The Movie Guys: Seeing no Evil in Smith’s very Good ‘Dogma’

Friday, Nov. 12, 1999 | 9:34 a.m.

Grades: Jeff, B; Dave, A-

Starring: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino and Chris Rock

Screenplay: Kevin Smith

Director: Kevin Smith

Rated: R for profanity, adult themes, sexual situations, violence and drug use

Running time: 125 minutes.

Playing at: Regal Cinemas Village Square 18, Regal Cinemas Boulder Station 11, Regal Cinemas Colonnade 14, Cinedome 12 Henderson, Rancho Santa Fe 16, UA Showcase mall, UA Green Valley

Synopsis: The latest battle in the eternal war between Good and Evil has come to New Jersey in the late 20th century. As two renegade fallen angels find a loophole in church dogma that will allow them to re-enter heaven, a ragtag group of humans are assigned to stop them. There's only one minor drawback: Should these angels succeed, they'll also obliterate all human existence.

Dave: For starters, the film that sparked enough controversy to motivate Miramax heads Bob and Harvey Weinstein to dig into their own pockets and front the $12 million so Disney could avoid any relation to the film's religious content (where were they in 1994 when the Mouse House suffered hell fire for "Priest"?) is no more controversial than any one of the films in which writer/director/co-star Kevin Smith continuously pokes harmless fun.

"Dogma" arguably takes a pro-Catholic stance to produce a generational epic that is unusually original and indescribably creative. This religious satire raises the questions between faith and fraud as it follows two rebellious angels who discover a loophole that will allow them to pass through heaven's gate and back into the arms of God. Out to stop them is a mortal descendent of Jesus Christ who works at, of all places, an abortion clinic. Are you offended yet?

Jeff: You may recall that this summer I proudly stated that the First Amendment is alive and well thanks to "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Now, after viewing "Dogma," not only is the freedom of speech still alive and well, but I'm proud to call Smith a modern-day patriot. The opening of the film begins with a reminder that God has instilled within us a sense of humor and not to take Smith's harsh and perverted words as doctrine. No, the Catholic church isn't on trial here, nor its centuries of bigotry and double standards. But "Dogma" questions one's blind faith in any religion.

This movie will offend most for, if anything, its frame-woven profanity. Every other word is a four-letter one. I had a smile plastered across my face the entire time and secretly applauded Smith for his courage and foresight in creating a film that makes people uncomfortable and dispenses food for thought. That is the purpose of art. That, and making us laugh ourselves silly. Comedy rings true. But Dave is Catholic and I'm Protestant, so I'm sure he has something to say.

Dave: "Dogma" introduces a variety of characters including prophets, angels, disciples, demons and muses. Linda Fiorentino plays Bethany, a divorced woman doubting her faith and the contradictions in her life (being a practicing Catholic employed at an abortion clinic, just to name one) until she is chosen by the powers that be to stop the angels, Loki and Bartleby (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck), from regaining their place in heaven after being exiled to Earth -- Wisconsin to be exact.

Her destination is New Jersey, where she is accompanied by the 13th apostle, Rufus (a stellar turn from Chris Rock), who claims that being black got him erased from the Scriptures, and two familiar slackers who have made their way into every Smith movie, Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Smith), as the hapless pair of prophets. Meanwhile Loki and Bartleby are on a crusade of their own as they leave a bloody path of sinners in their holy-avenging wake. The film's lewd and crude humor, with its perverse nature and offensive dialogue -- even downright vile at times (the attack of an "ancient fecal" demon is rather disgusting) -- is rich with sincere witticism and plenty of rhetorical theory that would challenge any theologian.

Jeff: Smith makes every effort to offend by analyzing the truth of existence (blaming organized religion) and even taking apart "The Walrus and the Carpenter" as a model of proof. The cast is more like a group of high school buddies who get together every other year to make a movie, but some exceptions stand apart from the crowd. Smith's writing is lengthy (some could say wordy) and at times the actors had so much to say in such little time that the words just flew by at the speed of sound. His subject matter is reminiscent of "Monty Python," which was the first to attack organized religion on television and in the film "Life of Brian." But where "Python" used subtle wit with an air of sophistication, Smith chooses the locker-room approach.

So many characters keep coming at you and the film never focuses on the central character, our hero Bethany, the chosen one. Catholic organizations have damned this film sight unseen. The old proverb, "I don't have to lay an egg to smell a bad one," was at work. I wasn't offended, but a few of the dozen people who walked out of the screening obviously were. What are the best parts of "Dogma"? Jay and Silent Bob are back (much to my delight) as prophets who are sent to help save the world, and George Carlin makes a cameo as a padre, unveiling the new "Buddy Jesus." What boldness. God Bless Kevin Smith.

Dave: I believe our ambitious filmmaker innocently makes light of a serious subject. Certainly he is not attempting to take down Catholicism or any other organized religion, but rather those individuals who may have misrepresented their faith. His approach is more reverent and respectful than just meaningless jabs and blasphemous ridicule, and he reserves his mockery for hypocrites and fellow filmmaker John Hughes. And I certainly agree that Smith's direction fails in comparison to his brilliantly-paced script.

However, I'd argue that half of the film's creative charm is aesthetically intentional. "Dogma" is a comical journey that is as profound as it is unintentionally offensive. Besides, who are we as critics and audiences to say that God doesn't have a sense of humor? Have you ever looked at the platypus?

Movie Buzz

Sandra's "Dreams": Sandra Bullock's next project may be a modern fantasy called "Wildest Dreams" for MGM. Bullock would star in the film, which will tell the story of a woman who is emotionally crippled after her husband's death. Two years later she and a firefighter experience each other's dreams, which allows each to confront their own inner demons and move on with their lives. No other casting, or a production date, have been set.

Neverland meets Nevermore: The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, will appear on the big screen as, get this, Edgar Allan Poe, in a film called "The Nightmare of Edgar Allan Poe." According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film is scheduled to start production late next year. The script follows the last week of Poe's life. Sounds cool ... but Michael Jackson?

Foster breaking "Silence": Despite previous reports, Jodie Foster is still involved with the "Hannibal" movie project -- that is if certain changes are made. In spite of recent quotes in W magazine, Foster hasn't given up on the sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs." The magazine reports that Foster has contacted the powers that be and said she will not appear in the film unless the story, based on Thomas Harris' book, is radically rewritten.

Name That Flick

What was the occupation of John Candy's character, Del Griffith, in the film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"? Jeannette Greene was first to e-mail the correct answer: He sold shower curtain rings. Way to go, Jeannette!

For this week, who said this and in what film: "They'll lose their fear of the Germans. I only hope to God they never lose their fear of me"? If you think you know, call the Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026, or log onto our website at www.themovieguys.com to leave your answer. See you next week!