Hoping God can take a joke
By Sheri McWhirter
Lifestyles Editor
The Alestle
Nov. 11, 1999 issue

When Kevin Smith's latest film, "Dogma," is released, it will prove there is a God.

Smith earned his comic notoriety writing and directing the films "Clerks," "Mallrats" and "Chasing Amy."

Smith's latest project will shock you, rock you and leave you craving more. Not only does "Dogma" tackle the controversial issue of lost faith, but it's chock-full of dick and fart jokes.

Many media outlets across the country have been reporting controversy and protests by religious groups over the content of "Dogma." These religious zealots haven't even seen the film yet! If they'd get off their soapboxes long enough to watch it, they'd learn that Smith's message is not negative towards Catholicism.

"This movie isn't a revenge tactic on some nun that rapped my knuckles in Catholic school like so many people think," Smith said. "I actually had a great Catholic school experience."

Clearly, the theme is that religion is a wonderful thing, as is faith, if one is aware of religion and faith rather than simply repeating unconsidered habits learned as a child. This theme is obvious only when assuming the viewer is of at least normal intelligence.

Also keep in mind this film is fiction. That's synonymous with not true, unfounded and make-believe. "How seriously can you take a movie that has a rubber poop monster in it?" Smith asked.

The plot of the film consists of angels, prophets, demons and apostles battling for the fate of humankind.

Two fallen angels, Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartleby (Ben Affleck), discovered a significant loophole in thecosmic contract. God had forbidden them from ever returning to heaven. But Loki and Bartleby have other arrangements in mind. If their plan is successful, it will unravel existence.

Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) comes to realize that she is the savior of humanity like her great, great, great, great, etc., etc. uncle, Jesus Christ. This daunting news is brought by the Voice of God (Alan Rickman).

So the adventure begins. This starts off perhaps the most unique road-trip movie to date.

Bethany must travel to New Jersey to prevent Loki and Bartleby from re-entering heaven. How she will do this is unknown to pretty much everyone.

Along the way, she encounters friends and foes. The 13th Apostle, Rufus (Chris Rock), appears from out of nowhere with helpful hints and uncanny spiritual advice for the baffled heroine. Also, a heavenly Muse called Serendipity (Salma Hayek) and two dubious prophets known as Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and writer/director Smith) help out in fascinating and utterly comic ways.

The intimidating enemies include Loki and Bartleby, the quick-tempered demon Azrael (Jason Lee) and a hellacious skater gang armed with deadly hockey sticks.

The cinematography of the film is beautiful. It's obvious Smith spent more time developing and perfecting this film than he did on any of his previous credits.

The special effects are spectacular. The difference in this film is that the special effects are used to accent the story line, not the story line accenting the special effects, like the ever-popular Spielberg does so many times.

Creating a movie of this caliber takes a type of courage not often seen in a Hollywood, where money talks louder than creativity. Not to mention convincing the talent to work for scale pay, which everyone on the cast did.

"I always want to make movies that mean something to me," Smith said. "It's my movie about faith and religion - it was a relationship examination."

Hopefully, the negative reactions from an uninformed few will only add fuel to the fire that is propelling this movie into financial success as well as critical acclaim.

"I don't know if Lions Gate (the distributor) is truly prepared for the South to rise again," Smith said. "I hope God has a good f***ing sense of humor."

"Dogma" is rated R for adult language and adult content, has a running time of 125 minutes and will be released in theaters Friday.