Dogma: A Screenplay

by Kevin Smith

One of the major hits of the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, a film that proved too hot for Disney to handle, Kevin Smith's ribald, revolutionary new film Dogma is a comic theological fantasy that is sure to be one of this fall's most provocative offerings. Two fallen angels (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck), sentenced to eternal exile in Wisconsin, are trying to get back into heaven. A renegade cardinal in New Jersey (George Carlin), as part of his "Catholicism Wow!" campaign, has opened a loophole in Catholic doctrine that would give them their opportunity-and, in proving God's judgment wrong, destroy the universe. An abortion clinic counselor (Linda Fiorentino) who may or may not be of holy bloodlines is tapped as the very reluctant savior-and, accompanied by the thirteenth apostle (Chris Rock), a wayward muse (Salma Hayek), and two very questionable prophets (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, AKA Jay and Silent Bob), she sets off on a mission to save the world.

Genres: Humor, Film, Fiction, Fantasy, Religion, Comedy, Media Tie In

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 1999

About the author

Kevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, director, as well as a comic book writer, author, and actor. He is also the co-founder, with Scott Mosier, of View Askew Productions and owner of Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash comic and novelty store in Red Bank, New Jersey. He also hosts a weekly podcast with Scott Mosier known as SModcast. He is also known for participating in long, humorous Q&A Sessions that are often filmed for DVD release, beginning with An Evening with Kevin Smith.

His films are often set in his home state of New Jersey, and while not strictly sequential, they do frequently feature crossover plot elements, character references, and a shared canon in what is known by fans as the "View Askewniverse", named after his production company View Askew Productions. He has produced numerous films and television projects, including Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Clerks II.

Reviews

[mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading a screenplay is an opportunity to see the writer's original intentions. And while Smith directed, acted in, and edited the movie, there were also the casting director, the actors cast, the director of photography and a co-editor (among others) who got to have their say in shaping the final result. Plus with the screenplay, you get to see the stage directions (surprisingly little in this and mostly for the benefit of the photography) and whatever backstory in terms of explanation/narration the writer included. You also can get the story without being burdened by the visuals; in other words, you get to "see" it in your head the way you would visualize any other work of fiction, which means now it's your personal interpretation of the writer's story. And that's always fun, even if it's a story for a movie I have already seen. So, for example, knowing the nun who loses her faith is Betty Aberlin who played Lady Aberlin on Mister Rogers in the Land of Make Believe, I could easily picture her in her full Lady Aberlin regalia, but wearing the coif, wimple, and veil.

The story is essentially the same as in the movie with all of the satire, parody, sarcasm, and irreverence that you would expect from Kevin Smith. Reading it with the voices of the actors in my head also makes it less like reading and more like being told the story, which is always fun too.

[Just Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should get docked a point because of the shit monster, but gains it back by casting Alanis Morissette as God. I'm a 90s kid, what can I say except Thank You, Kevin.

[Steven Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious and thought provoking.

[Jeff Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Enjoyed more than the movie.

[Shody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the movie so much I needed the screenplay. It's comical and kind of serious... but for the most part, makes you think.

[Rob Kotaska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would love to read a version without Jay and Silent Bob. There is so much good stuff in this, but they feel shoehorned in.

[Baris Balcioglu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to love Kevin Smith. I didn't recall that I had discovered him during my first year in the US.

[Punkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Smith's best.

[Djayawarman Alamprabu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blasphemy at its best :P
- Great writing
- Great Plot
- And Great cast for the movie :P

[Karen Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on a trip to Chicago in the hotel lobby's take-one-leave-one library. I love the movie, and this just gave me a deeper understanding to some of the nuances I've overlooked, plus a few deleted lines and scenes.