NoFace for Film

Title: Thank You for Smoking
Year: 2006
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring Cast: Aaron Eckhart, William H. Macy, Cameron Bright

NoFace for Film rating: 7 out of 7

I love satirical comedy films. They’re so snarky, clever, deliciously sarcastic, and with a lot of bite. Thank You for Smoking is a perfect example of such a film. It’s a shame that it didn’t win this week at the Golden Globes. Then again, it didn’t really stand a chance against the unstoppable Dreamgirls train.

Nick Naylor (Eckhart) is, by all accounts, the bad guy. As the chief spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies, it’s Nick’s job to charm the public and keep them puffing away. Not surprisingly, Nick is constantly challenged by the media, politicians, and others to prove that smoking isn’t addictive and harmful- challenges which Nick gladly welcomes. Nick is fantastic at his job. He’s the type of guy who can sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo. He’s also good looking, charming, witty, and clever. Nick is also a loving father to his 12-year-old, impressionable son Joey (Bright), who is under the custody of Nick’s ex-wife. The film follows Nick around the country as he does his job. In an attempt to bond with his son, Nick brings Joey along on these trips.

Thank You for Smoking doesn’t really take sides. It’s not a message against smoking or against political correctness. Rather, society’s concerns toward smoking are used as a backdrop on the real issue in the film- a father’s love for his son. Nick wants Joey to accept him. Although he’s believes in his craft, even Nick understands deep down that some of his deeds are questionable, and tries to hide them from Joey. What’s interesting is that, while Nick isn’t really featured as a “bad guy”, certain characters who are normally considered to be the “good guys” are rather unlikable, such as the Vermont senator (Macy) who makes it his mission to destroy Nick and the Tobacco industry.

Thank You for Smoking is chock-full of great actors. I have never seen Eckheart anywhere else, but by jove he’s funny. I hope we see more of him in the future. Macy is great as his nemesis senator. You can’t help but laugh when he aggressively defends Vermont’s cheese with a stony face. Bright is a great, budding young actor. He’s not quite Dakota Fanning, but he has potential. But the funniest actors were the supporting cast. Maria Bello and David Koechner, who respectively play Polly Bailey and Bobby Jay Bliss, lobbyists for the alcohol and firearms industries. Nick, Polly, and Bobby Jay form the MoD, or Merchants of Death. Some of the best scenes in the film involve their weekly dinner meetings as the trio compare notes on number of deaths caused by their products. Actors with cameos were also great, with Rob Lowe as an eccentric Hollywood producer with a love for all things Asian, and Robert Duvall as the cranky head of the Tobacco Company.

I highly recommend Thank You for Smoking. It’s funny, it’s sharp, it’s heartwarming, and overall just a great film.

Technorati Tags: Thank You for Smoking, Aaron Eckheart, tobacco industry, spin doctor

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