Keeping the Faith
2000
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Oy. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Amen to your oy.
Anna Riley: You don't understand. I have a relationship with my phone, we have a chemistry together, I can't explain it.
Jacob: God was showing off when he made you.
Indian Bartender: May those who love us, love us. And those who don't love us - may God turn their hearts. And if He cannot turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles, so that we may know them by their limping.
Indian Bartender: Let me guess. Your old lady got fed up because you're out here chasing the skirt so she took these little ones and left you. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: It's a little more complicated than that. Indian Bartender: Sure it is. Everyone thinks his story is the one with a twist. Well let me tell you, I've heard just about everything there is to... (Brian unzips his jacket, revealing his priest's collar) Indian Bartender: Holy shit. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Exactly.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Sometimes we don't see certain things until we're ready to see them in a certain way.
Anna Riley: So this is a rectory. That sounds like a bad word. Rectory!
(Brian, a celibate priest, confesses his love for Anna, to Jake's astonishment) Jacob: I mean, she's like your sister! Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Thank you for adding new depth to my confusion.
Anna Riley: I work harder than God. If He had hired me, He would have made the world by Thursday.
Rachel Rose: Oh my God! The Iraqi defense minister just committed suicide! Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Ooh!... Is that bad or good?
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Is this a good machine? Don: (In heavy Oriental accent) Yeah, that one good. If you a cheap bastard! No, that one OK, but if you serious about car - OK, then there only one machine for you. The Audio 2000! This baby got multiple inputs, dual pitch analyzer, so you can change the pitch, if your voice sucks, but I don' need that. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: How much does it cost? Don: (shouts) Price is not important Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: No, price is very important. Don: OK, OK, you got me, take me away. It's a little bit expensive, but it's worth it. When you sing, to your girlfriend, and her heart waboom, fall down on the floor, you say Thank you, Don! Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: How much... does it cost... exactly? Don: (looks around and speaks in ordinary American accent) Ok, I don't usually do this but you guys seem like a couple of cool guys and I got a nice piece of ass last night. I'm gonna let you have it for $1300. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: $1300? Wow. Sorry I'm getting a little hot. (unzips his jacket to show his priest's collar) Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: My friend gets a little hot sometimes. Don: (In normal voice) Oh, man! What is that? Get out of here with that! Is that real? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Oh, yeah.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Whoa! Listen to what you're saying. You're telling me that I was supposed to be sensitive to the possibility that a Catholic priest might have a crush on my secret girlfriend?
(showing teenage Jake how to do the sign of the cross) Teenage Brian: Spectacles, testicles, wallet, watch.
Alan Klien: I suck! They're gonna take away my Yamulkha!
Alan Klien: I suck! They're gonna take away my Yamulkha! Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: No you don't. You don't suck. Alan Klien: I suck. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Yes, alright, you do. You suck. But that's ok, you're supposed to suck. This isn't a talent contest, it's a rite of passage.
Anna Riley: I just called to see how the date went. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: That's so funny. I had an impulse to call you last night but then I thought it might be too late. Anna Riley: You should've. I was stuck here barking at Los Angeles. So what did you wear? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: What? I'm not gonna tell you what I wore on my date. Why would I do that? Anna Riley: I want to get an image of a young rabbi on the prowl, what's your game man? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Ok. Navy blue pin stripe suit. Anna Riley: Mmm. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Navy blue button down shirt. Anna Riley: Good colour for your eyes. Shoes? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Black. Kenneth Cole. Leather. Anna Riley: Size? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Big. Anna Riley: Ow! Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: You wanna hear about the special knot in my tie? Anna Riley: Baby no, we gotta keep room for dessert. Don't give up hope ok? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: I'll keep it alive. Anna Riley: Good bye Mr Sharp Dressed Man.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: The seven deadly sins. Who can name the seven deadly sins? People! It was a very popular film with Brad Pitt, you have the ultimate cliff note.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: You're a Sikh, Catholic Muslim with Jewish in-laws? Indian Bartender: Yes. Yes. It gets very complicated. I'm reading Dianetics. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Don't blame you.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Jews want their rabbis to be the kind of Jews they don't have the time to be. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Yeah, and Catholics want their priests to be the kind of Catholics they don't have the discipline to be.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: What happened to our youth? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: I'm telling you, it ended at 30, pal.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: No, I'm glad you saved it because it's definitely less weird for me now.
Rabbi Lewis: Don't look at me in that tone of voice.
Anna Riley: (to Jake) So what's your chick situation? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Oh, don't ask, it's not a good story. Anna Riley: Why? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Because his whole congregation is trying to set him up and it makes him very uncomfortable. Anna Riley: What's wrong with that? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: There's a reason pandas don't mate in captivity. Anna Riley: What does that mean? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: It means these mothers keep making these dates for me that I can't refuse. They're very intimidating, they're like the Kosher Nostra. They're little women but very determined. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: I think you get a little melodramatic about this, don't you think? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Oh, yeah? Today one of them faxed me her daughter's resume. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Let me see that. Ali Decker. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Look at the bottom. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Oh. She has a skills section. Anna Riley: Yes? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Oh, you win. She put jogging as a skill. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: See? She doesn't even know the difference between a hobby and a skill. Anna Riley: All right, so maybe she's a skilled jogger. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: I have to go on a date with this woman. Why can't I just say no? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: I don't know, why can't you? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: I can't alienate these women, I need body count at the temple.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: What's the story of Sodom and Gomorrah really about? Anyone? Steve Posner. Steve Posner: Sexual perversion. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Sexual perversion. Steve Posner's watching too much Spice Channel!
