Dogma Movie Review (1999)
A brilliantly hilarious film about the impending blotting of existence, Dogma is a classic that never gets old. With the 13th apostle, two unlikely prophets, a small role by Alanis Morissette, and two angels just trying to escape their banishment in Wisconsin, this has always been a favorite.
Dogma is one of those films that struck me from the very first time I watched it. So incredibly smart, layered, and creative, it is a shame that it hasn’t been available in wide release on streaming or video for the last several decades. Luckily, Kevin Smith, the writer and director, finally has the rights back and it will be released again soon! You don’t know what you’re in for!
When God goes missing and because of a rededication of a church, a specific loophole appears to potentially help Loki (the former angel of death) and Bartleby (a former Watcher, one of the choirs of angels) get out of their eternal banishment in Wisconsin and get back to heaven. If they can foil God’s plan, cleanse themselves of all sins, and then die, they can go home. But since God is infallible and this will go against God’s original decree, a small group of helpers needs to stop them from entering the church or it will ultimately negate all of existence.
You will notice something new each and every time you watch Dogma. Between The Buddy Christ and the Catholicism Wow campaign (with the church hoping to make things feel friendlier and recruit new people), a stripping muse, a naked 13th apostle who falls from the sky, a demon who only desires central air conditioning, the voice of God who can no longer drink alcohol, and a poop monster made from the excrement of those crucified in Golgotha (just to name a few things), creativity abounds.
Along with Jason Mewes’ Jay and Kevin Smith’s Silent Bob, the unbelievably stacked cast includes Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Alan Rickman, Linda Fiorentino, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, George Carlin, and Jason Lee, plus a tiny appearance by Lady Aberlin from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as a nun.
The one bummer about this film is Linda Fiorentino. Just like in Vision Quest, she is wooden and not great to travel through the story with. You don’t enjoy watching her performance and it almost takes away from the movie (so I have to deduct .5 stars), but because the rest is excellent, it is what it is.
There are so many one-liners in this film that you will find yourself repeating – “I’m Jay and this is my hetero life-mate Silent Bob.” “The dead, like myself, only worry about decay and necrophilia.” “Mass genocide is the most exhausting activity anyone can engage in, next to soccer.”
Fantastically paced with vignette after vignette as everyone tries to reach their goal, the dialogue is just as creative as the visuals and storyline (if not more). As you watch, you know that you’re missing things because Kevin Smith is brilliant. Which just means that you’ll have to watch it again to catch everything.
Dogma is unbelievably funny and witty, but it is not dumbed down. Which is one of the best things about it. And in the end, it all comes back to one thing with this film – God has a sense of humor. Just look at the platypus.
Runtime: 128 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes, for sure
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Available: Soon to be in theaters and other streaming platforms!
