Thank You For Smoking Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
America is living in spin
There's no smoke without liars.
Nick Naylor doesn't hide the truth. . . he filters it.
Tobacco industry lobbyist Nick Naylor has a seemingly impossible task: promoting cigarette smoking in a time when the health hazards of the activity have become too plain to ignore. Nick, however, revels in his job, using argument and twisted logic to place, as often as not, his clients in the positions of either altruistic do-gooders or victims. Nick's son Joey needs to understand and respect his dad's philosophy, and Nick works hard to respond to that need without compromising his lack of values. When a beautiful news reporter betrays Nick's sexually-achieved trust, his world seems in danger of collapsing. But there's always one more coffin nail in Nick's pack.
| Aaron Eckhart | Nick Naylor |
| Maria Bello | Polly Bailey |
| Cameron Bright | Joey Naylor |
| Adam Brody | Jack |
| Sam Elliott | Lorne Lutch |
| Katie Holmes | Heather Holloway |
| David Koechner | Bobby Jay Bliss |
| William H. Macy | Senator Ortolan Finistirre |
| J.K. Simmons | BR |
| Robert Duvall | Captain |
| Kim Dickens | Jill Naylor |
| Rob Lowe | Jeff Megall |
| Todd Louiso | Ron Goode |
| Dennis Miller | Himself |
| Joan Lunden | Herself |
| Jason Reitman |
7.90 out of 10 (24553 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Hilarious and poignant satire
posted on 15 Aug 2009When I originally heard about Thank you For Smoking, I expected to be walking into a very funny (I was quite impressed by the trailer, I admit) anti-smoking smear campaign. Which, to be fair, it is easy to see this movie becoming, but director/screenwriter Jason Reitman is much more intelligent than that. He doesn't try to turn his movie into some huge, Michael Moore style aggressive takedown, but instead refrains from taking sides on the issue at hand, as doing so would make the film no better than what it satirises. Instead, Reitman focuses less on the right/wrong of the industry, and more on the man who represents it: Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart, perfectly cast) chief lobbyist and spin artist for the tobacco industry. The film chronicles the journey of Naylor as he peruses through his daily life, spinning, sweet talking, and basically trying his absolute hardest to win as many people as possible over to the idea that smoking is cool. As would be suspected, near the end, Naylor begins to question the morality of his work - a decision which is definitely helped by a very near death experience, a horrifyingly confidential news article written by a seductive reporter (Katie Holmes) and the constant nagging sense that he is being a bad father by permitting his son (a brilliant Cameron Bright) to idolise his less than morally sound profession. The storyline is compelling indeed, with a rapid-fire and very clever script always managing to stay one step ahead of itself and the audience all the way through. At many occasions during the movie, the storyline seems to hint at stumbling a bit, which leads us to fear the pace might be broken and the mood ruined. (ie: the introduction of a romance element, Naylor's relationship with his son both hint at being too sentimental) Needless to say, this never happens, Reitman is far too intelligent to fall prey to such common storytelling traps, and the plot moves along quickly and surely, never faltering along the way. One might interpret the character of Naylor as an antagonistic figure, but Eckhart's wonderfully skewed charisma keeps us rooting for the character even if his winning speeches become more and more disgusting. (declaring on public television that he wouldn't want a cancerous 15 year old to die because he would be losing a customer has to set some new standards of low) But Eckhart's wonderful lead performance is backed by several other highly entertaining inputs from the talented supporting cast. What seems surprising is how youngest cast member, 13 year old Cameron Bright delivers one of the most impressive performances (although it does help that he gets some of the best lines the superb script has to offer - "please don't ruin my childhood" when his father appears to talk to his class) However, some of the film's funniest scenes are also provided by Naylor's "Mod Squad", comprised of himself and the main spokespeople for the alcohol and firearms industries (Maria Bello and David Koechner, both hilarious, in particular Koechner) and there are also enjoyable little roles from Robert Duvall as the head of the tobacco industry, Sam Elliot as the grizzled, former face of Marlboros cigarettes, Rob Lowe, Adam Brody, and J.K. Simmons as Naylor's very J. Jonah Jameson esq, yet still unreasonably enjoyable boss. All in all, Thank you for Smoking is one of those few films that manage to be funny, profound, and just draw the line before preaching and overt sentimentalism. It makes some genuinely important points about media, society's reaction to it, and, well... smoking in general. (it's also interesting to note that despite the subject matter, never once do we see anyone light up throughout the entire film) Thank you for smoking is a very relevant film, and would prove important and thought provoking viewing for the majority of society. And hell, it's really well made, intelligent and, above all else, funny as well... what's to lose really? -9/10
