19) “When are you people going to learn?” – Dogma (1999)
Dogma might just be Kevin Smith’s greatest film as writer-director. It is hilariously funny, sharply observed, wonderfully shot and brilliantly performed by a fantastic cast. It takes every kind of prejudice – sexism, racism, ageism, sizeism, and religious conflict – and tears it all to pieces, which made the protests against its release seem all the more farcical.
Two fallen angels – Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartleby (Ben Affleck) – cast out by God – find a loophole in Catholic dogma and plan to force their way back into heaven. In doing so, however, they will undo all of creation – since according to Catholicism, existence is founded upon the principle that God is infallible. Bethany Sloane (Linda Fiorentino) is identified by Metatron (the Voice Of God, played by Alan Rickman) as being the last relative of Jesus Christ and thus, must foil their plan. She reluctantly undertakes the task, with the aid of two prophets – Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith). She is then joined by Rufus (Chris Rock) – the thirteenth apostle, historically excluded for being black – and Serendipity (Salma Hayek) – a frustrated muse.
Throughout the film, the characters engage in a variety of existential, philosophical and religious discussions, with mortals asking the big questions of the otherworldy beings. It is during one of these discussions that Serendipity hits the nail on the head.
“When are you people going to learn? It’s not about who’s right or wrong. No denomination’s nailed it yet, and they never will, because they’re all too self-righteous to realize that it doesn’t matter what you have faith in – just that you have faith. Your hearts are in the right place, but your brains need to wake up.”
The irony of protests against a film that makes this declaration was clearly lost on the people outside the theatres holding angry placards. Though this is a film focused on Catholic dogma, it is about the imbalance of moral authority – as so beautifully articulated in this short speech by Serendipity. It is about the way in which organized religion of any doctrine has become so concerned with its own hierarchy and moral authority, that the overall message of the importance of faith has been lost among the cacophony of rules and rituals. The fact that Hayek delivers it in such an off-hand way simply drives home the fact that this really is quite simple, obvious, fundamental stuff, and we should all have realized what was happening a long time ago.