Two friends, a priest and a rabbi, fall in love with the same woman they knew in their youth, but the religious position of both men denies them romance.
Jake and Brian are friends. They are Jewish and Catholic respectively. They would grow up and become a rabbi and priest. Anna, whom they knew when they were younger, comes back to town a stunning woman. Jake is up to be the head of his synagogue but he is not married which doesn't make his appointment any easier. Jake finds himself attracted to Anna but because she's not Jewish, he can't marry her as it would make his appointment less likely. Brian also finds himself attracted to Anna, but the priesthood doesn't allow that. Their friendship is strained when each learns of the other's feelings for her.Written by
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Composer Elmer Bernstein was hired due to an enthusiastic recommendation by the film's editor Malcolm Campbell to Edward Norton, with whom Campbell had worked with when he was the primary editor for John Landis' films and Bernstein had scored for a period of ten or more years. Those films include An American Werewolf In London, Trading Places, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Spies Like Us, and Three Amigos! Campbell was an assistant editor when Bernstein first collaborated with Landis on National Lampoon's Animal House and also on Blues Brothers, where Bernstein provided the very brief "God Music" for the film. Bernstein was not involved with Twilight Zone The Movie which Campbell edited Landis' segment since the entire film was scored by the late Jerry Goldsmith. See more »
Goofs
When Brian grabs the first bottle of liquor he takes one swig before continuing the conversation with Anna. When the next shot of him is shown less than 5 seconds later the bottle is less than half full. See more »
Thank-yous include one to "Salmita Bonita", a reference to actor-director Edward Norton's girlfriend, actress Salma Hayek. See more »
Alternate Versions
The DVD release features quite a few edited scenes, including:
Brian takes Anna to the club while it's still under construction
Brian tries to come into the bar with a bottle of liquor in his hand. The bartender tells him 'No Bottles', so he promptly drinks the remainder
Brian and Jakob walk through an art museum with Anna (featuring the scene from the Gag Reel where Anna can't say the name of the picture she's standing in front of); eventually, her cel phone rings, she has a yelling match with a co-worker, and falls in the fountain (also seen in the Gag Reel)
A bit with young Jakob and Brian making a kung-fu movie with a home video camera
Anna talking to Ruth about Jakob and Jake's brother (establishing exactly why Ruth never forgave him)
A piece from Jakob's date, where the woman talks about running and breast implants before having a sneezing fit and smashing her face on the table
Jakob tells Anna to put her pager under her skirt while she's at work, and he'll call her; two co-workers come in just as Jake starts calling, trying to get her to help them work out the numbers as she 'gets buzzed'
The picture is a romance story between three friends, a Catholic priest Brian(Edward Norton), a rabbi Jake(Ben Stiller) and a gorgeous girl(Jenna Elfman),she is an old childhood friend and now she returns to New York city and the friendship is re-established. The two male friends fall in love with the enticing executive, creating themselves a loving triangle. Jake is in a traditional congregation that want him married with a good Jewish woman but is the fact which his mother(Anne Bancroft) disapproved to his brother for marrying with a non Jewish .Jake is a little worried about his future and he's out step,out of place and desperately looking for a fiancée with numerous suitors(Rena Sofer) The problems are when Brian cannot break his vow of celibacy and Jake cannot marry but isn't Jewish . We never met a pair as liking as Stiller and Norton.They along with Jenna Elfman are agreeable,enticing and enjoyable.The film has great load of amusement,fun,giggles,chuckles and is very entertained.Besides there are a brief exploration about Jewish way of life, making a slight exposition of the rites ,ceremonies ,habits, religion and the Tora .Although the screenplay sounds some ridiculous and absurd ,the plot is well developed and has surprises and its good moments here and there. Nice and cheerful music score by the classic Elmer Berstein(Seven magnificent,Age of innocence).Direction by Edward Norton captures the special excitement or mood protagonists and scenarios. The flick will like to romantic comedy enthusiastic. Rating: Nice and Well worth watching.
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The picture is a romance story between three friends, a Catholic priest Brian(Edward Norton), a rabbi Jake(Ben Stiller) and a gorgeous girl(Jenna Elfman),she is an old childhood friend and now she returns to New York city and the friendship is re-established. The two male friends fall in love with the enticing executive, creating themselves a loving triangle. Jake is in a traditional congregation that want him married with a good Jewish woman but is the fact which his mother(Anne Bancroft) disapproved to his brother for marrying with a non Jewish .Jake is a little worried about his future and he's out step,out of place and desperately looking for a fiancée with numerous suitors(Rena Sofer) The problems are when Brian cannot break his vow of celibacy and Jake cannot marry but isn't Jewish . We never met a pair as liking as Stiller and Norton.They along with Jenna Elfman are agreeable,enticing and enjoyable.The film has great load of amusement,fun,giggles,chuckles and is very entertained.Besides there are a brief exploration about Jewish way of life, making a slight exposition of the rites ,ceremonies ,habits, religion and the Tora .Although the screenplay sounds some ridiculous and absurd ,the plot is well developed and has surprises and its good moments here and there. Nice and cheerful music score by the classic Elmer Berstein(Seven magnificent,Age of innocence).Direction by Edward Norton captures the special excitement or mood protagonists and scenarios. The flick will like to romantic comedy enthusiastic. Rating: Nice and Well worth watching.