Jay and Silent Bob have become, more and more through Kevin Smith's films, the observers and narrators of his commentary on - to borrow a phrase - life, the universe, and everything. In Clerks, they watched the slack jawed yokels at the Kwik Stop wrestle with such weighty issues as why people look for the newest gallon of milk or why people never notice the "99 cents" sign. Mallrats was much the same. In Chasing Amy , Smith's storylines grew up a bit, but Jay and Silent Bob still watched from the wings, saying both a lot and a little, having an almost holy influence on those around them; Silent Bob speaks in wise blurbs, prophetizing with each word and Jay gives people visions, in a manner of speaking.
In Smith's highly anticipated new film, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob have moved out of the role of active observers and closer to the spotlight, where Jay becomes a bit more human as we actually see his character. Silent Bob, too, becomes more human. While he doesn't say much - even less than in the other films - he is very expressive. The two navigate through the complex plot as our narrators, in a sense. They are the only 'regular' people involved in the story and between Jay's verbosity and Silent Bob's lack thereof is a place for each of us; they're the bookends of humanity that allow we the viewers to be in the film.
Not surprisingly, Jay and Silent Bob seem rather mute on the issues of religion. The film's overt discussion of issues of faith is thus allowed to take place without forcing the viewer to take sides. This is not to say that the filmgoer is made to agree with everything Smith says, but rather that the issues are raised in the film, but not by our narrators. Jay rambles on throughout, highly oblivious to the implications of the conversations around him, and Silent Bob listens but says nothing. Either way, we're left to make up our own minds.
Yet despite what I see as a space for resistance (between Jay and Silent Bob), the film does have a definite feel and message. Even the title tells the viewer what to expect: the word "dogma" implies blind faith, canonical law, bureaucracy. Even just using the word has negative implications. Along with the title, the film opens with a tone-setting scene in which an angelic looking Matt Damon is talking with a nun and trying to convince her that organized religion is oppressive to the masses. His is an argument that is often used, so it isn't there as a statement to be listened to and adhered to, rather it sets the tone of the film: confrontation, discussion, and argument.
All in all, Dogma is a fabulous film. It confronts very real and important social issues in a humorous but not insulting way. While it does poke fun at Catholicism most of all, it does not do so out of spite, but rather in hopes for something better. The humor is sharp and witty, with lots of film references and inside jokes; both Dante and Randal make appearances in the film. Best of all, Jay and Silent Bob give us a perspective to approach from, and eyes to watch through. Jay's last line shows the part the duo plays in the film: they've both experienced it and not changed much; they're passive and active too; they're the modern incarnation of the Greek chorus.