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Thank You for Smoking
Thank You for Smoking

A movie directed by Jason Reitman

< read all 11 reviews

Did the tobacco industry pay for this?

  • Feb 17, 2007
  • by
Rating:
+3
Once in a while a movie comes along that totally tears apart the society that spawned it thru the use of wit, irony, sarcasm and pointed remarks. This comedy is one of these movies. The movie revolves around the life and career of Nick Naylor, PR person for Big Tobacco, and begins with him taking on and taking out his political opponents live on a national talk show. We then come to see him comment and explain his work to his son, his son's classmates, his counterparts in the alcohol and firearms industries, his boss, and unfortunately for him, an investigative reporter with a knack for twisting words every bit as much as him. Put together, we see the tobacco industry and the PR industry stood on its head and examined from the top down.

Though smooth, ironies abound in the life of Nick. First, his ex-wife is now married to a doctor who hates smoking. Second, his opponents in the health care industry and Congress actually make him invaluable to Big Tobacco by their efforts to limit smoking. Third, he uses the most roundabout reverse psychology possible to bribe an ex-smoker into keeping mum about the hazards of tobacco use. Watching the movie from beginning to end, and seeing how the foes and friends of tobacco act, we get an interesting, and funny, examination of American society. All in all, a great movie. It is rated R for sex scenes between the protagonist and Katie Holmes' character, but nothing is shown so the movie is appropriate for anyone in their teens and older.

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More Thank You for Smoking reviews
review by . September 08, 2010
posted in Movie Hype
4 stars: To smoke or not to smoke that is the question?
From 1575 to the present, there have always been those who have opposed the use of tobacco from Mexico to the Ottoman Empire to Bavaria, Kursachsen, and certain parts of Austria in the late 1600s. Some form of Government in some part of the world has always tried to ban or outlaw the use of tobacco. In the 1500s the Catholic Pope Urban VII in particular threatened to excommunicate anyone who "took tobacco in the porchway of or inside a church, whether it be by chewing it, smoking it with a …
Quick Tip by . February 08, 2011
Slick talking tobacco lobbyist teaches his son the fine art of spinning topics and faces continuous hate from the public. Smart funny and even a little manipulative at times.
Quick Tip by . September 04, 2010
posted in Movie Hype
Caption
   A smooth, charming, and outrageously funny look into the lives of the big companies that supply America with some its deadliest products and the people who try to oppose Director/ writer  Jason Reitman(Son of director Ivan Reitman) paints a cynical, searing and intelligent portage of   the world of big business, politics  bans and  most of all, smoking. "Thank you for Smoking" is one of the best films of the last decade and one of the best political&nb …
Quick Tip by . September 13, 2010
posted in Movie Hype
i really enjoyed Nick Nailer and Rob Lowe's character (cant remember his name). every time i think about him in the kimono it makes me laugh and i wonder what time it is in Tokyo. highly recommend this one.
Quick Tip by . September 12, 2010
posted in Movie Hype
An excellent movie that is a refreshing change that shows a representative of the tobacco industry in a sympathetic light. This movie does not take sides and focuses on the characters. Eckhart gives a great performance as a tobacco industry spokesman who is torn between what his job requires him to do, what society wants out of his industry, and being a role model for his son. He is a perfect fit for the dark humor used throughout this film.
review by . April 27, 2009
DVD
Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is a lobbyist for the tobacco industry; he's very good at spinning facts and convincing people that smoking is their American right. His young son isn't so sure about the ethics of Dad's job, however.     This is a very funny, sarcastic movie. I've seen Eckhart before but was never impressed, until now. He is perfect as the fast-talking lobbyist with his dazzling smile and charismatic charm. The cast is full of good actors in small but witty roles: …
review by . October 29, 2008
Thank You For Smoking
'Thank You For Smoking' is a satire/comedy of the industry of Big Tobacco. Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is the Vice President of the Academy of Tobacco Studies, and calls himself the Colonel Sanders of Nicotine. He's divorced, but stays very involved in Joey's (his twelve year old son) life. Joey (Cameron Bright - Running Scared, The Butterfly Effect) looks up to his father, often seeing him in a Godlike way.     Nick belongs to what they call the MOD Squad (Merchants Of Death). …
review by . October 05, 2006
posted in Movie Hype
The fact that everyone (well, almost) will do anything for money - the mortgage must be paid - is only one of the subversive elements placed on the table of this bitingly satirical film. Based on the very edgy novel by Christopher Buckley, director Jason Reitman has adapted the story for the screen, populated his diatribe with a fine cast of actors, and directs the whole concept with deft precision. While many not familiar with the book's bite will be put off by the title, rest assured that no one …
review by . April 28, 2006
Pros: Fast paced, very balanced satire. So funny. Thought provoking, but not condescending.     Cons: Great messages here, but the kids won't be seeing this one.     The Bottom Line: This film will work your cerebral cortex and your funny bone at the same time. Fantastic.     I just got back from seeing “Thank you for Smoking”, the story of a smooth-talking lobbyist for the tobacco industry. This fast-paced movie is “seriously” …
review by . December 12, 2006
"Thank You for Smoking" was an entertaining movie. I enjoyed the portrayal of corporate shenanigans and its satire of Hollywood types. The acting was good and all players did their jobs well but I was a bit put off by the smirking 'we're so smart and hip attitude' of the movie. A bit of humbleness is appealing you know. 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 …
see all Thank You for Smoking reviews (11)
About the reviewer
Newton Ooi ()
Ranked #605
Hi everyone, so here is the rundown of me. I like reading and writing, nonfiction for both. I love movies, especially original ones. I like nonfiction music, eating out, and basketball. I love to travel, … more
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About this movie

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Starring Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Robert Duvall
Directed by Jason Reitman
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Tags

Movies, Drama Movies, Comedy Movies, Comedies
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Details

Director: Jason Reitman
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Release Date: March 17, 2006
MPAA Rating: R
Screen Writer: Jason Reitman
Runtime: 1hr 32min
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First to Review

"Made me laugh and made me think. This satire is a riot!"
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