Thank You for Smoking (2005)

Some of the best acting you out there Thank You For smoking is a a excellent character profile of Nick Naylor a tobacco lobbyist. The catchy cinematography and colorful environments keep you captivated in what becomes a rather insightful look into the world of politics and lobbyist. We venture from one location to another rapidly never pausing to soak in what we are looking at. It keeps you disoriented in a similar way to how Nick keeps his opponents disoriented with his quick wit and endless arguments. While you could hate Nate for his rather deplorable job he becomes likable by the end because his charisma overwhelms his other traits. Beyond just Nick the entire cast performs exceptionally giving us a host of wonderful characters to enjoy. Check out a more in depth review here. The in-depth review does contain spoilers. https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=NvTGGWtByFw

It's an old movie of 2006 (10 years!!) that I am reviewing but thought it would be worth it. Thank You For Smoking is one movie I feel everyone should watch. And no, it won't turn you into a smoker. Story (9/10): TYFS throws a satirical light on one of the less heard perspectives of the tobacco industry in the whole anti-smoking debate. However, the writer carefully keeps the main plot as a struggle of a father who works for the tobacco industry but still holds his ground in front of his son in spite of a very hostile environment. The conversations between Nick, the protagonist father, and Joey, his son, are profound as well as humorous. As rightly said, if you can defend tobacco, you can do anything. The part on the art of argumentation is inspiring, to say. Particularly impressive about the story is that all the characters are well defined and have a strong appeal, except may be that of Nick's wife. However, a strong character sketch of Nick Naylor as a handsome, smart, articulate, unapologetic and persuasive lobbyist lifts the whole story to the next level. The MOD trio just scales the topic of the movie to other similar territories. Acting (8/10): Aaron Eckhart has probably given one of his best acting performances in the movie. Though I always imagined De Caprio could have done more justice to this kind of a character. However, Aaron doesn't disappoint at all. The supporting cast, particularly Camaron Bright, the MOD squad, Holmes, Lowe and Macy do an amazing work. Direction (9/10): If the story and the topic makes the movie all so serious - Jason Reitman's direction and screenplay brings in the much required punch of humor (or we may say, satire) to the movie to make it enjoyable. And he saves the best for the last when Nick Naylor brings to the table what is actually needed for the society in the whole anti- smoking debate. Black comedy can be difficult but Reitman nails it beautifully. Overall (9/10): All in all, the movie is a must watch for everyone. One of the best Hollywood movies that you can keep in your collection.

'Thank You for Smoking' is a satire film written and directed by Jason Reitman based on the satirical novel of the same name by Christopher Buckley. The story follows Nick Naylor played by Aaron Eckhart, a lobbyist for the tobacco industry. We see him navigating his way through the ordeal of having to defend a seemingly 'evil' industry while facing the heat of hatred from senators, journalists and the public while simultaneously trying to be a role model for his 12 year old son.This is a film that truly surprised me because it doesn't shy away from throwing punches. Considering this was Reitman's debut, I can't praise him highly enough for his brilliant screenplay and almost masterful directorial work. The film is extremely funny and the dialogues are absolutely razor sharp ornamented with extreme wit. Reitman portrays both sides of the tobacco divide at their most genuine, raw and sometimes hypocritical and obnoxious states without pledging alliance to either of them. The voice-over narration and some other elements of the film did remind me of Goodfellas, but the film that it reminded me the most of was Kubrick's 'A Clockwork Orange'. This comparison is not based on how disturbing the two movies are because 'A Clockwork Orange' is much more disturbing than 'Thank You for Smoking'. I make this comparison because of the moral ambiguity of both films. Both films tactfully refuse to take sides in the morality conflict happening at the core of them. Another important factor that connects these two films is how critical a role 'free will' plays in them. In the end 'Thank You for Smoking' is less about the tobacco industry and more about the character Nick Naylor and his philosophies in life which he tries to share with his son. Having said that the tobacco angle in the film is still substantial and that makes this a great companion piece with the much more serious 'The Insider'. You can also find a lot of real life Hollywood references in 'Thank You for Smoking' which makes the themes in the film all the more relevant and poignant.Although the film has brilliant performances all across the board from actors like J.K. Simmons, Robert Duvall, Rob Lowe,etc., but this film does not work at all without the stupendous Aaron Eckhart. He drives this movie forward at times single-handedly. He is brilliant with his line delivery, he is charming and he is ravishingly funny without compromising the need to build a real character of Nick Naylor around the comedy.In my eyes, this is one of the best debuts that have materialised in Hollywood after the fall of the century. I have read that Reitman made many changes from the original novel for his screenplay and as far as I am concerned everything worked. His direction is brilliant. The tone remains light-hearted and humorous even though sensitive issues are being explored which is the best thing for a satire. I tried very hard to find a reservation that I might have against the movie, but I couldn't find any. This is a comedic near- masterpiece.

Lobbyist Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is the slick, amoral, sharp-tongue vice-President of the Academy of Tobacco Studies. He can spin any argument in favor of tobacco. BR (J.K. Simmons) is his loud bombastic boss. His best friends are alcohol lobby Moderation Council's Polly Bailey (Maria Bello) and gun lobby SAFETY's Bobby Jay Bliss (David Koechner). Their biggest opposition is Senator Ortolan Finistirre (William H. Macy). Tobacco baron, the Captain (Robert Duvall) puts him in charge of bringing tobacco back to Hollywood. His son Joey (Cameron Bright) guilts his ex-wife Jill (Kim Dickens) to let him go on the LA trip. Reporter Heather Holloway (Katie Holmes) has a fling with him and betrays him.Jason Reitman has filmed a brilliant and smart movie. The problem is that people are too stupid except for Nick. It's really frustrating to see stupid people failing to argue with Nick. The other problem is that the characters are all caricatures which takes away any poignancy. It also takes away the comedy. There are too many things that annoy which is the opposite of funny. It also feels too light and bright for the subject matter. Nick needs to be hiding something dark and ugly. He's more of a robot than a fully developed human being. Anything with Dennis Miller smirking is not funny. I don't feel for the guy or that annoying kid. The only guy I'm interested in is the guy who threatened him on Dennis Miller's show. It's one of the few moments where reality seeped into the performances and the movie. Even the kidnapping scene is problematic. Any kidnapper would want to shut him up by duct taping his mouth. The whole medical thing sounds unreal. This is such a smartly written movie but the general feeling from it is one of frustrating annoyance.