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A Refreshingly Sharp Social Commentary
by Adam (movies profile)
Oct 3, 2007
139
of
148 people found this review helpful
Thank You For Smoking is simply the best movie of the year thus far. Simultaneously hilarious and thought-provoking, it has charisma and energy to spare. Newcomer Jason Reitman has made his feature length debut as both writer and director, adapting this film from the popular novel of the same name. With machine-gun fire dialogue peppered with inflection and wit, an amazing ensemble cast and an irresistably charming visual style, Thank You For Smoking's biting social satire makes it the first must-see movie of 2006.
The story itself is fairly simple as it follows the daily struggles of Big Tobacco's most successful lobbyist, Nick Naylor. While being one of the self-proclaimed Merchants of Death (MOD Squad), battling an overzealous Vermont Senator and discussing more than just business with an attractive young reporter, our aforementioned lobbyist is also trying to be a positive influence on his young son. Nick Naylor's life is a flurry of activity as he balances Hollywood Superagents, death-threatening kidnappers, a cancerous Malboro man and his ex-wife. This fantastic film is also a flurry of excitement as we, the viewers, are taken along for the ride.
There is such an overload of talent working in this movie that it saddens me I only have time to mention a few individuals. Obviously Aaron Eckhart, as the suave, confident and infinitely charming Nick Naylor, steals the show. His character is almost impossible not to like. While unapologetically defending a product that he knows kills over a thousand people a day, Aaron Eckhart some how brings a human and sympathetic side to his part. The fact that he is surrounded by a sea of similarly immoral people helps maintain his role as protagonist. Additionally, William H. Macy, as the deviously proud Senator Finistirre, is brilliant to watch. The final courtroom showdown between the smug Senator and Nick Naylor is one of many highlights full of poignancy and absurdity. The tobacco lobbyist uses heart disease as a defense while accusing the senator of "clogging the nation's arteries with Vermont cheddar." Plus, William H. Macy improvs the best line of dialogue in the film, "The great state of Vermont WILL NOT apologize for its cheese!"
Maria Bello and David Koechner fill out the remaining members of the MOD squad representing, respectively, alcohol and firearms. The threesome play off of eachother well and also provide the movie with some of its darker, more introspective moments. Rob Lowe is hysterical as a rapid-paced, brilliant Hollywood agent with a penchant for Asian décor. Robert Duvall, Sam Elliot, Katie Holmes and J.K. Simmons round out the ensemble cast and each contribute to the story with their own eccentric characters.
Thank You For Smoking's writing is a breath of fresh air. Without taking an obvious side, Jason Reitman has criticized a more pertinent issue, the constant need of people to always look for someone to blame. Neither pro, nor anti-smoking, the film takes a step back and looks, without judgement, on the way that one man lives his life. Also, the visual imagery used in the movie was outstanding. Come on, how many times do you get to see a man covered in nicotine patches lying in Lincoln's crotch? I loved the various labels and "literal translations" that sprung up from time to time. These occasional touches helped add to the quirky nonchalance that quickly became a staple of the movie. From the intricate opening credits formed on boxes of various cigarette cartons to each setting's vibrant color composition, Thank You For Smoking was aesthetically beautiful to behold.
Jason Reitman has accomplished something quite special. With a budget of only $8 million and no previous feature length experience, he has created one of the most entertaining and intellectually-stimulating films I have seen in the last few years. The dialogue alone is worth the price of admission. |
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