DVD available at Amazon.com
Writer-director:
Jason Reitman
Cast:
Aaron Eckhart……….Nick Naylor
Cameron Bright……….Joey Naylor
Maria Bello……….Polly Bailey
David Koechner……….Bobby Jay Bliss
William H. Macy……….Senator Ortolan K. Finistirre
J.K. Simmons……….”BR”
Katie Holmes……….Heather Holloway
Rob Lowe……….Jeff Megall
Sam Elliott……….Lorne Lutch
Robert Duvall……….Captain
Fox Searchlight Pictures presents Thank You for Smoking. Based on the novel by Christopher Buckley. Running time: 92 minutes. Rated R (for language and some sexual content). DVD release date: October 3, 2006. MSRP: $29.99.
The art of spin doctoring is not a new fad. Politicians try to sugarcoat bad news by emphasizing some trivial detail. They do this in hopes the press will forget about their original story and move on to something else. With the advent of 24-hour news networks, public images have been pushed to the limit. Newspaper reporters have been guilty of fabricating stories. On-air pundits distort the facts. So, what better time than now to have a motion picture that pokes fun at spinsters and politicians.
Thank You for Smoking was a novel that arrived around the time when several state attorney generals sued the tobacco industry. Purely fiction, author Christopher Buckley satirized the changing landscape where common sense takes a backseat to political correctness. 12 years after its publication, a first-time director has turned it into theatrical entertainment.
Aaron Eckhart stars as Nick Naylor, a spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies – a make-believe pro-smoking lobby. He believes he can sell anything to anybody; it is his job to convince people that cigarettes are good. His appearance on Joan, with host Joan Lunden, has him sitting with a guest panel. Guests include a M.A.D.D. spokeswoman, a health advocate and Robin, a 15-year boy with cancer. Cigarettes caused the cancer, and Robin has quit smoking. Nick coolly defends cigarettes by telling the studio audience and those watching at home, “it’s in our best interests to keep Robin alive and smoking.” It’s the anti-smoking conglomerate that wants him to die. The audience is stunned, and then Nick concludes his discourse by saying Robin’s death will allocate the health advocates more government funding. And with that rebuttal, the audience was sheep to Nick’s persuasiveness.
His uncanny talent of interlacing subversive comments with common sense has given Nick Naylor a rewarding career. Nobody goes to college with the intent of one day being a lobbyist. It takes years to master the skill. Like he astutely tells us, “I have a bachelor’s in kicking ass and taking names.” Good looks, a million-dollar smile, Nick is a wolf in Perry Ellis suits. But his job has led to some alienation. He’s divorced, and has shared custody of his son Joey (Cameron Bright). Nick’s friends away from the job are with the MOD Squad – Merchants of Death – whose members are lobbyists for alcohol and tobacco (Maria Bello and David Koechner). They spend one night a week dining, and discussing tragic consequences of the products they promote.
Jason Reitman, son of director Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Dave), has been a fan of Buckley’s novel ever since he read the first line. His love for the material gave him the opportunity to write the screenplay for Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions, some five years ago. The subject matter, while satirical in nature, was not something the studios wanted. The property was sold to David O. Sacks, former PayPal big shot, and now movie producer. Shopping the script around, Reitman was able to attract a quality ensemble with Eckhart as its centerpiece.
Aaron Eckhart shines as Nick Naylor. His mannerisms, the way he talks, even his narration sets the tone of Thank You for Smoking. When asked why he does what he does by journalist Heather Holloway (Katie Holmes), Nick gives her that prize grin and whispers, “population control.” Eckhart’s work with playwright-friend-filmmaker Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men) made him the perfect choice to play the pro-smoking lobbyist. His character is not vain, but rather steadfast in what he believes. Nick doesn’t ruffle easy, if at all, by naysayers who object to his job. Most notably Senator Ortolan Finistirre (William H. Macy) from Vermont.
These two have an ongoing feud because of legislation requiring a skull and crossbones to be printed on every cigarette pack. The reasoning: pictures are a better substitute than words, because those who can’t read or speak English are more susceptible to die. The senator sees Naylor as a smug profiteer even though, in a way, his legislation is essentially population control for illegal immigrants. In light of the recent stories about amnesty and guest worker programs, this only adds fire to the immigrant debate.