nice guys don't always finish last
posted on 11 Aug 2009Thank you for smoking follows Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) through his eventful career as Big Tobacco's chief spokesman and lobbyist. The plot is essentially about how he distorts and manipulates the real truth about cigarettes while all the time remaining a role model for his 12 year old son. Nick Naylor essentially has no real friends except two other like-minded spin doctors (David Koechner and Maria Bello) who are in the same business of fact distortion and public misinformation. Through their meetings we get an idea of the turmoil and moral quandaries the trio encounter and there ability to deal with the conflict is all too amusing and entertaining. His nemeses Senator Ortolan K. Finistirre (Willaim H Macy) is head of the anti smoking lobby and his futile attempts to smear Nick Nailers spin-doctor routine is what fuels most of the best exchanges. This is perfect material for a good satire and its laid on think and fast with double entente, metaphor and a heavy dose of irony thrown in for good measure. For the most part it works. The script has enough wit and original ideas to keep your interest.In one particular scene he tries to explain to his son in simple terms what exactly he does for a living by using the analogy of the ice cream his son is enjoying during his day trip. He asks his son to prove why his flavor of ice cream is more enjoyable than his Dads. His answer finally appeases the viewers curiosity after almost an hour into the story giving us a glimpse of the reasons behind his actions in a very entertaining fashion while at the same time giving his son a valuable moral lesson on right and wrong. The cast is impressive with Eckhart playing the nice guy protagonist with ease. Willaim H. Macy has a couple of good one liners but Jeff Megallis (Rob Lowe), a Hollywood big wig - is a scene stealer. Katie Holmes is just OK as the reporter and Cameron Bright as the son seemed at odds with some of the more well written lines. His dialog seemed inappropriate but didn't correlate to the mind set of a 13 year old boy. There a few noteworthy scenes after this with the kidnapping scene involving an anti smoking group one to admire. However the court room scenario at the end didn't work for me and lacked the humor and wit that carried earlier exchanges. I hoped the ending would provide some catchy tie-up or amusing anecdote to transcend what was conveyed earlier on but the final scenes seemed hackneyed and failed to continue the good momentum it built up earlier on. An entertaining satire let down by an average ending.
charming and funny
posted on 03 Aug 2009I adored this movie and laughed my way through it. Aaron Eckhart was a perfect casting choice; the only other person I can think of who has that kind of million-watt grin is George Clooney, but I honestly don't think even he could have carried this role so well. The only flaw was Katie Holmes; it's not so much that she's a bad actor, or has the Tom Cruise taint, as that she just looks too young. And given that she's ten years younger that Eckhart, maybe she simply IS too young. I don't think she was horrible, just that she was so poorly cast, and frankly couldn't hold her own in such a fantastic ensemble.Nevertheless, the constant tongue-in-cheek wittiness throughout the film keeps it flowing along even at the slowest moments. Naylor's comeback to Heather Holloway's expose is classic and hysterical. Rob Lowe shines and deserved more screen time, and William H. Macy, as always, takes what could have been a stereotyped character and gives it a real personality.Where I think the movie excels, however, is its ending. If Naylor had backed down at the end and had a Hollywood-style change of heart, it would have ruined the whole film for me. This movie wasn't about a happy ending; it was a satire, pure and simple. Naylor admitting he wouldn't let his son smoke and then moving on to be a lobbyist for Amnesty International wouldn't have been satisfying or true to the film.Reitman deserves major kudos, not only for refusing to moralizing at the end, but also for making his debut film such a success. If he continues to follow in his father's footsteps, I expect great things to come.
