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A big thank you for "Smoking" |
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Written by MICHAEL JAMES ALLEN
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Friday, 24 March 2006 |
I’ll just admit it right up front: I’m a smoker, a half-a-pack a day man, and perfectly fine with it. What I’m not so fine with is when non-smokers come up to me day after day to tell me how unhealthy smoking is and ask me if I am aware of this fact.
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"Thank You for Smoking"
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 Entertainment
 Art
Written and directed by Jason Reitman
Based on the novel by Christopher Buckley
Starring Aaron Eckhart, William H. Macy, and Katie Holmes
Rated R for language and some sexual content
Released March 24, 2006
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I was particularly pleased, therefore, when “Thank You for Smoking,” the directorial debut of Jason Reitman (son of the director who ain’t-afraid-of-no-ghost, Ivan Reitman) addressed my own feelings. In one scene, BR (J.K. Simmons) proclaims to a board of tobacco executives: “We don’t sell Tic Tacs, we sell cigarettes. And they’re cool, available, and addictive. The job is almost done for us.”“Thank You for Smoking” has a wicked, politically-incorrect sense of humor, and is great fun because of it. The film tells the story of Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), the official spokesman for the tobacco industry and a man who can talk his way into or out of anything. “You know that guy who can talk his way into any girl’s bed?” he asks through a constant stream of narration. “I’m that guy. On crack.”
There isn’t much of a story in “Thank You for Smoking.” The film mainly follows Nick as he goes about his business—appearing on talk shows; convincing Hollywood executives to put more smoking scenes in movies; and appearing before a committee run by a Vermont Senator (William H. Macy) who wants to put comically large “Poison” label on the front of cigarette packs. All the while, Nick tries to teach his son (Cameron Bright) the importance of debate and argument in a free society.
The equal distribution of satire is probably the film’s biggest asset. There’s something for everyone in the film, and everyone gets skewered in equal amount. While smokers like me can snigger and laugh as hypocritical non-smokers get their comeuppance, the film really takes no stance on the tobacco issue (not a single person, in fact, is actually seen smoking throughout the entire thing). If “Thank You for Smoking” is trying to say anything, it’s that the freedom to debate and, even more importantly, make up your own mind is what makes America truly free. Luckily, the film remembers to be incredibly funny while it’s saying this.
So, whether you blacken your lungs or not, you should find something to laugh at in “Thank You for Smoking.” It’s a strong debut for Jason Reitman, and one of the funniest films of 2006 thus far. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
