“The message Hollywood needs to send out is: Smoking is Cool!”
A single quote from our antihero, tobacco lobbyist Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), sums up the hilariously satirical film Thank You for Smoking. As the go-to spokesman for a company called Big Tobacco, Nick has spent his career un-apologetically arguing in favor of the addictive cancer sticks. He defends the practices of the tobacco industry and fights for every person’s right to light up as they please. And he does it all with the smile of a winner.
Nick frequently visits with his friends, and fellow Merchants of Death, whom he has nicknamed The MoD Squad. The representatives for the firearms and alcohol companies are well played by the ever-comical David Koechner and a no-nonsense Maria Bello. In one scene, they competitively argue about whose industry has the edge for producing the most casualties. But Nick also has his share of foes, including a crusading senator (William H. Macy) and seductive young reporter (Katie Holmes). When Nick’s wide-eyed son Joey is introduced, the viewers begin wondering what kind of example he sets for the impressionable child. Joey tags along on a business trip to L.A., where Naylor pitches a campaign to put smoking back into movies via young sexy stars instead of villains and foreigners. The zen Hollywood agent and his hopped up assistant are played perfectly by Rob Lowe and The O.C.’s Adam Brody, respectively.
The strong supporting cast plays right into Eckhart’s charming illusionist. He occasionally shows flinches of conscience, and knowing Nick might not be completely comfortable with his job allows the audience to relax. It is a testament to the actors and writers that they don’t just rely on the black humor of a taboo subject; there is more subtlety to the story here. As Naylor spends more time with Joey (and teaches him that if you argue correctly you can never be wrong), we believe he has a growing concern to be a good role model. Even if the screenplay wasn’t witty and well-paced – which it is – it would still be one of the most original in a while. In the midst of a season full of horror remakes, predictable romantic comedies and Basic Instinct 2, Jason Reitman’s script is a breath of fresh air … er, second-hand smoke. Grade: A-