Reitman’s filmmaking style is a deft touch at brining Christopher Buckley’s novel to life. He elaborates on the relationship Nick Naylor has with his son, an aspect the book did not explore. A scene in which they discuss the differences between an argument and a negotiation is memorable, as is their trip to Los Angeles to meet with super-agent Jeff Megall (Rob Lowe). The agent and the lobbyist both agree that RAV’s (Russians, Arabs, and Villains) are the biggest smokers in movies. It’s time for movie stars to light up again. They need a character who is tough yet sympathetic. “Indiana Jones meets Jerry Maguire, on two packs a day,” Jeff insists.
Never mind the cigarette aspect of Thank You for Smoking. Look at how advertising and persuasion influence people. It’s a movie about spin. And it’s damn near habit-forming.
THE VIDEO
(Presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen)
From the opening animated title sequence to the last shot of a Nick Naylor smirk the transfer looks razor-sharp. The mock advertisements and fake logos for S.A.F.E.T.Y. – Society for the Advancement of Firearms and Effective Training of Youth – and other organizations are rich with detail. The image does not suffer from any popping or video print imperfections.
THE AUDIO
(English – 5.1 Dolby Digital; Spanish – 2.0 Dolby Surround)
The sound track doesn’t rock your speakers, but allows for a few moments of surround sound. The audio is crisp, as dialogue is presented clearly with no imperfections. And the ability to hear cigarette songs like Tex Williams’ “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette” in pristine clarity is always a good thing. Also included is a Spanish Dolby 2.0 stereo track, as well as optional subtitles in English, French and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES
20th Century Fox has gladly given us a nice assortment of supplemental material with the home release of Thank You for Smoking. The biggest highlight is a pair of commentary tracks. The first has a candid Jason Reitman speaking about the production and the tumultuous time it took for the film to get made. One interesting bit heard in this track is that the Department of Energy building was an exterior shot for the Academy of Tobacco Studies building. Reitman also points out flubs in the motion picture. “Movie magic, people. Movie magic,” he tells us.
The second commentary has Reitman, Aaron Eckhart and co-star David Koechner. These three are laid back in their delivery. Koechner admits that when you have something so well written, you almost don’t have to worry about the acting. Again, Reitman points out the flubs to both Eckhart and Koechner, in case they missed seeing them the first time.
The 13 deleted scenes (15:35 all together), with optional Reitman commentary, vary in quality. Most are extensions to scenes already in the film. Highlights include Naylor’s son Joey questioning a stewardess about why he can’t place his feet on the bulkhead; the original cut of Nick Naylor’s appearance on “Joan”; and a longer version of Koechner’s disgruntled postman story at a M.O.D. dinner.
One of the best extras is a segment from the Charlie Rose show featuring Reitman, producer David O. Sacks, Eckhart and author Christopher Buckley. Running 18 minutes, this round table discussion about the making-of Thank You for Smoking is pretty entertaining with interesting facts. Who knew an all-star cast could be attracted to a 7.5 million-dollar film. It’s amazing what words on the page can do to an actor.
Unfiltered Comedy: The Making of Thank You for Smoking (8:56) and America: Living in Spin (4:57) are two small featurettes about the production and the impact of spin on America’s conscience. “Unfiltered Comedy” features sound bites from Reitman, Eckhart, Maria Bello and William H. Macy interspersed with clips from the feature. It attempts to show how personal freedom and choice are being thwarted by an overzealous Senator who wants to dictate what we can, and should not, do. Subversive comments and jokes curtail that plan. The “Spin” feature has Reitman telling us his picture is a movie about talking, a movie about damage control. The short program also contains archive footage from Bill Clinton explaining his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, George W. Bush talking about the threat of terror, and Donald Rumsfeld speaking to troops in Iraq.
Galleries for poster art, the art department, storyboards, as well as the film’s theatrical trailer and a soundtrack spot complete the DVD.
THE INSIDE PULSE
Director Jason Reitman uses sarcasm and irony to discuss the then hot button issue of tobacco, and deliver an impressive first feature. Subtle in his storytelling he manages to make a picture where not a single person smokes. The dependence is shown a few times, but it’s never acted upon. Aaron Eckhart effortlessly plays the protagonist Nick Naylor. Sometimes compared to the likes of mass murderers, bloodsuckers, pimps and profiteers, Nick’s job as a tobacco lobbyist requires him to give the cigarette some good PR. He should be labeled a villain. But the guy is so likeable, we cheer for him at the start. Together with an eclectic bunch of actors and memorable one-liners, Thank You for Smoking is a one of the best films of 2006.
