Thank You for Smoking is a 2005 black comedy directed by Jason Reitman and starring Aaron Eckhart – happy 20 years anniversary. It is satirical, it is clever, twistedly funny and probably not a movie that will be appreciated by everyone; the way it cuts into the hypocrisies of society is probably not for everyone’s tastes. I would say that it is amongst the best works within the ‘black comedy’ genre, on par with In Bruges (although the latter one is good for other reasons). I cannot stress enough just how witty the script feels, so I will just repeat myself as to emphasize it once more.
This is a movie about a character that is not meant to be liked or likable, in fact he states this from the very beginning. He is detested by most and should be seeing how he is a frontman and representative for Big Tobacco; his job however, as a spokesperson, implies a charisma that is off the charts and oratory capabilities that convince others that the proverbial devil is actually a good guy. The very opening of the movie, combining exposition, external narration and a touch of breaking the fourth wall makes the viewer understand the entire nature of the protagonist. In this introduction, Eckhart’s character has to repel the accusation that cigarettes cause cancer; he subverts his situation by simply implying that it is not in the interest of Big Tobacco to have the cancer patient (the on that was brought on stage for the occasion) to die as they would lose a potential costumer. This is the constant cynical tone of the entire movie, and it maintains it flawlessly. This should suffice to make you understand if you are interested or not in watching it.
Acting is on point; Eckart’s smile manages to encapsulate the essence of a face that equally deserves to be punched, as well as one that will always have the last word. J. K. Simmons is in the movie as well; and you already know that if you need a grumpy, short-tempered boss, he’s the right man for the job. The rest of the support cast will make you point your finger going ‘oh, I know him’, and that alone is a testament their proliferous careers as well as their ability.
There is something to be said about the opposition to the Big Tobacco companies, which in this movie is represented by a senator; in theory he should be the positive pole that counteracts the big bad evil corporate greed. That is however not the case; the senator also demonstrates a willingness to manipulate the public view (more specifically how he instructs his assistant in finding a cancer patient that has to be pitiful for instance). This creates the idea that there are no ‘good guys’ in this movie, just people with various interests and agendas. In all honesty, this is potentially a very direct and unfortunately truthful representation of reality, at least a big part of it.
Thank You for Smoking, as such, underlines the moral ambiguity and personal choices and convictions of the people that form society. In this cynical approach, any moral compass loses a part of its significance. It becomes a question of perspective; the social fabric is seen through the many gears that are in play in any given moment and in any given argumentation.
A first P.S. that I will add is just how different the jokes can hit based on the viewers predisposition towards black comedy; I find them brilliantly written, but that may certainly not be the case for everyone. At a certain point, while reflecting on how to reintroduce smoking in cinematography, one of the quotes is “These days, when someone smokes in the movies they’re either a psychopath or European”. And you know what, I’ll take it, but shots were fired that day… unsurprisingly by the Americans.
Another P.P.S. that I will outline is that there is a critique towards the question of what constitutes the best government of a country. The particular way of phrasing the argument will end up several years later being used in a pretty good series entitled The Newsroom. It has nothing to do with everything else, but I just thaught I would mention it.
My very final P.P.P.S. and after this I’m done because if not it just becomes ridiculous, regards the interesting detail is that in a movie with the title Thank You for Smoking, not one actor is ever seen puffing or even holding a cigarette, which is a very good detail considering its overall message.
I would give this movie an 8 out of 10 ‘it’s an argument, not a negotiation’.