Writer/Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Salma Hayek
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors have achieved recognition of Matt Damon. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Damon has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s space scavengers, gifted janitors or soldiers, Damon has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Damon’s finest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has always had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Damon has always left a lasting impression. Through his capability to portray characters that are engaging, Damon has created a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is best known for his iconic role as Bourne in the spy franchise, Damon has proven that he can make engaging movies in every single genre. Throughout his career, Damon has made several unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Damon and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Dogma” is definitely his most underrated work. Released in 1999, Kevin Smith’s film offered a strong portrait of religion. Packed with breathtaking production, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about religion. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Matt Damon, who portrays an angel that faces tension. Although “Dogma” is riveting, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, building tj an ambiguous conclusion without satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of religious dramas.
“Dogma” tells the story of an abortion clinic worker that faces a religious dilemma. Matt Damon portrays Loki, a heavenly angel that threatens the fate of humanity. Assisted by longtime companion Bartleby (Ben Affleck), Loki seeks to save the world from a danger that’s catastrophic. However, Loki’s dreams are threatened when he faces backlash by a clinic worker. Faced with a dilemma, Loki questions whether it’s truly possible for him to overcome his dogma. As all odds become stacked against his favour, Loki questions devotion to religious stature. Experiencing obstacles that are dangerous, Loki is forced to question whether it’s possible for him to be religious.
Kevin Smith is a newcomer towards themes of religion. Before he made “Dogma”, Smith had never directed a movie about religions before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to make a movie about religious ideologies, but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Smith captures a religious angel embarking on a journey. Evoking Wim Wenders’ “Wings of Desire”, Smith expertly uses montages to capture angels that have powerful desire. For instance, the montages elevate the angel introduction scene. During this heartfelt scene, Loki introduces him to a social worker in a hospital. Using montages, Smith creates a portrait of religion which is engaging. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting” suggested, montages elevate coming of age films. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Smith captures tensions that fallen angels are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Dogma” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive religious films you will ever see. Inspired with Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Temptation of Christ”, Smith expertly uses costumes to capture the tensions endured by angels that have strong beliefs in Christ. Throughout the film, Loki’s costumes show his transformation in a larger than life angel. For instance, costumes enhance the angel meetings scene. During this unforgettable scene, Loki has an emotional meeting with fellow fallen angels to discuss his religions. Using stunning costumes, Smith creates a strong portrait of religion that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Howard Shore’s music contributes towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burdens that angels bear. Using stunning production, Smith constructs a captivating portrayal of religion.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dogma” is a movie about religion which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the hardships that angels experience. Smith’s screenwriting strength is abilities to convey tensions faced by religious figures through silence. For instance, silence enhances the religious ideologies scene. During this tense scene, Loki is forced to question his religious ideologies as he experiences an existential crisis. Through silence, Smith constructs a portrait of religion that audiences can relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in film. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” demonstrated, silence elevates WWII movies. Ridley Scott’s “The Martian” proved that silence elevates space survival movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Smith captures religious figures that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Matt Damon delivers one of his best career performances as Loki. Damon first earned appreciation for playing rebellious teens in classic coming of age films. With “Dogma”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to embody a religious figure facing adversity but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, emotional and charismatic in his most meaningful role. Through breathtaking expressions, he captures the bravery, grief and larger than life personality of an angel facing adversity. It’s a strong performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Matt Damon, the supporting cast is great and worthy of appreciation. Ben Affleck is brilliant, capturing the heroic personality of a religious angel embarking upon a journey that’s tragic. Salma Hayek is spectacular, bringing charisma to a religious woman that faces a frightening dilemma. Finally, Alan Rickman merits appreciation. As a religious priest, he is unforgettable.
Although “Dogma” is a captivating religious drama, it isn’t a flawless film. Smith’s choice to integrate subplots about romance in the movie is bold but hinders the pacing. Due to this flawed technique, scenes that capture Loki’s romantic relationships aren’t often as engaging as his religious journey. Moreover, the movie lacks a compelling ending. It’s an ambiguous conclusion that lacks satisfying resolution. Whereas this ending enhanced William Wyler’s “Ben-Hur”, it doesn’t quite work in this movie. Therefore, “Dogma” is one of those films about religion everyone won’t adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Matt Damon would absolutely enjoy “Dogma” and so would audiences seeking bold entertainment. A riveting religious drama, it honours an actor who charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking movie about fallen angels that find faith in religion, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor with strong dedication towards his craft that has made memorable movies throughout a powerful career which are absolutely without a doubt deserving of celebration.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 