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It is very easy to see why one might have a certain amount of trepidation in going to see a film like Thank You for Smoking. A lot of it may have to do with the title. We are automatically given the idea that this is a film that will deal with the subject of smoking cigarettes in a light hearted way. Even smokers may veer away from such a film. It turns out that the title truly does say it all (in a tongue in cheek kind of way). Thank you for Smoking is a biting satire that truly proves that satire can be great, if done tastefully and intelligently. I'd even go so far as to say that Thank You For Smoking is one of the funniest, most intelligent satires to come out of Hollywood in years, and it assaults everyone in its path. How does silver-tongued tobacco-industry apologist Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) live with himself? His cushy gig as spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies consists of using statistical obfuscation, misdirection and doublespeak to position smoking as the front line of the battle for freedom of choice, rather than a blatant example of how a handful of amoral businessmen line their own pockets at the expense of public health. "If you argue correctly, you're never wrong," he assures his starry-eyed 10-year-old, Joey (Cameron Bright), and anyway, everybody has bills to pay, right? Writer/director Jason Reitman (based on the novel by Christopher Buckley) has created a wild romp centered on a fascinatingly egotistical powerbroker too in love with his own abilities, and oblivious to his shortcomings. It's a formula for tragedy and comeuppance that is compelling to watch, along with Nick's attempt at a comeback, which is even more interesting and thrilling. All behavior is taken to the extreme for our comical benefit as Nick ends up in the middle of some hair raising situations, including a kidnapping, a confrontation with the tobacco industry's leading symbol (wonderfully played by Sam Elliott), and finding himself as the man in the middle of a political and personal firestorm when his cockiness catches up to him. Reitman makes every scene as absurd as possible, even when they have an air of truth to them, and he has the right leading man to take us through this roller coaster of a movie. Eckhart is dazzling as a born phony almost brought low by believing his own lies, and he's matched at every turn by a stellar supporting cast that includes Robert Duvall as a Big Tobacco mogul, Sam Elliott as cancer-stricken Marlboro Man Lorne Lutch, J.K. Simmons as Nick's ruthless boss, Rob Lowe as the superagent who cloaks his bullsh** beneath a facade of Asian spirituality, and Bello and Koechner as his partners in slime. Its true strengths come from going beyond the easy jokes: asking why someone might choose to do what Naylor does and how they can look at themselves in the mirror each morning. He's a target for lampooning, but both Eckhart and director Jason Reitman commit to making him human -- and thus render the film as much a character study as a comedy.Read full review
"Thank You for Smoking" was an entertaining movie. I enjoyed the portrayal of corporate shenanigans and its satire of Hollywood types. The acting was good and all players did their jobs well but I was a bit put off by the smirking 'we're so smart and hip attitude' of the movie. A bit of humbleness is appealing you know. Some say the subject matter in this film i.e. to smoke or not to smoke is equally weighed. I personally didn't feel that way at all. I felt the overall tone for the movie was geared toward smoking. Personally, I don't smoke but I don't mind that this film is for smoking. What I liked about the film is that it kept my brain going. And like I said majority of this film is predictable, but you do begin to question how free the rights of the American Public are? Should smoking be banned or should smokers have their rights too? Like stated in the film people know smoking is bad yet they still do it. Why? The movie puts a nice spin on the importance of information and looking at things from alternative views. It's nice to see Aaron Eckhart play a good solid role for once. I think his performance in this film was excellent and extremely believable. I think after this role we will be seeing him in more movies. William H. Macy also stars and shines yet again. Macy is one of the best actors in Hollywood who for years still never got the appreciation he deserves. Also Katie Holmes does a decent job although her character is extremely predictable. I personally think Holmes does a good job at playing bad girl roles like her role here and in "The Gift". The reason I think that is because she looks so innocent so when she comes out saying something like "I want to f*** you, when I watch you on TV" it seems out of the ordinary for her. This is also probably another reason why Tom Cruise loves her; she's probably a very bad girl outside the public eye. Even though this is Jason Reitman's first feature film he is one to keep an eye on. I feel as the time goes on he will become a very big director just like his father. Being that "Smoking" is his first film, I think he has already hit a home run. I think the guy has talent and as long as he keeps making good movies he will be just as big as his dad is someday. I like the message behind "Thank You For Smoking" but not the overall subject matter of the film. This movie provides its audience with fine acting, a good script and some nice directing. The film's idea also keeps its audience thinking. It's a good movie to watch with someone and then have a nice long talk with about it afterwards. It's a satirical look at the smoking issue although I still feel it tilts more towards one side than the other. But at the end of the day, it's a good independent film which you will be able to enjoy and appreciate.Read full review
Thank You For Smoking is similar to movies like Little Miss Sunshine, Juno, Rocket Science, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and other "Indie"-style (Independent) films for three reasons: 1) These films have original content: story lines, character build up, dialog, cinematography, etc. 2) These films have amazing actors and actresses who know how to play their parts. 3) These films have a great purpose than to just entertain I. Original Content Thank You For Smoking was a film with an original plot. The story follows Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) a "sexy, charismatic spin-doctor for Big Tobacco who'll fight ot protect America's right to smoke -- even if it kills him -- while still remaining a role model for his 12-year old son." The plot was amazing and unique. I've never seen a movie like Thank You For Smoking. It portrayed smoking, lobbying, politics, death, progression, and other repetitive Hollywood topics in such a different, stylish and original way. II. Good actors and actresses Aaron Eckhart is just one aspect of the cast. The film features William H. Macy, Adam Brody, Robert Duvall, Rob Lowe, Maria Bello, and Katie Holmes. These are all astounding actors and actresses who know how to play their parts. While a lot of these guys/gals are "Hollywood names" they seem to fit in to the "Indie"-style genre perfectly, not being overtly dramatic or overtly funny. They are all very witty and clever in their own subtle ways. III. More of a purpose than entertaining The most important reason to buy Thank You For Smoking is because it has a greater purpose than to just entertain the public. It really gives an educational perspective to men and women of all ages on the topic of spinning situations, lying, ethics, choosing between right and wrong, making a good argument, father-son relations, and general politics. The movie is appealing to almost anyone over the age of 16 who has a general understanding of our modern society. It shows a side that many people don't see because of the media's agenda setting personae: the life of those apart of the Tobacco industry. A lot of these people are just like Nick Naylor, normal guys and girls who just happened to take part in a highly hated industry. Many of these people, as illustrated in the movie, are just like you and I in a sense that they have family (sons and daughters), family problems (divorces), occupational dilemmas (bosses trying to steal ideas from their underlings), etc. Overall, Thank You For Smoking is a fantastic movie for anyone over the age of 16. It's open-minded and teaches teens and adults alike the importance of several topics. It stars a clever and talented cast while sporting a stylishly original plot line. A great buy.Read full review
Extraordinary film. I failed to see it in the theaters because the advertisements were a turn-off; I had no idea how the story line would unfold and regarded the ads as puerile and asinine. Watched the DVD and was fascinated by the handling of the story line and the overall presentation which pretty much lays it on the line on how the tobacco industry, Congress, and the media all work hand in glove. You can substitute virtually any major industry for tobacco, and it all works the same. The film should be required viewing for high school seniors and college freshmen so they can grasp how the world -- and politics -- actually works.
Still funny and real , even in the modern world, where liberal media is insane beyond the extreme satire of the 90ties
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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