A Smart, Funny, Delightful Comedy
posted on 01 Aug 2009I have read the book and would like to say that this is one of the best books I have read in God knows when. The main character Nick is often compared to Satan. The mans wit and humorous comments and politically incorrect facts makes him even more likable. Nick is a spokesperson for Big Tobacco while trying to remain a role model for his 12 year old son. William H. Macy, Robert Duvall, Katie Holmes and Adrien Brody co-star in this hilarious comedy directed by Jason Reitman based on the book with the same title by Christopher Buckley. The most interesting part in the whole movie is how not one cigarette is shown being smoked in the whole movie. This film was the most popular and probably the best at this years Sundance Film Festival. Jason Reitman is an upcoming film director with a lot of potential as shown in this film. Thank You For Smoking gets 2 big thumbs up!
thank you for quality
posted on 28 Jul 2009OH this was great. Nothing imparticular prompted my Hubby and I to see this just a free night away from the kids! We were so surprised by the very clever lines and the quirky characters,Rob Lowe, who, as an actor I deeply admire was brilliantly over the top, his assistant was instantly irritating and Robert Duvall wonderfully cringe worthy as the kind-of-nasty but focused boss. The main characters were perfect and this funny unpredictable story was well written brilliantly acted and really wonderful to watch. Even Katie Holmes (who is no personal favorite of mine)was very funny, unpleasant and well suited to the role of 'nympho journo'! If you want a laugh and a movie that moves along at a cracking pace this is the one for you! Enjoy!
Breezy satire
posted on 28 Jul 2009Great fun although I think this film is much more comedy than substantive satire. Aaron Eckhardt is super, charming, even slightly goofy but all-American. Neither he nor Reitman makes the mistake over becoming over reflective or earnest.The film is more than a satire of the anti-intuitive, self-contradicting business of tobacco. It's also a satire about the media, the active arm of the lobbying industry. It's an effective assassin of this target as it treats this target casually. Disdain is the roughest form of comedy.The cast is large, high-quality and almost entirely perfect. William H Macy as the suicidally righteous senator and JK Simmons as the bluff BR are at the top of the list of good reasons to watch this film. 6/10
Reitman and an Inspired Cast Produce a Dagger-Driven Satire Full of Well-Earned Laughs
posted on 26 Jul 2009Aaron Eckhart made his first vivid big-screen impression as the misogynistic Chad in Neil LaBute's scathing 1997 "In the Company of Men". Since then, he has been waffling in leading man roles, but luckily, he comes back to form as the appropriately named Nick Naylor, tobacco industry lobbyist extraordinaire, in first-time director/writer Jason Reitman's wonderfully acerbic comedy about the power of media spin around the availability of cigarettes despite inescapable evidence that smoking kills. The film's perspective is ruthlessly cynical and most of the characters morally ambiguous, but those are the primary reasons why this movie sizzles full of shrewd insights about political gamesmanship in both the public and private sectors. The zigzag plot follows Nick from the bogus, cigarette company-funded Academy of Tobacco Studies to the pretentiously Zen office of an equally pretentious Hollywood Studio mogul to a dicey encounter with a former Marlboro man to the welcoming arms of an ambitious reporter. The unpredictable journey provides Reitman an opportunity for both broad, whack-a-mole comedy to piercing, observant zingers that resonate with the truths they expose.Reitman has recruited a first-class cast to bring his brittle satire to life starting with a superb turn by Eckhart, who alternates easily between unapologetically smug and begrudgingly likable. At their favorite watering hole, Nick's two lobbyist buddies are played with barbed precision by David Koechner as the Bush-sound-alike firearms specialist and especially the wondrous Maria Bello as the sharp-tongued alcohol representative. There are also inspired turns from very unlikely sources with Rob Lowe hilarious as Jeff Megall, the honey-voiced, Asia-obsessed mogul; Sam Elliott defiantly cagey as the Marlboro Man; and even Katie Holmes surprisingly convincing as Heather Holloway, the morally bankrupt reporter who appears to be Nick's kindred spirit. Scene stealing is quite democratic with clever turns by Robert Duvall as the tobacco kingpin; William H. Macy as the unctuous, anti-tobacco senator from Vermont looking to put a skull-and-crossbones logo on all packs of cigarettes; J.K. Simmons as Nick's immoral boss BR; and a very funny Adam Brody as Lowe's obnoxious assistant.Beginning with the inventive artwork of the opening credits, the plot goes in unexpected directions, and while the ending is a bit soft, the overall movie more than satisfies. In fact, I doubt if I have laughed harder in a movie theater since last year's "The 40 Year-Old Virgin", but the smart, provocative barbs really make you think about the persistent hypocrisy of big business and government in refreshing ways that are not remotely disdainful. Even the comparatively soft-centered scenes of Nick with his son have a nice edge, and with his translucent blue eyes, Cameron Bright strikes the right, non-judgmental notes as Joey. Reitman seems fully capable of bringing an acidic flavor to the most Capra-esquire situation. This one is highly recommended.
