Limey A Outside Providence C+ Eyes Wide Shut B+ Buena Vista Social Club B+ The Bone Collector C+ Twin Falls Idaho A The Best Man B Random Hearts C- Stigmata C- Bats C Brokedown Palace C+ Double Jeopardy B- An Ideal Husband A- The Story of Us D The Astronaut’s Wife D- The Winslow Boy A- Runaway Bride C- Stir of Echoes A- Tarzan B+