Writer/director/actor/producer Kevin Smith (Clerks) is considered by some to be a brilliant filmmaker. To others, he is a controversial figure who speaks his mind and is hit and miss as a writer/director. His first film, Clerks, was heralded as an excellent example of successful, independent filmmaking, grossing over $4 million on a post-production budget of less than $250,000. However, some of his other movies were commercial and/or critical flops, including his sophomore effort, Mallrats. His fourth movie, 1999's Dogma, while a box office success, didn't shy away from controversy, as is often the case with religious-based films. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the movie, Dogma will be re-released in 1500 theaters on June 5, 2025.
Dealing with a crisis of faith, the Catholic Church decides to "rebrand" itself by creating a more "family-friendly" version of Jesus called Buddy Christ. The redesigned statue includes a smiling Christ pointing forward with one hand while giving a thumbs-up with the other. Cardinal Ignatius Glick (George Carlin; Bill and Ted's Big Adventure) also plans to rededicate his church in New Jersey, at which time, anyone who enters the church will receive a plenary indulgence.
For fallen angels Bartleby (Ben Affleck; Argo) and Loki (Matt Damon; The Martian), it seems like a loophole they can use to get back into Heaven. However, despondent abortion clinic counselor, Bethany Sloane (Linda Fiorentino; Men In Black), is visited by Metatron (Alan Rickman; The Harry Potter Series), who charges her with stopping the fallen angels, for their ascension back into Heaven will prove that God is fallible, therefore disproving the fundamental concept of God's omnipotence, which will then nullify all of existence, wiping out Earth and all of humanity. Reluctantly, Bethany travels with two prophets (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith; Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) to New Jersey to stop Bartleby and Loki from implementing their evil plan.
Much like South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Smith has no problem offending anyone and everyone, including the Catholic Church. He is an equal opportunity offender who takes pot shots at any and every religion as he tries to discredit the Church in this film. He also has a unique voice in the world of filmmaking, and Dogma follows that pattern, making it easy to identify the movie as a Smith creation.
Unlike his feature film debut, Clerks, Dogma includes an all-star cast, including Affleck, Damon, Carlin, Fiorentino, Rickman, Jason Lee (Almost Famous), and Alanis Morissette (Weeds). Affleck and Damon are great together, but one would generally expect no less, as they are very close friends in real life. Rickman brings his dry, sarcastic humor to his role as an angel, and Fiorentino seems on board for almost anything Smith throws her way. Morissette is terrific as the speechless, childlike version of God, and Lee takes on a different role as the evil Azrael.
Smith is also quite the wordsmith (pun intended) as his characters often give short monologues about what he sees as the hypocrisy and idiosyncrasies of organized religion. He strings phrases that get his point across while trying not to alienate the masses with convoluted statements. He is a straight shooter with his words, so his "rants" are easy to follow and stated in such a way to make the viewer think about the point he is trying to make. While his directing skills aren't as strong, his writing acumen could put him on this country's list of top screenwriters.
If you are a Kevin Smith fan, Dogma is a perfect example of some of his best filmmaking and deserves a view (or a second one, or third...)
Grade: B+