Not suitable for Adults
posted on 26 Jul 2009I have seen movies that brought tears to my eyes by being so blatantly dull. Never have I walked out of a movie, though. But this time I couldn't sit still at all. I wanted to run away and scream in agony. I couldn't stand any more of these dreadful performances, these mind-numbing dialogs and the simple minded structure of this failure that they dare call a movie. How could anyone EVER give this movie a good rating? For Christ's sake, people! Aaron Eckhart seems like a snotty brat in an adult suit. Apparently, the failure lies with Jason Reitmans. It appears as though he chose only the worst takes to end up in the movie. The all-over impression I got was that they tried hard to make a lukewarm film about the tobacco industry for an audience of breast-fed kids. You could force a man to drink alcohol to a point at which he's merely able to breathe by himself, shoot his brains out and he would STILL grasp that endlessly blunt plot with an ease! They smash this flat story right in our face - nothing to think about! It's all there, just that it is of a quality similar to a bad joke. And then it's over and you feel sick, like you know you've been eating too much of that Junk Food again.I wanted to spit right into Jason Reitmans face when I went out of the cinema. He should have flushed this mistake down the toilet instead of releasing it! Honestly, I can't think of a movie worse to this one. That's because all those "Worst Movie Ever" candidates were so bad, they reached a point at which they were good because of their missing quality - in the end, they were amusing! But this film reaches the peak of bad taste and has the brass to sustain that level TO - THE - END.I'd buy the DVD ... only to smash it into smithereens for my personal satisfaction.
Funny movie: looks at ALL sides of the debate
posted on 22 Jul 2009I saw this at Sundance last night (actually it was a Salt Lake screening, and thus the filmmakers didn't bother to drive 30 miles to talk to us...not that I am bitter...) At first I was a bit worried that this was going to be the old hat anti smoking movie that makes all smokers victims of the eeeeevil tobacco companies, but then I saw that it was based on a Christopher Buckley novel and I relaxed a bit! This pokes fun at all sides of the issue, from the tobacco lobbyist's insistence that there has been "no conclusive proof" that tobacco is harmful, to the legislator's thinking that putting a warning label on cigarettes will actually make someone pick up a cigarette package, read the label, and decide not to smoke...as if ANYONE with half a brain doesn't know that inhaling smoke into your lungs will harm you.Aaron Eckhart did a fine job in his role, as did Sam Elliot, Rob Lowe, Katie Holmes...I could go on and on. It's fascinating to watch Eckhart's character spin and spin so that he brings people around to his way of thinking. He has to be representing one of the most hated industries in the United States, yet he is able to convince people as to the opposite! I highly recommend this film!
