Thank You for Smoking Movie Review

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

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Written by: Jason Reitman (screenplay), Christopher Buckley (novel)
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Cameron Bright, Maria Bello, Joan Lunden, J.K. Simmons, David Koechner, Kim Dickens, William H. Macy, Robert Duvall, Katie Holmes, Adam Brody, Rob Lowe, Sam Elliot, Dennis Miller, Melora Hardin
Rated: R
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Plot
Satirical comedy follows the machinations of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, Nick Naylor, who spins on behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model for his 12-year old son.

Verdict
It's has shortcomings, but the truth in the message is what makes this fun and interesting. This movie dances on top of the subject with delight, led by a character that can twist any narrative to fit his argument. What's scary and funny is how this is only a few steps past reality. It's an exaggeration, but there are companies that operate like this, we just never get to see how glib they are about it.
It depends.

Review
Nick (Aaron Eckhart) is glib about his industry and the harm it causes. He actually seems quite pleased with the body count caused by smoking. Being his his industry, the more people smoking the better. Nick counters an argument with how a person dying from tobacco related cancer is terrible as it's one less customer. Nick claims he can sell anything, and he seems to be a free wheeling liar.

Aaron Eckhart plays Nick Naylor

Tobacco's new goal consists of trying to figure out how to gain market share. Smoking isn't cool like it used to be. Movies could make smoking cool again. It's absolutely ridiculous, and that's the point. At least some degree of what we're seeing happens. The question is, how much of this is exaggeration if at all. This is probably more true about lobbying than we'd like to believe.

It's fun to watch Nick work. He can spin anything. Nick imparts lessons to his son on how to argue and win. Nick tells him that it's not about refuting arguments. You have to prove you're right and your opponent is wrong even if you change the issue.

This does get absurd, but it provides the punchline of, "cigarettes saved your life." Nick's plight eventually leads him to argue before Congress that additional warning for cigarettes aren't necessary.

This is certainly comical and a bit ridiculous if not on the nose. What makes this good is the truth. When Congress asks Nick of tobacco companies funding tobacco research is a conflict, Nick rebuffs him asking if campaign contributions affect the Congressperson's judgement.