Morgan Bell
Kynaston
REVIEW: Thank You For Smoking
April 19th 2008 08:58
Directed & Written: Jason Reitman; adapted from novel by Christopher Buckley
Starring: Aaron Eckhart (Erin Brokovich, No Reservations), Cameron Bright (Birth, Butterfly Effect), William H. Macy (Fargo, Pleasantville, Bobby), Katie Holmes (Batman Begins, Wonderboys), Rob Lowe (Waynes World, Austin Powers), Adam Brody (Mr & Mrs Smith, TV's The OC)
This film is a very clever satire following the life of Nick Naylor (Eckhart) who is a tobacco industry lobbyist. Naylor has a son Joey (Bright) who he is trying to be a good role model for while defending Big Tobacco. This is a black comedy that matches the wit of satirical classics like Election, Drop Dead Gorgeous or The Truman Show and Eckhart is truly charming as the man who can argue anything. Naylor introduces himself with the line "You know the guy who can pick up any girl? I'm him. On crack." Naylor basically justifies working as the poster boy for cigarette smoking in the same way that lawyers argue that every criminal is entitled to be represented by a fair defense, and that taking up smoking is about the right to choose, and that hes good at defending indefensible positions and enjoys the challenge, and when all else fails there the "Yuppie Nuremberg defense" that he has to do something to pay the mortgage. This film is set in the period of time just before cigarettes were legally proven to be addictive and before the landmark law suits affording victim of smoking related illnesses damages . . . the depiction of the ruthless tobacco industry execs peddling smokes to children is the blackest of humour, the deadpan delivery of razor sharp dialogue is nothing short of brilliant . . . sarcastic, ironic, and absolutely scathing . . . this is fantastic writing . . . and keep an eye out for Adam Brody, he has a small but fantastic role with an absurdly long and inappropriately placed private joke with a coworker that is a major highlight.
Starring: Aaron Eckhart (Erin Brokovich, No Reservations), Cameron Bright (Birth, Butterfly Effect), William H. Macy (Fargo, Pleasantville, Bobby), Katie Holmes (Batman Begins, Wonderboys), Rob Lowe (Waynes World, Austin Powers), Adam Brody (Mr & Mrs Smith, TV's The OC)
This film is a very clever satire following the life of Nick Naylor (Eckhart) who is a tobacco industry lobbyist. Naylor has a son Joey (Bright) who he is trying to be a good role model for while defending Big Tobacco. This is a black comedy that matches the wit of satirical classics like Election, Drop Dead Gorgeous or The Truman Show and Eckhart is truly charming as the man who can argue anything. Naylor introduces himself with the line "You know the guy who can pick up any girl? I'm him. On crack." Naylor basically justifies working as the poster boy for cigarette smoking in the same way that lawyers argue that every criminal is entitled to be represented by a fair defense, and that taking up smoking is about the right to choose, and that hes good at defending indefensible positions and enjoys the challenge, and when all else fails there the "Yuppie Nuremberg defense" that he has to do something to pay the mortgage. This film is set in the period of time just before cigarettes were legally proven to be addictive and before the landmark law suits affording victim of smoking related illnesses damages . . . the depiction of the ruthless tobacco industry execs peddling smokes to children is the blackest of humour, the deadpan delivery of razor sharp dialogue is nothing short of brilliant . . . sarcastic, ironic, and absolutely scathing . . . this is fantastic writing . . . and keep an eye out for Adam Brody, he has a small but fantastic role with an absurdly long and inappropriately placed private joke with a coworker that is a major highlight.
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Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i take it youre a fan?
i loved it too!
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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yeah i think this film has a really high quality of writing, i expect the humour will stand the test of time
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