The satire "Thank You For Smoking" merrily blows smoke rings around Big Tobacco's arrogance and obfuscation. Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), a Washington lobbyist for tobacco, sells cancer sticks like candy. He's the kind of shameless salesman who can appear on Joan Lunden's talk show and use a chemo-bald 15-year-old former smoker as an argument for puffing away. "You know that guy who can pick up any girl?" Nick preens in a voice-over. "I'm him on crack." Read the full review
As a spokesman for Big Tobacco, Nick Naylor makes his living defending the rights of smokers and cigarette makers. When confronted by health zealots and an opportunistic senator, Nick goes on a PR offensive to defend his industry, but begins to think about how his work makes him look in the eyes of his 12-year-old son.
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Robert Duvall, Katie Holmes, Rob Lowe, Sam Elliott, William H. Macy, Adam Brody, Maria Bello
Run time: 92 minutes
Release date: March 17, 2006
Rating: R for language and some sexual content.
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Meet the director
• Director Jason Reitman tells the Palm Beach Post he was never a smoker.
• The Austin American Statesman finds Reitman un-PC and unapologetic.
On the web
Official movie site
View the trailer
Trailers require
Quicktime
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: B
"A smart-aleck satire with something on its mind is always welcome."
Austin American-Statesman: 3 of 5 stars
"The movie's best moments are funny and provocative, but, while it's never less than entertaining, it doesn't consistently hit these high points."
The Palm Beach Post: A
"Thank You for Smoking is that increasingly rare commodity — an intelligent comedy — and a breezy, but sharp-edged civics lesson."
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