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Greta Nussbaum, before she pulls her rotator cuff.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: (talking about the Ein Keloheinu) Excuse me, Raphae, guys, I just have to do this again 'cos it's really been bugging me. Ein Keloheinu. It's a joyous song, a prayer about praising the Lord, telling the Lord how much we love him, or her, but no matter what I do, I can't seem to be able to get you folks to sing it with any feeling. I mean, I brought in the band. That didn't work. I brought in my bongos last week. I think we can all agree that was a backwards step. So this morning, I've brought in a little outside help.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Whoah! Are you seriously telling me that unless you find a nice Jewish girl and settle down in the next six months they're not going to give you this job? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: I'm seriously telling you there has not been a bachelor head rabbi of B'Nei Ezra since the beginning of the synagogue.
Anna Riley: Can I ask you a question? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Yeah, of course, anything. Anna Riley: It's personal, so... Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Oh, are we gonna have the sex talk here? Anna Riley: Yes, you're my friend and I wanna know how this works for you. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Fire away, you must have a list of questions. Anna Riley: Really? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Really? Anna Riley: So you... don't. Right? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Right. Anna Riley: At all. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: At all. Anna Riley: Have you ever, er? (getting uncomfortable) Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Had sex? Yes. Anna Riley: With women. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Yes. Anna Riley: So you're not gay. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: No. No. Anna Riley: Are you sure? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Yes, but even if I was the rules are the same. Anna Riley: Do you miss it? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: No. Anna Riley: Are you tempted? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Nah! Anna Riley: Oh, admit it. If they changed the rules you'd be psyched.
Anna Riley: What's happening with Ruth and Ethan? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Oh. Ethan married a Catholic girl and that did not go over well. Anna Riley: That's why they're fighting? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: They're not fighting, they're not talking. Two years now no communicado. Anna Riley: Are you serious? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Yeah. Anna Riley: What? Weren't they really close though? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: As close as Ruth and Jake. Anna Riley: That explains a lot. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: You see why tonight was not just a date.
Anna Riley: I can't Wednesday night, I have a class. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Ok, what are these classes already? Anna Riley: I like to try new things sometimes, I don't wanna talk about it, I get embarrassed. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: You shouldn't be embarrassed. A lot of people take... aikido. Anna Riley: No. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Line dancing. Anna Riley: Not even close. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: What's the big deal, why? Anna Riley: Jake. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Feng Shui? Anna Riley: No. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: You shouldn't be embarrassed if it's Feng Shui. You know what? Don't tell me, I like the whole mysterioso thing, it turns me on.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: I keep thinking about what you said in seminary, that the life of a priest is hard and if you can see yourself being happy doing anything else you should do that. Father Havel: That was my recruitment pitch, which is not bad when you're starting out because it makes you feel like a marine. The truth is you can never tell yourself there is only one thing you could be. If you are a priest or if you marry a woman it's the same challenge. You cannot make a real commitment unless you accept that it's a choice that you keep making again and again and again.
Anna Riley: I'm gonna miss a lot of things around here. Like Len's endless Howard Stern recountings and of course my Romeo Casanova boy across the way. Len: (someone in Casanova's office starts waving a sign) Hey, what is that? Anna Riley: I don't know. (looks through binoculars) Debbie: Who is that? Anna Riley: It's Jake. Debbie: What's he doing? Anna Riley: (He's miming "pick up the phone", she picks up the phone) Anna Riley. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Hi, Anna? Can, can you see me? Cause I can't see you, I'm just looking at a reflection of myself. Anna Riley: Jake, I can see you, what are you doing? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: I've been trying to get up there for the last hour but it's like the frigging Pentagon with that T-Bone guy. So I decided to try Mr Casanova here - by the way his name is Howard. Anyway I've been doing some thinking and there are some things I'd like to talk to you about. (Debbie switches to speakerphone) Am I on speakerphone? All Anna's colleagues: Hi, Jake! Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Hi. Hi. Can I talk to you alone? Can I come over there? Anna Riley: No, I think now would be a good time. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Ok. Well, I've been thinking about some of the things you said and you were right. Anna Riley: About what? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: About us. About me, especially about me. Anna Riley: So what are you saying Jake? All Anna's colleagues: Yeah, what are you saying Jake? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: I'm saying I love you. I'm in love with you. And I've been waiting my whole life for someone like you and I'm not gonna let you go. Please don't go. Anna, I'm not gonna let you go. (pause) Could we hang up the phone maybe.
Confessional Woman #1: Is it me or is confession getting a little touchy-feely these days?
