Thank You for Smoking

source: Thank You for Smoking

"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. There was too much youthful snarkyness associated with the jokes. That arrogance caused me to feel very little towards the characters. I was glad they were just characters on the screen and that I would never really meet them. If you are young and enjoy the meanness and arrogant attitudes so common on TV and in popular media maybe you'll like the movie better than I. It's a shame because there was lots to like about the movie but it was too snarky for me.

Aaron Eckhart (Two Face) plays the ultimate spin doctor as a tobacco lobbyist. The movie is extremely funny and educational. It teaches people, and Aaron's son, not to accept the status quo in thinking, that there are alternative realities depending on how one wants to use spin it. A truly libertarian film to the point of absurdity. Great comedy no matter where your politics fall. Parental Guide: simulated sex, frequent F-bombs, no nudity.

This film is all the way designed to get under thin skins and piss everyone off. For me, that is what makes it work so well and why I have to sing its praises here. The characters are, yet likable. The satire is down and dirty, yet subtle. Digs at hypocritical corporations sink in well. Laughs van is had nor not. The important thing is it gives an unaplotgic. Uncorfstble looks at these things. At big tobacco and the people who try and stop them. At consumer culture, the dumb nature of humans. It's honest, that honesty steps just to the fire, but never covers itself in its own glory. So, ironically you can respect it.

Finally a funny movie about a social and cultural "issue" that does not take sides and paints just an original, fresh outlook. Hand Aaron Eckhart any award you can-he does it so effortlessly. Most movies these days are pure and complete garbage (who still finances this crap is beyond me). But not this one-most of the world agrees and promotes the fact that cigarettes are poison. It doesn't matter what you think of tobacco. Eckhart can take your opinion and put it back in your face. Like I said, nothing you think matters about the subject. Just watch and enjoy a socially neutral cinematic experience. Whether or not you smoke, watch the film.

Thankyou for Smoking is one of the funniest films I have seen in quite some time. The humour isn't crude but bitingly satirical. The great thing, though, is this movie is also extremely smart, which may seem weird as movies are not generally smart AND funny. Aaron Eckhart gives a fantastic and Oscar worthy performance as Nick Naylor, the lobbyist for Big Tobacco. All the other cast (Maria Bello, William H. Macy, Katie Holmes and David Koechner) give great performances. The script is funny and very witty. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets nominated for an Oscar. Overall this is an extremely funny film with great acting and a witty script. Highly recommended!! 4/5.

THANK YOU FOR SMOKING (2006) ***1/2 Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, Adam Brody, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, David Koechner, William H. Macy, JK Simmons, Robert Duvall, Kim Dickens, Rob Lowe, Todd Louiso, (cameos as themselves: Joan Lunden and Dennis Miller). Wickedly hilarious black comedy/satire based on the novel by Christopher Buckley about a quick-witted, scruples-lacking spokesman for Big Tobacco in the form of Nick Naylor (a never-been better Eckhart) whose penchant for spinning the truth only equals his duplicity until he faces trying to make the right impression for his young son (Bright). Funny, sharp and clever with a dream ensemble cast that is quick retorting gleefully politically incorrectness and with kudos to novice filmmaker Jason Reitman (son of comic auteur Ivan) for an audacious debut with echoes of Alexander Payne's flair for brilliant comic drama. One of the year's best comedies.

A funny smartly written movie in which the most powerful are those who use the English language the best. A perfectly casted lead surrounded by an ensemble of fine actors. Several morale issues are addressed although not the ones you might think. Rob Lowe's character is hilarious - especially for the one day of work he did. The whole MOD squad (Merchants of Death) is a good example of this movie not taking itself too seriously while still entertaining everyone. The take your dad to work day scene is also laugh out loud funny. Katie Holes characters rise and fall may for-tell her own marriage to Tome Cruise. This movie is a must see for anyone with an IQ over 80.

I think that if you want to spend a good evening, this is the movie. The story is very good and the dialogs witty. It is very sarcastic and even caustic but it will make you have a thought on what is the truth in our world. Everything here is discussed : how medias are manipulated, how big companies can decide what we see and what information we get. All the actors are very good, especially Rob Lowe playing president of EGO (nice acronym, huh ?) who is only sleeping on Sundays. If you are not convinced yet to go and rent this movie, I recommend that you take a look at the memorable quotes from the movie (available in the IMDb movie's file), you'll understand how funny and caustic it is.

Having just seen this movie and slept on it too, I have to admit it is one of the smartest celluloid storytelling that I have seen in a long time. It balances sarcastic humour with subtle social commentary, rapid-fire wit with narrative subtlety and most of all, is remains surprisingly neutral about the smoking issue (notice how there isn't a single person seen smoking on screen during the entire movie?). And to top it all off, it's his first feature film!! Come to think of it, now I really hate Jason Reitman. Go see this film, laugh your abdomen out, then see it again with a friend, repeat and rinse with absolute disregard for political correctness!