Dogma

REVIEW
Protests surrounding irreverent Catholic movies are generally a good sign (i.e. Last Temptation of Christ, Priest); Smith's Dogma, which would fit pretty well after the Book of Revelation as an addendum to a new bible, lives up to the oblivious protests. Smith's story concerns Bethany (Fiorentino), an abortion clinic worker, who must go on a pilgrimage to New Jersey to save the world from two fallen angels (Damon and Affleck, natch) who plan on exploiting a dogmatic loophole to get back into heaven. It seems God has gone missing after a skee-ball expedition, so Bethany will need the help of stoner prophets Jay and Silent Bob and Rufus (Rock), the black 13th apostle. Wait, wait, put your pickets down. . . Smith has done his homework. Within these outrageous trappings are reverent ideas that preach a personal relationship with God, rather than blind worship or simple servitude before a church (or other organization). These mature themes are presented in an often hilarious package, with Rock at his best delivering fall-down-funny dialogue guaranteed to spark conversation. Smith has also matured cinematically, tackling the widescreen format in a subtle homage to the bibilical epics of the '50s. The plot becomes a bit ponderous, and the torrent of ideas slows to a trickle as the film wraps. But after seeing God do a handstand and explain the meaning of life, all is forgiven in this ambitious, fantastic parable.