|
DOGMA Send This Review to a Friend
The sassy, religious satire "Dogma," shown at both the Toronto and New York film festivals, has already stirred controversy. Kevin Smith's irreverent tale is really a story of trying to save the world from destruction, but it is outrageous in ways that will surely offend many unable to get by the shocks and grasp the real point of the film. Two fallen angels (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) are trying to get back into heaven and head for Red Bank, N.J., the focal point of their mission, a goal that endangers human existence.
When Bethany, a disillusioned woman who works in an abortion clinic (Linda Fiorentino) is tapped as a potential savior and teamed with two oddball prophets, the journey for salvation begins. Bethany later turns out to be pregnant without having had sex. Such religious allusions are rampant throughout. There are many hilarious moments, some of them gross, and it is fun--up to a point--to see such a subject tackled so brazenly.
The trouble is that Smith doesn't provide enough depth to match his ambition. "Dogma" grows tiresome and sophomoric in places despite its high aims and intermittent cleverness and fun. Give it A for effort, however, and an A plus for nerve.
|