"Thank You For Smoking" Review

I had a decent day on Easter Sunday, but for one reason or another, I wasn't in the laughing mood. Perhaps it had to do with the overcast skies. For some reason, gray overcast days make me want to sleep more so than days when it's actually raining. I can handle the dark skies if precipitation is falling to the ground, but not otherwise. So, I wanted to see a movie that was supposed to be amusing and picked this one.

It stars Aaron Eckhart, a lobbyist for the tobacco industry. His job is to basically be a politician for the tobacco industry, that is, to talk, ramble, bs, weave around questions, and in the end, make himself and who he works for look good, while making another look bad. Eckhart's character does this very well and Eckhart, himself, does an excellent job in this film.

As anyone with half a brain could conclude by seeing the title, this is a satire. Nowhere in the film does it come right out and state that the whole world should smoke, because it's ultimately good for you. Overall, it does a pretty good balancing act of attacking both the liberal and conservative sides to the smoking debate and does so with hilarity. I was not in a laughing mood, and this film got me laughing pretty good in a few parts. I may have to see it again when I'm actually in the mood to laugh. I may have tears streaming down my face when all is said and done then.

Overall, the film isn't even about the goods and bads of the smoking industry. It's more about Eckhart, his job, and how a person can live with themselves by doing such a thing for a living. Is there guilt felt? Does their conscience ever get in the way of decision-making or pulling out the political bs out of their behind? What would happen, where would they stand, and what would they do when it comes to their own children? This film definitely gives a different, unique, and interesting perspective; one we're not used to seeing. In that sense, it takes a similar approach as "Jerry Maguire," where the film focuses on the sports agent, a position and perspective the majority of the public aren't too familiar with.

At an hour and thirty-two minutes long, this film seems to fly by with ease. There are no slow parts. The movie seemed to last only an hour long, at most. As long as you're not on any sleeping medications or have any tryptophan in your system, the movie should have your attention from start to finish. The acting is solid all around. Even Eckhart's son in the film does a solid job. The storyline is interesting, because it's a rather unique one that many aren't used to seeing in Hollywood cinema. There's a good pace of laughs for all ninety-two minutes. This is not the quality film that "Inside Man" is, but it's a satire, so it's not "supposed" to garner any Oscar nods. But, I walked out of the theater very impressed with the film all-around. Not only was it funny, but had an interesting storyline as well. It's probably not a film for all, but if you don't mind films taking jabs at both sides of the political spectrum and you don't mind hearing a different perspective on the smoking debate, then I definitely recommend this film!

Grade (for comedy): 8.5/10
Grade (for overall): 7.5/10