Thank you for smoking
posted on 18 Jul 2009This movie was on my list of viewing because it was shown and ran at Amsterdam theatres for long; but not in the Pathe theatres where I hold my pass. So when Pathe was running these special PAC movies re-run, I grabbed the opportunity to see the movie with my colleague's son Felix who had come for a flying visit from Zurich to meet his Dad.The story is about Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) who is lobbyist for the smoking industry in US. His job is to convince people that smoking is not actually bad – no scientific research has proved it so. It is as bad as eating cheese that increases cholesterol levels. He is an argumentative talker who can confidently find logic to prove that he is right. The movie tries to project the American culture and way of life – the alcohol, the gun, the press, the senators – all of them, at what levels people can easily stoop to earn a living. As Nick Naylor says, all he does is just to pay the mortgage.The movie is a satirical comedy and should be seen in that way. It is made from a book with the same title. People, who have read the book, have not liked the movie. But those who have not read the book, for them the movie was pretty good.This is the first time directorial debut for short film maker Jason Reitman. He was done a commendable job here. Aaron Eckhart has tried to play this negative character with great conviction and humor. The other good character I like who plays the senator in the movie is William Macy. He is as good as ever, but little under used.Everyone knows smoking is bad, but Americans – as their true image – can sell anything with so much stupid conviction – that it can become believable. Their confidence, calmness and smiling face in the face of adversity to pull out arguments for something so deadly as smoking is shown is great way.Last thing I would add is – all humans stoop to do terrible things not for paying mortgage – but with the desire to get rich. And which other place can there be the best example other than USA. That is America for you on the platter! I liked the movie, go and get a DVD if you want to see the American way of life.(Stars 6.5 out of 10)
A Smart, Funny Comedy
posted on 12 Jul 2009The movie paints a good picture of what the smoking industry and anti-smoking activists are probably like, and doesn't feed us bullshit. When it comes right down to it, it's a person's own choice whether or not they want to smoke, and while the smoking industry may use shady marketing tactics, every industry out there uses propaganda to get people to buy their product. There's two sides to every argument, and regardless of how you feel about tobacco it's going to be somebody's job to defend it and somebody's job to cut it down.Intelligent, witty, hilarious, and...is that even a hint of sarcasm I sense? Great film, just go see it already.
Finally, Something Original
posted on 08 Jul 2009At long, long last, a movie for which I can write a positive commentary. And to think I wouldn't have even gone out of my way to see this film, had it not been for the good luck of winning tickets on the radio.Nick Naylor's omnipresent smirk is symbolic of this film's wry wit. Now, its not the vile, "George W. Bush smirk". Its a "kid playing a joke smirk".The writing is clever and human. Except for an absurd kidnapping, the story is very human, as well are the characters. The acting is superb.I found myself laughing out loud. The theater erupted in applause at the conclusion. The American film-going public needs more films like Thank You for Smoking. We need fewer remakes of old classics. We need fewer copfilms, chases, special effects, heists and super heroes and more good writing and original ideas.My hat is off to Jason Reitmann.
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING and THANK YOU 4 This Great Film!
posted on 06 Jul 2009Once and again, Fox Searchlight has given us hope that there really is good American film and solid acting, and in THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, this film portrays all the evils of an American culture that simply brings to light the bullshit that we see today in the USA, from the evils of how "spin doctors" can turn smoking into a "pleasure", and of course, the plasticity and crap created by a major Hollywood talent agency,to the ever present cancer,"Corporatism", which simply places the stockholder and Chief Executive above the rest of us.Aaron Eckhart had better be remembered in the award season ahead as he just makes this film his own from the first frame to the last. And, with his great performance from IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, he just becomes better with every film he makes. The supporting cast is such a delight to watch as they capture their characters superbly. Solid writing, editing and the joy of intelligent performances makes THANK YOU FOR SMOKING one film to be remembered come Oscar 2007.
A Satirical Success
posted on 06 Jul 2009Although the subject matter has and always will be contentious - the film, which was always created to have a comedic charm is a satirical success.Aaron Eckhart, who is engaging throughout, plays a lobbyist for the multi-national tobacco industry. Although we are meant to dislike such a figure he is so charming, well-mannered, well-conversed that you cannot help but be happy to be follow his escapades.The film works very well on the satirical level. The script is very good because it can mix the comedic nature of the film with the undercurrent of the issues it is trying to address. On a personal level the way in which Eckhart delivers his defence of the tobacco industry is an engaging insight into the world of spin.It is pleasing to see a film that is not prolonged in running time, and finishes at just the right moment. Entertaining and informative, with the right amount of fun and laughter 'Thank you for Smoking' is a well delivered piece of cinema.
