Thank You For Smoking (DVD, 2006, Rental Ready; Widescreen)

It is very easy to see why one might have a certain amount of trepidation in going to see a film like Thank You for Smoking. A lot of it may have to do with the title. We are automatically given the idea that this is a film that will deal with the subject of smoking cigarettes in a light hearted way. Even smokers may veer away from such a film. It turns out that the title truly does say it all (in a tongue in cheek kind of way). Thank you for Smoking is a biting satire that truly proves that satire can be great, if done tastefully and intelligently. I'd even go so far as to say that Thank You For Smoking is one of the funniest, most intelligent satires to come out of Hollywood in years, and it assaults everyone in its path.

How does silver-tongued tobacco-industry apologist Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) live with himself? His cushy gig as spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies consists of using statistical obfuscation, misdirection and doublespeak to position smoking as the front line of the battle for freedom of choice, rather than a blatant example of how a handful of amoral businessmen line their own pockets at the expense of public health. "If you argue correctly, you're never wrong," he assures his starry-eyed 10-year-old, Joey (Cameron Bright), and anyway, everybody has bills to pay, right?

Writer/director Jason Reitman (based on the novel by Christopher Buckley) has created a wild romp centered on a fascinatingly egotistical powerbroker too in love with his own abilities, and oblivious to his shortcomings. It's a formula for tragedy and comeuppance that is compelling to watch, along with Nick's attempt at a comeback, which is even more interesting and thrilling. All behavior is taken to the extreme for our comical benefit as Nick ends up in the middle of some hair raising situations, including a kidnapping, a confrontation with the tobacco industry's leading symbol (wonderfully played by Sam Elliott), and finding himself as the man in the middle of a political and personal firestorm when his cockiness catches up to him. Reitman makes every scene as absurd as possible, even when they have an air of truth to them, and he has the right leading man to take us through this roller coaster of a movie.



Eckhart is dazzling as a born phony almost brought low by believing his own lies, and he's matched at every turn by a stellar supporting cast that includes Robert Duvall as a Big Tobacco mogul, Sam Elliott as cancer-stricken Marlboro Man Lorne Lutch, J.K. Simmons as Nick's ruthless boss, Rob Lowe as the superagent who cloaks his bullsh** beneath a facade of Asian spirituality, and Bello and Koechner as his partners in slime.

Its true strengths come from going beyond the easy jokes: asking why someone might choose to do what Naylor does and how they can look at themselves in the mirror each morning. He's a target for lampooning, but both Eckhart and director Jason Reitman commit to making him human -- and thus render the film as much a character study as a comedy.

Bought this movie not knowing what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't call it the funniest movie ever, but it's funny and you really just want to see the main character work his magic. I would recommend.

Excellent movie that is a great comedy and really makes you think of how the media is involved in todays society

"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 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.

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*** 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.

Even though this is Jason Reitman's first feature film he 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 home run. 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.

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 you will be able to enjoy and appreciate.

I've only seen it once, but I enjoyed this movie a lot the first time I saw it. It's quick, witty, clever, and it features some familiar faces (Anyone else recognize the main character as Egor in "Return of the Killer Tomatoes?" OK, maybe not). I have to see it again to fairly judge it, but I think it's worth owning, at least for $6 or less. :-)

Extraordinary film.

I failed to see it in the theaters because the advertisements were a turn-off; I had no idea how the story line would unfold and regarded the ads as puerile and asinine.

Watched the DVD and was fascinated by the handling of the story line and the overall presentation which pretty much lays it on the line on how the tobacco industry, Congress, and the media all work hand in glove. You can substitute virtually any major industry for tobacco, and it all works the same.

The film should be required viewing for high school seniors and college freshmen so they can grasp how the world -- and politics -- actually works.