Dogma 1999, Rated R Columbia/Tristar Home Video

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Starring Matt Damon, et al. Released to DVD on May 2, 2000.

Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) is a practicing Catholic who happens to work at an abortion clinic and be the last living relative of Jesus Christ. Approached by the voice of God (Alan Rickman), Bethany learns that it is up to her to stop two wayward, fallen angels (Matt Damon, Ben Affleck) who are attempting to re-enter heaven, an act, should it be completed, that would cause the end of the world. Dogma was, rather surprisingly, received warmly, with most audiences realizing that Smith's tongue-in-cheek humor (in the context of the film, Jesus was black) was just that: one person's personal look at the unique qualities and foibles of Catholicism. And while the script for Dogma probably won't be popping up in any philosophy classes any time soon, as a mainstream film release, it raised numerous theoretical questions and was entertaining to boot, something that can't always be said of Smith's earlier work. Dogma is Smith's best movie to date and truly a different viewing experience.