Smart, witty, but somewhat hollow
posted on 20 Jun 2009I heard a lot about this movie before watching it, and all the reviews have been generally positive. Add that to my interest in the tobacco industry and the theme of the movie (a look at a spin-doctor for the tobacco lobby groups), I was probably expecting a little too much. Don't get me wrong, the movie was clever, well acted, and there were some great lines throughout. But I just felt something was missing. I haven't pinpointed what that is, but there doesn't seem to be much of a "point" to the movie. Even with that flaw, I still give it an 8 out of 10 just because of the cleverness and the acting.Aaron Eckhart, known mainly for his role in "The Core", does a brilliant job playing the tobacco spin doctor lobbyist who can seem to talk his way out of ANYTHING. I mean, he's so good he can convince you that killing your friends and parents is a good thing! To play this character, you really need to be suave, yet seem intelligent enough to convince the audience that it's not just an actor reading the lines, but the actual person possessing this miraculous gift that he has. Aaron pulls that off very well. He does it so well that you actually start liking him and rooting for him near the end of the movie, scary! I also enjoyed all the great satire this movie provides. The scenes where the M.O.D. squad (merchants of death) talk about who kills the most people per day, and the one where Aaron's character convinces school kids that smoking is not bad for you, are a pure joy to watch. You laugh at how over the top and un-PC these characters are in the movie, yet if you think about it, the way Aaron crafts his arguments do make sense, and that is the scariness of his talent.As I mentioned before, I wish there was a bit more substance to this movie, and the father-son story could have been reduced a bit. But, I still believe this is a witty and intelligent movie that's for anyone looking for a good laugh and don't get easily offended.
Interesting, thought-provoking, and dark
posted on 16 Jun 2009That's my kind of movie.The previous reviewer summed up my feelings pretty well.One thing I did notice about this film, and I don't see that anyone has mentioned it yet: NO ONE SMOKES IN THIS MOVIE.Really, there is not one cigarette shown other than in advertising posters and set decoration. No characters smoke on screen. At one point, the main character goes for a cigarette but is out. I think that's the closest we come to seeing someone smoke.Funny.
Not a sharp or acerbic satire but more of a gently mocking comedy that has laughs and a consistently enjoyably tone
posted on 14 Jun 2009Nick Naylor is a talented man who is employed as one of the top spokesmen for "Big Tobacco". Sure he has to keep the alleged "truth" about the health effects, contributing to the death of 1200 people each and every day, but he's got to pay the mortgage just like the rest of us. He is separated from his wife but still wants to be a role model to his son while also pursuing his chosen career. Summoned to meet with The General (one of the last great tobacco barons), Nick is put in charge of pushing through new ways of promoting smoking while also defeating a push by Senator Finistirre to put a skull and crossbones on the front of every cigarette packet sold in the country.If the plot summary sounds like this film has a definite narrative flow to it then I'm sorry for misleading you because, although it moves in a certain direction, it isn't that tight a story. It probably didn't help either that I had literally been in a different cinema watching Dr Strangelove an hour before I watched this film because this was never going to be able to compare (no matter what the current IMDb rating says!). The comedy isn't that sharp and in terms of satire this is about as mean as a poodle. This lack of teeth is evident from the very start where the opening credits are kind of cool, comic and fun; in the same way the comedy is cool, funny, enjoyable but not really something that rips into its subject with an acerbic wit that I expected. Part of me was thinking this at times that this was a problem but then I realised that it actually wasn't that big a deal.The reason is that, sure it ain't a sharp satire, but it is a fun comedy with a general swagger and a great ear for dialogue. The story wanders and tends to go off in directions that it drops or doesn't follow through, but by staying with Nick at least we have a focal point that is interesting and engaging. I did have a bit of a problem swallowing Nick's sudden massive lack of professional judgement and the fact that it is a key part of the plot made the film seem to stall for a while, but such moments were mostly covered by the pace and energy of the majority. The targets are easy but the manner of writing produces a great feel of mocking them from the inside rather than being outside throwing