Thank You for Smoking is an excellent satirical comedy, and is a perfect slap in the face to the politically correct agenda of the time. It stars Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight, Suspect Zero), and is directed by Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air) in his feature film debut. 'R' rating is for language, and sexuality.
**spoiler alert**
Nick Naylor (Eckhart) is handsome, intelligent, and the smooth-talking lead spokesperson for "Big Tobacco". His job is to defend tobacco by publicly questioning research linking smoking to health impacts, and to advocate for personal choice to smoke. The story is narrated by Nick, and focuses on his relationships with his friends, his 12 year old son that he is trying to be a role model for, and how he does his job.
Every week Nick has dinner with friends Polly Bailey (Maria Bello) and Bobby Jo Bliss (David Koechner). Polly is a lobbyist for alcohol, while Bobby is lobbyist for firearms. The three humorously refer to themselves as the "Merchants of Death" and discuss the ups and downs they experience in each of their respective industries.
Because cigarette sales are down, especially among young smokers, Nick believes some product placement in movies will help boost the numbers. Nick is sent to Hollywood and he takes his son with him - teaching him about the "power of argument". Nick meets with Jeff Megall (Rob Lowe), an agent, attempting to convince him to have actors start smoking on-screen. Jeff seems onboard with Nick's ideas. Nick is also tasked with bribing Lorne Lutch (Sam Elliott), the original 'Marlboro Man', who now has cancer, to discontinue his campaign against smoking.
All seems to be going well for Nick until a tabloid reporter named Heather Holloway (Katie Holmes) - that Nick was sleeping with - blows the lid off all of Nick's recent spin tactics. Nick is fired, and it seems his hard work has been "undone". While initially depressed at this turn of events, Nick goes before a Senate hearing and argues successfully against over-zealous Senator Finistirre (William Macy), who wants to place a skull and cross bones on packs of cigarettes, getting this absurd measure defeated.
Reinvigorated, Nicks open a private lobbying firm, while Nick's son wins a school debate using the argument tactics his dad him throughout the film.
The beauty of this film is the writing and the dialogue execution. It is funny and sharp, with Eckhart still being able to come off as a very likable character, despite being a lobbyist for tobacco. I have to give extremely high praise to both Eckhart and to Reitman for the casting and direction. I highly recommend this film, I consider one of the best films of the 2000's. I would warn anyone who does not like satirical-type comedies because the air of this film is thick with it. (Get what I did there?)
Interesting Stuff:
- No one is seen smoking in the movie, which was intentional
- Sam Elliott's was based on the real-life Marlboro Man who did get cancer and advocated for anti-smoking legislation
- The screenplay is based on a book of the same name written by Christopher Buckley, whose father columnist William Buckley, died of emphysema.
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