Thank You For Smoking
Comedy
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“Thank You For Smoking” is an interesting yet satirical look at freedom of choice in America.
“Thank You for Smoking” is a movie based on a novel by the same name. Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is a lobbyist for the Academy of Tobacco. His job is to spin the negative views and mindsets of smoking into a positive light. But when Senator Ortolan Finistirre (William H. Macy) wants to put a poison sticker on every carton of cigarettes, it’s up to Nick to stop it. An interesting and funny movie ensues...
I felt very indifferent when I walked out of “Thank You For Smoking” this evening. A part of me really enjoyed it yet another part wasn’t sure what to think of it. One thing for certain is “Thank You for Smoking” is not for everyone. This movie is definitely one for people who enjoy thinking when they go to the movies. While the film is overall pretty predictable, the movie keeps the viewer interested and thinking. I can’t remember a film in recent memory that actually do this as well as “Thank You For Smoking” does.
Some say the subject matter in this film i.e. to smoke or not to smoke is equally weighed. I personally didn’t feel that way at all. I felt the overall tone for the movie was geared toward smoking. Personally, I don’t smoke but I don’t mind that this film is for smoking. What I liked about the film is that it kept my brain going. And like I said majority of this film is predictable, but you do begin to question how free the rights of the American Public are? Should smoking be banned or should smokers have their rights too? Like stated in the film people know smoking is bad yet they still do it. Why? The movie puts a nice spin on the importance of information and looking at things from alternative views.
The whole you can never lose if you know how to argue your point was also another part of the film I enjoyed. It’s so interesting to see how many views in this country can be won over by just spinning a story and arguing your point. That’s what this movie does very nicely. At the end of the movie, Nick says something that you would never think he would say yet he says it and still comes out on top. It’s amazing how he was so good at spinning things around that even something he didn’t think was a good thing to say turned out to be the right thing to say.
It’s nice to see Aaron Eckhart play a good solid role for once. I think his performance in this film was excellent and extremely believable. I think after this role we will be seeing him in more movies. William H. Macy also stars and shines yet again. Macy is one of the best actors in Hollywood who for years still never got the appreciation he deserves. Also Katie Holmes does a decent job although her character is extremely predictable. I personally think Holmes does a good job at playing bad girl roles like her role here and in “The Gift”. The reason I think that is because she looks so innocent so when she comes out saying something like “I want to f*ck you, when I watch you on TV” it seems out of the ordinary for her. This is also probably another reason why Tom Cruise loves her; she’s probably a very bad girl outside the public eye.
“Thank You For Smoking” is Jason Reitman’s first feature film. He is son of famous film director Ivan Reitman. Jason’s directing is one to keep an eye on. I feel as the time goes on he will become a very big director just like his father. Being that “Smoking” is his first film, I think he has already hit a homerun. I think the guy has talent and as long as he keeps making good movies he will be just as big as his dad is someday.
So in conclusion, I like the message behind “Thank You For Smoking” but not the overall subject matter of the film. This movie provides its audience with fine acting, a good script and some nice directing. The film’s idea also keeps its audience thinking. It’s a good movie to watch with someone and then have a nice long talk with about it afterwards. It’s a satirical look at the smoking issue although I still feel it tilts more towards one side than the other. But at the end of the day, it’s a good independent film which very few will be able to enjoy and appreciate.
MovieManMenzel’s final rating for “Thank You For Smoking” is a 8/10.
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