An acerbically funny satire, Thank You For Smoking offers no filters as it mercilessly puffs out moral controversy and political incorrectness. It's fast, witty and sharp, as the film lobbies for personal choice, hitting bulls-eyes in the underbellies of
Thank You For Smoking (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:174
Fresh:149
Rotten:25
Average Rating:7.3/10
Consensus: Delightfully unscrupulous characters and searing cynicism prick all sides of the anti-smoking issue with hilarity and intelligence.
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Genre: Comedies
US Box Office: $24,627,629
Synopsis: Jason Reitman has learned well. The son of director-producer Ivan Reitman (STRIPES, GHOSTBUSTERS) makes a strong impact with his debut feature film, the hysterical THANK YOU FOR SMOKING. Based on... Jason Reitman has learned well. The son of director-producer Ivan Reitman (STRIPES, GHOSTBUSTERS) makes a strong impact with his debut feature film, the hysterical THANK YOU FOR SMOKING. Based on the wry novel by Christopher Buckley, THANK YOU FOR SMOKING is set in the fascinating world of Washington spin, where, more often than not, money trumps politics and morals. Aaron Eckhart (IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, ERIN BROCKOVICH) is outstanding as Nick Naylor, the public spokesman for Big Tobacco. The blond pretty boy has no problem whatsoever going on television and telling people that smoking can actually be good for them. He meets regularly with the M.O.D. Squad -- fellow Merchants of Death Polly Bailey (Maria Bello), who represents the alcohol business, and Bobby Jay Bliss (David Koechner), who defends firearms -- where they fight over who has the more difficult job based on the number of deaths their respective industries are responsible for. The smooth-talking Naylor's next big adversary is Vermont senator Ortolan Finistirre (William H. Macy), who is calling for the government to place a skull and crossbones and the word "Poison" on all cigarette boxes. At the same time, Naylor is sent out to Hollywood to make a deal with high-powered agent Jeff Megall (Rob Lowe) to get more stars to smoke in movies, like in the good old days. All the while, Naylor is trying to establish a better relationship with his young son, Joey (Cameron Bright), without playing down his highly questionable job. The strong cast also includes Kim Dickens as Naylor's ex-wife, J.K. Simmons as his boss, Katie Holmes as a sexy reporter, Sam Elliott as the former Marlboro Man now dying of lung cancer, and Robert Duvall as the Captain, an old-time tobacco chief who takes Naylor under his wings. THANK YOU FOR SMOKING is a very funny satire that will leave audiences gasping for breath from laughing so hard. [More]
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, Adam Brody
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, Adam Brody, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, David Koechner, Rob Lowe, William H. Macy, J.K. Simmons, Robert Duvall
Director: Jason Reitman
Director: Jason Reitman
Screenwriter: Jason Reitman
Producer: Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Max Levchin, Mark Woolway
Composer: Rolfe Kent
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Reviews for Thank You For Smoking
Doesn't wear its message on its sleeve and doesn't particularly care if anyone gets the point. It just wants to be good and funny.
Cute, clever, and quirky. The film's makers seem so much more interested in making fun, than choosing sides.
As a clear-eyed dissection of the dirty business of public relations, where "if you argue correctly, you're never wrong", it is pretty much peerless.
It's an under-flogged axiom of American business -- if only Jason Reitman's movie had more muscle in its whip arm.
Jason Reitman's wickedly droll and irreverent comedy is a politically incorrect breath of fresh air.
... a sly, smart and very funny caricature of corporate politics and image culture.
Well-made, but it should be harsher: This is mentholated satire that doesn't get into your lungs, much less your bloodstream.
Whip-smart and very funny, even if its efforts to skewer everyone on both sides of the smoking debate end up coming off as a little glib.
The film shows its heart while shrewdly exposing the art of half-truth spinning and deflection.
Despite its many strengths, Thank You for Smoking hovers around mediocrity, and its lasting impression is like a puff of smoke that is dissipated by a strong gust of wind.
Literate and smirky in its assault on liars and fools across the map.
played so amiably that you barely notice how prickly its barbs are until they have dug right in.
Intelligent and witty from start to finish and by far the best satire comedy of the year.
Latest News for Thank You For Smoking
May 07, 2008:
Buckley's Boomsday Getting Film Treatment ![]()
Ron Bass is adapting Boomsday, a satirical novel by Thank You for Smoking author Christopher Buckley, for GreeneStreet Films and Das Films. More...
March 26, 2008:
Jason Reitman Knows How to Sell Movie Tickets
Juno director Jason Reitman may have an Oscar nomination under his belt, but establishment success hasn't spoiled his taste for subversive fun. More...
December 06, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Golden Compass Sets Course For #1 Debut
New Line hopes to breathe some life into the North American box office with the launch of its pricey adventure film The Golden Compass which stands as the frame's only new wide... More...
May 14, 2007:
Maria Bello to Replace Rachel Weisz in "Mummy 3"
A few weeks back I expressed some skepticism that Universal would re-cast Rachel Weisz's "Mummy" role with a new actress. Looks like I was wrong. More...
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