Keeping the Faith

A couple of show-biz, “with it” NYC holy men (Ben Stiller, rabbi; Edward Norton, priest) are discombobulated by the sudden return to their lives of childhood playmate Anna (Jenna Elfman), all grown up now and trolling for man-meat to complement her success as hard-driving career gal. Edward Norton’s directorial debut, from a screenplay by pal Stuart Blumberg, has its moments, but it suffers from excessive length, wandering focus, tone jolts, and the fact that, for much of the film’s last half, Stiller’s rabbi is pretty much an asshole. Demerits too for the smarmy orations fellating the godness of Manhattan.