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: If I was to tell you that I loved you and I'd give it all away just to be with you, what would you say? Woman in Bar: Good night, Paulie. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Yep. That's about par for the evening.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: (to Anna) Excuse me if I say that I don't think I'm the best person to offer objective advice on this particular confession.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: How upset are they? Rabbi Lewis: Let's just say they're less than thrilled. Larry Friedman: To be honest, we're less than thrilled. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Ok, with what specifically? Larry Friedman: With what specifically. Well, with guided meditation specifically, with stand up comedy sermons specifically, with your loose improvisational style specifically. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Ok, with people actually enjoying services? People showing up at all? Larry Friedman: To be serenaded by the Harlem freaking gospel choir? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: At least they were praying. Rabbi Lewis: It was a hell of an Ein Keloheinu, Lar. Larry Friedman: It's not kosher, Rabbi Lewis. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Larry, what does that mean? Larry Friedman: You have to ask me what kosher means? Study your gemara.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: What do you want me to do? Flagellate myself? Jews don't do that, we plant trees.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Feel the prana!
Rachel Rose: Well, looks like I'm going to Baghdad.
Anna Riley: We have a chemistry together, I can't explain it. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Well, chemistry's a funny thing. Anna Riley: Yes, it is. Are you speaking abstractly or specifically? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Abstractly.
Anna Riley: Jake Schram. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Yes. Anna Riley: How are you? Who are you? Tell me everything, give me the 4-1-1, I wanna know. Girls, job, news.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Holy majoly!
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: He's, like, porn slapping her!
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: You're gonna benefit from this!
Rachel Rose: (to Brian and Anna) So how long have you two been together? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Oh, right! Anna Riley: Oh, we go way back. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Yeah, we've known each other since we were kids 'cause we grew up together and we connected again a couple months back this was and we just clicked, really unexpectedly.
Father Havel: I remember I fell in love with this girl in Prague. She was beautiful. She looked like Carol Lombard. She grabbed me in the alley behind my church, she pressed me up against the wall, she kissed me. I was so happy I thought I would die, I felt like Richard Chamberlain in "The Thorn Birds", you know with Maggie in the attic. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: You never told me this. Did anything happen between you? Father Havel: Not really. Flirtations, little moments, but soon after the Russians invaded Czechoslovakia and I moved to the United States.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: He has a healthy self-confidence, I can tell from his posturing.
Anna Riley: I've seen the way women look at you, even though they know you're a priest - especially when they know actually.
Ruth Schram: Now you. Anyone new in your life I should know about? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Wow, 20 minutes! I can't believe we made it this far. Ruth Schram: It's my God-given right to check. What about the Shapiro girl. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Oh, no, not the Shapiro girl. Ruth Schram: Why not, she was a looker. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: It's not that, the problem was here. Ruth Schram: What? Bad skin? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: No, not bad skin. Ruth Schram: What then? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Ok, you want an example? I take her out to dinner, I order dessert, she says she doesn't want any, I get pecan pie. She asks me for a bite, I give her a bite, her face swells up like a chipmunk, she looks at me and says, "Oh, my God, are there nuts in this?" Ruth Schram: So what? Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Mom! It was pecan pie.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: You wanna bring a priest to your first good date in two years? What kind of strategy is that?
Anna Riley: You look so hot in your suit, can I just tell you. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Thank you. You look beautiful. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Yeah, you really do. Anna Riley: Thanks, men! Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: I don't know what it is. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: An absence of something. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Yeah, the cell phone. Anna Riley: Uh, uh, uh. It's set to vibrate. Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Wow, that's... sexy.
Father Havel: Who is calling at this hour? It's barbaric. I was dreaming about my mother's sausages.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: You must think I'm such an idiot! Anna Riley: No, Brian! Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: No, no no, I think I'm an idiot!
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: I'm Irish! This is milk to me baby! Milk!
Paulie Chopra: I would like to thank you for telling me that story. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Why? Paulie Chopra: Because now I can retire.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: I don't doubt myself because of you. I feel like the best version of myself when I'm with you, and that makes me doubt everything else.
Anna Riley: (Brian dials Anna's phone number and hears her voice on the answering machine) Hi, this is Anna. Only three people have this number. If you're not one of them, leave me alone.
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: I feel like I'm on some bad new Aaron Spelling show - "Melrose Priest."
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: You're in love with her? Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: (to himself) No one seems to have picked up on this. It's very strange.
Omar: (speaking passionately in Spanish to Father Brian inside a confessional) Mrs Lopez, she's seriously hot, she's got a rack like (gestures with his hands) ... Forgive Father... Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: (in Spanish) Really, don't worry about it. It's completely normal to have those feelings, everyone has them. What's important is what you do with those feelings. Understand? Omar: Sí. Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: Sí? Omar: Mmmhmm.
Indian Bartender: I don't do penance, I do shots.
Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram: Oh, God, please let this be painless. Ali Decker: (opens door) Hi! Right on time! I like that in a rabbi!
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: (Omar bumps into Brian and Anna) Omar! Omar: (in Spanish) Sorry, father, hey she has a nice ass! Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: (in Spanish) You're the expert, huh?
Father Brian Kilkenney Finn: I'm God's consiglieri.
Anna Riley: I haven't screamed that hard since the US hockey team beat the Russians.