Review of Thank You for Smoking (2005) by Neil Charles Kevin S — 27 Oct 2015

Jason Reitman's "Thank You For Smoking" is quiet an unapologetic and cut-throat political satire that needs more viewers for those reasons. I first saw the film as an assignment for a political leadership course and I was immediately hooked.

The movie stars Aaron Eckhart as tobacco lobbyist Nick Naylor who's charm, charisma, and word-twisting makes him tremendously successful at his job. At every turn he does what he can against those who seek to prove the negative consequences of smoking. His biggest rival is Vermont Senator Ortolan Finistirre portrayed by William H. Macy. The Senator is pushing for a bill that would require all cigarette packages to have a skull and crossbones label that says POISON.

While fighting against the proposed legislation, Naylor is a divorced man who also wants to be a good father for his son Joey (Cameron Bright) but it can be difficult given what he does. Naylor also struggles with temptation from a young journalist (Katie Holmes), bribing the original Marlboro Man turned cancer patient (Sam Elliot), and maintaining his image.

With all of the conflict set in motion the film has some very clever moments that make it stand out as a masterpiece. While on a business trip with his son, Naylor cleverly explains to him how he wins arguments. He tells Joey to explain why chocolate is the preferred flavor of ice cream while Naylor defends vanilla. After Joey gives his argument Naylor says that there needs to be freedom of choice when it comes to ice cream flavors. Joey asks why he didn't make an argument for vanilla and Naylor says that he doesn't need to argue for himself because his goal is to prove Joey wrong "because if you're wrong, I'm right!" The ending takes place at a congressional hearing and I dare not give away any more.

With blatant satire and strong balance of drama and some quirky comedic moments, "Thank You for Smoking" is a delightfully unscrupulous treasure to behold!