stones. The "gentle mocking" approach takes away the edge but it makes the film easier to enjoy. It has a steadily amusing air to it while also throwing in lines, characters and touches that made me laugh out loud. Reitman may not be the future of satire but he can certainly do comedy and this film is all the better for this work as director and screen writer.The cast is deep and everyone gets a piece (albeit mostly small pieces). The film belongs to Eckhart who has proved (Company of Men etc) that he seems to find it easy to play characters whose moral compasses are way off. He is as charming as he is soulless and he is a delight to watch – a major force in the film being as engaging as it was. The support cast includes some real heavyweight names such as Duvall, Bello, Elliott, Holmes, Macy, Simmons, Lowe and others. Generally the quality is high but I found the presence of Holmes to be a distraction and her "fully clothed" sex scenes to be pretty laughable – her lack of genuine sex appeal and chemistry here made her part of the plot much harder to buy.Overall then this is not the sharp, acerbic satire that some reviewers would have you believe it is – it simply hasn't got the teeth or the balls for that. But this shouldn't matter too much because what it does do is produce a consistently fun atmosphere that is cynical without wandering away from being pretty mainstream in delivery. The cast are mostly very good but Eckhart dominates with a great lead role while the material keeps the laughs coming on a fairly regular basis.
Fundamentally Unfunny
posted on 14 Jun 2009With such a wide and talented cast aside from Holmes, one would expect something decent. This movie is far from decent. It isn't abominably bad, but it fails to do what it aims, make people laugh and possibly comment on America's mores. It is a fundamentally unfunny film. I laughed a few times, but these moments were few and far between. In some ways it is worse than movies that are truly awful, for they're funnier in the way they're lousy. This one was just fruitless.Berardinelli said it best when he said "Thank You for Smoking hovers around mediocrity and its lasting impression is like a puff of smoke that is dissipated by a strong gust of wind."
Stuffed with Very Smart Laughs
posted on 12 Jun 2009I saw this film at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival. At the film festival a few years back, I saw an incredibly accomplished short film called In God We Trust, and I vowed that if young Jason Reitman (son of Canadian director Ivan Reitman) ever made a feature film, I'd run out and see it. I kept my promise, and Reitman delivers on his.Aaron Eckhart is Nick Naylor, the tobacco industry's spin doctor. He is very good at what he does, and manages to be likable while saying and doing despicable things. In this biting satire, Eckhart doesn't really have any epiphanies, but he thinks he does. After an ill-advised affair with the reporter doing a profile on him, his secrets get out and he loses his job. But after a bravura performance at some Senate hearings, Big Tobacco wants him back. Claiming to have a "responsibility" to his young son, he refuses the job. Instead, by the end, he's set himself up in business advising all sorts of other icky corporations.The film is stuffed with very smart laughs, and I liked the fact that Nick emerges unrepentant at the end. It just sharpens the satire, that this man actually thinks he's now a better person. The tone of the film reminded me quite a bit of Alexander Payne's Election, though the comedy is much broader.Reitman loses his deft touch slightly near the end of the film. Up to this point, no one has been seen actually smoking in the film. After a bizarre attempt on his life, Nick is told that he has to quit smoking. It's a bit incongruous and it's never mentioned again. I suspect that this is much funnier in the novel by Christopher Buckley on which the film is based.I would definitely recommend this film, not only for its skewering of the tobacco industry (standing in for all corporations, really), but also for its jabs at Washington and Hollywood as well. No one is spared. You'll even get to see Rob Lowe in a kimono!
And this was SUPPOSED to be funny?!
posted on 17 Aug 2009That was THE LEAST funny film I have ever seen. It had no love or compassion, it had no morals or light at the end of the tunnel. The sad part is the man passed his immorality on to his OWN SON! He basically told him not care about other people as long as your being successful. I'm sure that the atheists went ko Koo about it, but the truth was it depressed me. I don't know why everyone likes it so much. It was so boring I almost had to walk out. One scene was majorly inappropriate and very gross. It practically said it's o.k. to smoke kids so come on down! And thats NOT o.k. So if you were considering watching this insanity may I suggest changing your plans?