Genre: Comedy/Political Satire
Directed: Jason Reitman
Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, David Koechner, J.K. Simmons, Cameron Bright, William H. Macy, Robert Duvall, Rob Lowe, Sam Elliott
Production: Room 9 Entertainment
Director Jason Reitman, son of director Ivan Reitman, has forged a nice little career for himself. Is ability to tread the comic minefield of politically incorrect, sly, cynical comedy has resulted in some of the most subversive mainstream comedies to come out in the 2000’s. The apex of his short career so far was the topical dramedy Up in the Air (2009) but before his recent successes, he made his feature debut film Thank You for Smoking.
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| Why yes, I am good at talking out of my ass |
Thank You for Smoking tells the story of Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) a D.C. lobbyist working for the Institute of Tobacco Studies who shills B.S. for a living with delight. Considered the face of cigarettes at a time when people are up in arms about their health effects, Nick takes on his challenging job with a level of glee and enthusiasm that would wear down a lesser man; all the while the powers that be, including his own boss BR (J.K. Simmons) conspire against him. When not lobbying on behalf of cigarettes, Nick spends his afternoons at a local pub with fellow lobbyists and his weekends with his son Joey (Cameron Bright).
Protagonists like Nick are a dime a dozen in modern Hollywood. The viewing public likes a villain like food consumers like fast food; they’re not the best role models but their incredibly interesting from a characterization perspective. It is partially for this reason Nick is so irresistible as a character. He lives in the grey area of moral turpitude that many of us have issues with. Of course he’s not strictly speaking evil or a villain, not even a scoundrel, he just loves his job so much that he‘s willing to live with and even enjoy its more dubious moments. He finds it easy while acknowledging that it would be hard for anyone else. He was born to talk.
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| Oh right! You were interesting once |
The story of Thank You for Smoking however is not just one about Nick. Reitman expands on the corrosive cynicism of Washington by making nearly every supporting character in the film worse than our hero. Senator Ortolan Finister (William H. Macy) leads the charge in Congress against the tobacco lobby in the movie. His new warning label set to be introduced on the floor for consideration is the main impetus behind many characters‘ actions. He needlessly demeans his aides and casually and privately supports terrorism against the amiable Nick all while bemoaning the health hazards of cigarettes. Katie Holmes also plays a role as an intrepid reporter who seduces Nick into giving away insider secrets.
Nick and Co. eventually get their comeuppance to a degree, yet we’re meant to feel sympathy not schadenfreude for him as he addresses the case of freedom of choice. The movie largely succeeds in presenting his plight in large part due to the acting, the directing and the irreverent dialogue. Special mention must be given to Maria Bello and David Koechner for their work as lobbyists for the alcohol and firearm lobby respectively. They help bring a level of brevity that helps move things in a jaunty pace.
After Thank You for Smoking Jason Reitman directed the break-away hit Juno (2007) starring Ellen Page; thus catapulting to prominence in the eyes of the viewing public. Soft enough for popular appeal yet sharp enough to evoke wisdom, his films have become a mainstay on the theater marquee. For me however, Thank You for Smoking remains the best of his already impressive, budding career.
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| Ya got a bright future kid! |
Final Grade: A
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