“Dogma” is a 1999 American comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith. The film follows two fallen angels who are trying to exploit a loophole in Catholic doctrine to return to heaven, but doing so would destroy all of existence. It is up to a group of unlikely heroes, including a woman who was chosen by God to stop them, a 13th apostle who was left out of the Bible, and two unlikely prophets, to prevent the angels from achieving their goal.
The film stars an ensemble cast including Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, Chris Rock, and Salma Hayek. It received mixed reviews upon release but has since gained a cult following for its irreverent take on religion and faith.
“Dogma” explores themes such as faith, morality, and the nature of God, and features satirical commentary on various aspects of Catholicism. It also features a number of pop culture references and inside jokes that have become beloved by fans of the film.
Cast
The cast of “Dogma” includes:
- Ben Affleck as Bartleby
- Matt Damon as Loki
- Linda Fiorentino as Bethany Sloane
- Alan Rickman as Metatron
- Chris Rock as Rufus
- Salma Hayek as Serendipity
- Jason Mewes as Jay
- Kevin Smith as Silent Bob
- George Carlin as Cardinal Glick
- Janeane Garofalo as Liz
- Jason Lee as Azrael
- Alanis Morissette as God
- Brian O’Halloran as Grant Hicks
- Bud Cort as John Doe Jersey
- Dwight Ewell as Kane
- Ethan Suplee as Norman
- Carmen Llywelyn as Kim
- Scott Mosier as Smooching Seaman
The film also features several cameo appearances, including by Kevin Smith regulars such as Scott Mosier, Walt Flanagan, and Bryan Johnson, as well as by celebrities such as Ben Affleck’s brother Casey Affleck and singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette in the role of God.
Production
“Dogma” was written and directed by Kevin Smith, who had previously gained acclaim for his indie comedies “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy”. The film was produced by Scott Mosier, who had also worked with Smith on his previous films.
The production of “Dogma” was controversial from the start, due to its subject matter and irreverent take on Catholicism. The film’s release was protested by religious groups, and there were even threats of violence against theaters that screened it. The controversy ultimately helped to build buzz for the film, which went on to become a cult hit.
The film was shot on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, with a budget of around $10 million. Smith used many of his regular collaborators, including actors Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson, cinematographer Robert Yeoman, and composer David Pirner of the band Soul Asylum.
“Dogma” was released in the United States on November 12, 1999, and went on to gross over $30 million worldwide. While it received mixed reviews from critics, many praised its originality and wit, and it has since become a beloved cult classic.
Reviews
Dogma” received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, with some praising its irreverent humor and originality, while others criticized it for being too blasphemous and offensive. The film currently holds a 67% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 126 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The site’s consensus reads, “Provocative and audacious, Dogma is an uneven but thoughtful religious satire that’s both respectful and irreverent.”
Roger Ebert gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, calling it “a religious fantasy that is wickedly funny and surprisingly moving,” while Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave it a “C-” rating, criticizing it for being too heavy-handed and preachy.
Despite the mixed reviews, “Dogma” has since gained a cult following and is often cited as one of Kevin Smith’s most beloved films. Many fans appreciate its irreverent take on religion and its clever humor, and the film has been praised for its strong performances and imaginative storytelling.
Where are they now?
Here’s a brief update on where some of the main cast and crew of “Dogma” are now:
- Kevin Smith (writer/director/Silent Bob): Since “Dogma,” Smith has directed several other films, including “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” and “Clerks II.” He has also become a prominent podcaster and commentator on pop culture.
- Ben Affleck (Bartleby): Affleck has since become a major Hollywood actor and filmmaker, starring in and directing films such as “Argo,” “Gone Girl,” and “The Town.”
- Matt Damon (Loki): Damon has also become a major Hollywood star, starring in films such as the “Bourne” series and “Good Will Hunting,” which he co-wrote with Affleck.
- Linda Fiorentino (Bethany): Fiorentino has mostly retired from acting since “Dogma,” but she did appear in a few films in the early 2000s, including “The Last Seduction II” and “Once More with Feeling.”
- Alan Rickman (Metatron): Rickman continued to act in films and TV shows until his death in 2016. Some of his notable roles after “Dogma” include Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” series and the voice of Absolem the caterpillar in “Alice in Wonderland.”
- Chris Rock (Rufus): Rock has continued to perform stand-up comedy and act in films and TV shows. He has also hosted the Academy Awards twice and served as an executive producer on the FX series “Fargo.”
- Salma Hayek (Serendipity): Hayek has continued to act in films, including “Frida,” for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. She has also produced and directed films and TV shows, including “Ugly Betty.”
- Scott Mosier (producer): Mosier has continued to produce films with Kevin Smith, including “Clerks II” and “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.” He has also directed a few films, including “The Grinch” and “Muppet Babies.”
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about “Dogma”:
- Kevin Smith wrote the part of Silent Bob specifically for himself, but he initially didn’t intend to play the role. He later changed his mind and decided to take on the role after actor Brian O’Halloran, who was originally cast in the part, had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.
- The idea for “Dogma” came to Smith when he was working on a comic book series called “Jay and Silent Bob,” in which the characters discover a secret Vatican conspiracy. The comic book was never completed, but the concept eventually evolved into the screenplay for “Dogma.”
- The character of God is played by singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, who was chosen for the role because Smith thought she had the perfect combination of sweetness and strength.
- The film was originally rated NC-17 by the MPAA, but Smith made several cuts to secure an R rating. The uncut version of the film was later released on DVD.
- The Buddy Christ statue, which appears in the film as a new marketing campaign for the Catholic Church, was later produced as a real-life novelty item and became a popular collector’s item among fans of the film.
- Chris Rock’s character, Rufus, is revealed to be the 13th apostle who was left out of the Bible. This was a nod to a long-standing urban legend that there was a 13th apostle who was erased from history.
- The film’s title, “Dogma,” refers to a set of religious beliefs or doctrines that are considered to be unquestionable or absolute. The film’s plot revolves around the characters challenging and subverting these dogmas in order to save the world.
- The film features several nods to other films, including “Star Wars,” “The Exorcist,” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
Box office
“Dogma” was made on a budget of around $10 million and went on to gross over $30 million worldwide during its theatrical run. In the United States, the film opened in 1,266 theaters and earned $8,669,945 during its opening weekend. It went on to gross $30,651,422 in the US and Canada, and an additional $3,278,374 internationally.
While “Dogma” did not break any box office records, its financial success was a significant achievement for an independent film with such a controversial subject matter. The film’s success was also notable given the controversy surrounding its release, with religious groups protesting and threatening to boycott theaters that screened it. Despite this, “Dogma” managed to attract a dedicated fanbase and has since become a beloved cult classic.
