I went into this movie with no idea about what it was about and came out wanting to buy the DVD. It's hilarious and with great acting to boot and of course quotable lines.
The movie revolves around Nick Naylor, a lobbyist for big tobacco. We go on his journeys as a lobbyist as he confronts senators, cancer patients, and even the Marlboro Man. You know the type of guy that can get any woman he wants? Well that's Nick times five hundred. You see Nick teach his son about the aspects of being a lobbyist and applying them to everyday life like writing essays or arguing with his mother. On his time off, Naylor spends time with the representatives from alcohol and guns division. They call themselves the merchants of death. There's not really a huge plot in the story besides following Nick on his path. He speaks out against the senator from Vermont (William H. Macy) and lets some secrets go to a sexy reporter (Katie Holmes), but eventually he ends up on the winning side once again despite mishaps.
What really drew me into the movie was the dialogue. Some of it is so random but perfectly executed that it just sounds normal. I don't want to give away any lines, but watch out for when Naylor goes to meet the Hollywood executive and when he's speaking to his buddies after Katie Holmes blows up his spot in the newspapers. Genius lines! The other part of this movie that really got me was that you're drawn into the life of this lobbyist and at first you think that he's a jerk for representing big tobacco, but he's just a regular guy. You even begin to like him throughout his trials and when Katie Holmes writes that article you get upset at her and feel compassion for Naylor. It's such a great role reversal. All we hear is the news about the people being affected by tobacco, but we never know about the lives of the people who have to represent those big companies. Who in their right mind would defend something that causes cancer and kills however many people a year? Someone who is good at talking.
There's nothing fancy about this movie, no bombs or explosions, although Naylor does get kidnapped. That's about the only action there is in the movie, so if you're looking for some bombs or what not, watch something else. This is purely for the comedy and the dialogue. Of course Naylor learns something at the end, which is go with what you're good at, and if you're really good, then it doesn't matter if you get fired from one job, there's always some one in need of your skills. And of course he learned the value of family and not to spill his secrets to some hot chick, but that's beside the point. Always question what people tell you is the main point I guess.
Everyone did a superb job acting too. Aaron Eckhart was charming and lovable as Naylor and his son, though not the best child actor was pretty decent. It's hard nowadays to find a good child actor so I'll let that slide. All the minor characters fleshed out their characters. The Marlboro Man was great even in the span of those five minutes or however long he was on screen. Rob Lowe did a great job being the eccentric Hollywood agent or whatever he was. Everyone fit together so well and there was great chemistry between all the characters that you forget that they're actors and not the characters they're playing.
Overall, go watch the movie, it's worth the money. And if you disagree then rent it on DVD. Truly a must see must have movie; you'll be laughing at the great one-liners and some of the odd conversations. Me and my friends will now be insulting each other and laughing about while saying "You got me!" It's that quotable and that funny.
"Thank You for Smoking" opens March 17, 2006 and is rated R. Comedy. Directed by Jason Reitman. Written by Jason Reitman, Christopher Buckley. Starring Aaron Eckhart, David Koechner, JK Simmons, Katie Holmes, Maria Bello, Sam Elliott, William H Macy.
