With the introduction of "a priest and a rabbi" it's hard not to anticipate a punchline with a modicum of prejudice. Keeping the Faith explores the role of multiculturalism in the contemporary urban context of New York. On the other hand, the film relies quite heavily on stereotypes and clichés. While it seems like the film is attempting a degree of irony in this reliance, it sometimes comes off as half-baked. This idea translates into the film's depiction of Judaism, which is obscured behind its notion of faith. Keeping the Faith suggests that even in the exclusive world of Conservative Judaism there is room for progress. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The film, through its stars, fosters a melting pot dynamic of diversity over the model of cultural pluralism. While the dynamic of cultural pluralism emphasizes a unique ethnic cultural identity, the melting pot model strives to become “Americans All.” In the past the melting pot model led to less diversity, in modern New York I would say it leads to greater diversity because the definition of what it means to be American has changed. Through its modern acceptance of diversity and pluralism, the film proposes a transition from heterogeneity to homogeneity. The film sought to highlight fused unity through, as Norton put it, “The idea that everyone in New York is a bastard.” (416, Baron) Essentially, by birth (e.g. the bartender who is a Sikh Catholic Muslim with Jewish in-laws who owns an Irish pub) or by choice (e.g. Jacob's multicultural approach to religion), everyone in New York has multiple components of identity. In contrast to previous films that presented American culture as a mosaic, this film suggests that contemporary urban society is willing to learn and appropriate foreign traditions. Judaism is represented across a diverse spectrum seen through Jake's synagogue. The film presents the modern version of the persistent tendency in Judaism towards progress and its resistance. Although Jake embraces modern liturgy and interfaith pluralism with his community's practice of meditation and a gospel choir, the more conservative members, led by Larry Friedman, oppose the changes. However, Jake's progressive approach does not necessarily eclipse his less redeeming qualities that constitute his narcissism. His acquisitive approach in his youth with his rabbinical papers can be traced back to his seduction of Anna despite her friendship with Brian. The film depicts Judaism as having a social code, but not a moral one. The clichéd Jewish characters scattered throughout the film are typical: the Jewish mothers and the Jewish American princess. All Jewish mothers worry about their children meeting a “nice Jewish boy or girl.” Ruth, Jake's mother, often nags Jake about his love life and has even disowned her eldest son for marrying a Catholic girl, although she has attempted to repair the relationship. Ruth is a slightly submissive Jewish mother because, although she can be overbearing, she does not appear to be habitually emotionally manipulative. Ali, Jake's first date in the film, is much more consistent as a Jewish American princess; she is materialistic, selfish and spoiled by her father. His obsession with his physical attractiveness is evident through his obsession with fitness records. Although the Jewish American princess typically rejects sex because Jake is her ideal mate, Ali is open to her insatiable sexual desire. Jake doesn't fall into an obvious Jewish stereotype, rather he has the qualities.