Dogma

 Dogma

In a nutshell: Two angels, who were banished to earth by God thousands of years ago, want back into Heaven. They discover a loop hole that’ll guarantee them entry with clean souls, but if they get in, it’s the end of the world! Cue our heroine Bethany; a lonely woman chosen by another angel to stop them, with the help of the 13^th black Apostle, Rufus, and Jay & Silent Bob in tow. What a plot right? Silly and comical to be sure, but “Dogma” also posed some interesting questions and tackled several controversies about God, Jesus and the history of the Catholic Church that make you sit up, think and maybe challenge some of your own beliefs - when you’re not laughing your arse off at all the ridiculous antics that is.

What was different/original about it? The story itself was completely original. An idea first conceived by writer-director Kevin Smith around the time he released “Clerks”, but got around to making six years later. It took on the topics of religion, faith, heaven & hell, abortion, genocide and martyrdom in a funny way, surprisingly pulling it all off with style and charm. And somehow, the story found a reason to have Jay & Silent Bob join in; despite the fact they were just bludging stoners who usually hung out the front of convenience stores. Genius!

How did it change movies? Dogma joined a select group of movies that was so controversial in its subject matter, it completely divided film critics the world over. I remember one reviewer was unable to give it any form of a rating at all, providing the words “God only knows?” instead. Kevin Smith had already established himself as an inspirational Indie filmmaker with his first runaway hit “Clerks”, but Dogma brought him into the mainstream, showing he could pull in big names like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck for starters. He also proved he could write terrifically witty dialogue and make us laugh at our own religious fantasies, flaws and loopholes. Aspiring scriptwriters who are over 30, bald, fat and still live in their mothers garages have a lot to thank Kevin Smith for. Okay, that last line was pretty harsh, sorry… 

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