“Michael Jordon plays ball. Charlie Manson kills people. I talk.”
Booze, guns, and cigarettes are our friends…..or so their spin doctors would have us believe. There’s one thing that I’ll not spin for you – this is one damn funny movie.
Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is currently in the employee of big tobacco. He’s the man who has to convince the general public that cigarettes are not harmful to them. The problem is that he’s damn good at his job. His immediate boss is BR (J. K Simmons), but the big boss is the last big man of tobacco called The Captain (Robert Duvall). He lunches with a group that have dubbed themselves the M.O.D. Squad, that’s Merchants of Death to the rest of us.
There’s Nick, Polly (Maria Bello) who represents big alcohol, and Bobby Jay (David Koechner) who represents big guns. Naylor’s latest setback is Senator Ortolan Finistirre (William H. Macy) who wants to push through a bill that will put the image of a skull and crossbones on each package of cigarettes. Not only does Naylor have to stop the Senator but he has to deal with the image that he’s projecting to his son Joey (Cameron Bright). Nick has the big idea, while watching a John Wayne movie where the Duke lights up, that what is needed is to convince Hollywood to start lighting up again (an idea that BR is happy to take credit for).
To that end, Nick and Joey travel to Hollywood to meet with super agent Jeff Megall (Rob Lowe) to see what it will take to make that happen. Well, Sony needs some financial assistance on their latest space opera and some co-financing can convince Catherine Zeta-Jones and Brad Pitt to smoke in space (But wouldn't they blow up in an all oxygen environment? Probably. But it's an easy fix. One line of dialogue. 'Thank God we invented the... you know, whatever device.').
Nick Naylor, tobacco apologist
While in Hollywood he has to deliver a “payment” to ex-Marlboro Man Lorne Lutch (Sam Elliott) who’s dying of lung cancer and wanting to rat out the tobacco industry. Nick’s also giving an interview to gorgeous reporter Heather Holloway (Katie Holmes), but will he keep has lips shut or will he, as the MOD Squad predicts, spill his guts for a nice pair of tits? Will Nick be able to be a positive role model for his son and work in his chosen industry?
Thank You for Smoking (TYFS from now on) is a damn funny movie, but it is also a satire on spin doctors. If you thought that Jonathan Swift was serious when he wrote “A Modest Proposal” calling for the fattening of poor Irish children so that they could be fed to rich landowners – then you don’t understand satire. What TYFS has is a window into our modern society where all information is spun for the spinner’s purposes.
What is also has is an excellent performance by the smiling Aaron Eckhart playing a man we’re supposed to despise, but can’t help liking. It’s the excellent performances that also make the movie so great. Everyone is expertly cast. Standouts include Robert Duvall, Rob Lowe, William H. Macy, Maria Bello, and David Koechner. Katie Holmes (aka Mrs. Tom Cruise) in my opinion doesn’t do anything to really make her stand out in what is really a small part.
According to rumor those “gorgeous tits,” that are made so much of at the MOD Squad meeting, are not seen thanks to Tom’s interference. I guess that’s another thing to dislike him about. Cameron Bright also stands out as Naylor’s son who is gradually adopting his gift of gab.
Thank You for Smoking is presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.40:1) and enhanced for 16x9 television. A separate fullscreen version is also available, but I’ve heard that fullscreen gives you retinal cancer.
The Merchants of Death
Special features include two commentaries. The first is a solo commentary with director Jason Reitman. The second is with Reitman and actors Aaron Eckhart and David Koechner. There’s also 15 minutes of deleted scenes with an optional director’s commentary.
Next is an 18 minute segment of the Charlie Rose Show with director Jason Reitman, author Christopher Buckley (who wrote the novel that the movie is based on), producer David O. Sacks, and Aaron Eckhart. There’s also the 8 minute “Unfiltered Comedy.” It has interviews with Reitman, Eckhart, Maria Bello, William H. Macy, and David Koechner.
The 4 minute “America: Living in Spin” follows and interviews the same people but adds Dennis Miller (who appears in the movie) and Rob Lowe to the mix. Things are rounded out with a poster art gallery, art department gallery, storyboard gallery, the theatrical trailer, and a 30 second spot for the soundtrack.
Thank You for Smoking is a funny film, but those that don’t understand satire and believe that fullscreen DVDs give you ocular cancer should not apply. Fullscreen DVDs are just evil and a tool of Satan and will just give you an unsightly, itchy rash. I lied about the cancer bit. Mea culpa.
The Captain
But seriously folks, Thank You for Smoking is very funny and features an excellent performance from Aaron Eckhart. A funny movie and well worth the rental, just make sure you pick up a pack of Marlboros along with it. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
Thank You For Smoking is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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