Light on the contemporaneous insight, it is instead, like Inside Man, doing the you-Nietzsche/it- Abyss polka.
Thank You For Smoking (2006)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:174
Fresh:149
Rotten:25
Average Rating:7.3/10
Consensus: Delightfully unscrupulous characters and searing cynicism prick all sides of the anti-smoking issue with hilarity and intelligence.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language and some sexual content.
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Mar 17, 2006 Limited
Box Office: $24,627,629
Synopsis: Jason Reitman has learned well. The son of director-producer Ivan Reitman (STRIPES, GHOSTBUSTERS) makes a strong impact with his debut feature film, the hysterical THANK YOU FOR SMOKING. Based on... Jason Reitman has learned well. The son of director-producer Ivan Reitman (STRIPES, GHOSTBUSTERS) makes a strong impact with his debut feature film, the hysterical THANK YOU FOR SMOKING. Based on the wry novel by Christopher Buckley, THANK YOU FOR SMOKING is set in the fascinating world of Washington spin, where, more often than not, money trumps politics and morals. Aaron Eckhart (IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, ERIN BROCKOVICH) is outstanding as Nick Naylor, the public spokesman for Big Tobacco. The blond pretty boy has no problem whatsoever going on television and telling people that smoking can actually be good for them. He meets regularly with the M.O.D. Squad -- fellow Merchants of Death Polly Bailey (Maria Bello), who represents the alcohol business, and Bobby Jay Bliss (David Koechner), who defends firearms -- where they fight over who has the more difficult job based on the number of deaths their respective industries are responsible for. The smooth-talking Naylor's next big adversary is Vermont senator Ortolan Finistirre (William H. Macy), who is calling for the government to place a skull and crossbones and the word "Poison" on all cigarette boxes. At the same time, Naylor is sent out to Hollywood to make a deal with high-powered agent Jeff Megall (Rob Lowe) to get more stars to smoke in movies, like in the good old days. All the while, Naylor is trying to establish a better relationship with his young son, Joey (Cameron Bright), without playing down his highly questionable job. The strong cast also includes Kim Dickens as Naylor's ex-wife, J.K. Simmons as his boss, Katie Holmes as a sexy reporter, Sam Elliott as the former Marlboro Man now dying of lung cancer, and Robert Duvall as the Captain, an old-time tobacco chief who takes Naylor under his wings. THANK YOU FOR SMOKING is a very funny satire that will leave audiences gasping for breath from laughing so hard. [More]
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, Adam Brody
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, Adam Brody, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, David Koechner, Rob Lowe, William H. Macy, J.K. Simmons, Robert Duvall
Director: Jason Reitman
Director: Jason Reitman
Screenwriter: Jason Reitman
Producer: Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Max Levchin, Mark Woolway
Composer: Rolfe Kent
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Get This Movie
Reviews for Thank You For Smoking
There is something to offend just about everyone in THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, even foodies, and that's a compliment
Jason Reitman's wickedly droll and irreverent comedy is a politically incorrect breath of fresh air.
What makes the movie curiously timely is its emphasis on the process of spin as opposed to the moral content of what is being spun.
Thank You for Smoking tries very hard but fails to succeed in creating a biting satire.
Reitman's inability to pay off on any of the film's skeletal sub-plots leaves Aaron Eckhart holding the narrative bag even if the capable actor carries the movie on his brawny shoulders like an obsolete Atlas.
Aaron Eckhart is so good in his performance. Everybody’s terrific. The writing is funny. And the directing is top-notch.
Eckhart is a perfect antihero, melding the abhorrent masochism of In the Company of Men with the endearing biker-with-a-heart-of-gold of Erin Brockovich.
Aaron Eckhart is fleet of foot and prolific with patter as the aptly named Naylor, but his high wire act ultimately cannot hide the fact that writer/director Jason Reitman's feature debut is as glib as Naylor's tongue.
Not since American Psycho's Patrick Bateman has there been a character so despicable and lovable at the same time
What we've got here is a valentine to everything that's bad about American government and the joys of political correctness. It works too!
Eckhart is dazzling as a born phony almost brought low by believing his own lies, and he's matched at every turn by a stellar supporting cast.
Reitman manages his big, accomplished cast with a firm hand and provides enough snappy dialogue, sharp visuals, and droll observations to override the movie's lapses.
Reitman makes shrewd choices condensing the book, removing conspiracy subplots and adding a story line about the relationship between Nick and his son, Joey (Cameron Bright).
Despite many funny bits, Thank You for Smoking is ultimately too nice.
A superficial satire of spin-doctoring and political correctness that is spottily amusing but ultimately about as satisfying as a nicotine patch for a chronic smoker.
Warning: This film may cause you to laugh at things you feel you shouldn't, but it's not detrimental to your health in any way, shape, or form (honest).
Latest News for Thank You For Smoking
May 07, 2008:
Buckley's Boomsday Getting Film Treatment ![]()
Ron Bass is adapting Boomsday, a satirical novel by Thank You for Smoking author Christopher Buckley, for GreeneStreet Films and Das Films. More...
March 26, 2008:
Jason Reitman Knows How to Sell Movie Tickets
Juno director Jason Reitman may have an Oscar nomination under his belt, but establishment success hasn't spoiled his taste for subversive fun. More...
December 06, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Golden Compass Sets Course For #1 Debut
New Line hopes to breathe some life into the North American box office with the launch of its pricey adventure film The Golden Compass which stands as the frame's only new wide... More...
May 14, 2007:
Maria Bello to Replace Rachel Weisz in "Mummy 3"
A few weeks back I expressed some skepticism that Universal would re-cast Rachel Weisz's "Mummy" role with a new actress. Looks like I was wrong. More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Thank You For Smoking at Rotten Tomatoes
- Thank You For Smoking at IGN
- Thank You For Smoking at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Techland lists the best Sci-Fi films of this decade.

Moviefone takes a look back at the biggest stinkers of the past 10 years.

The Me and Orson Welles star answers reader questions on TIME.com.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill offers his thoughts on what the best decade for film was.

In the AV Club's "Scenic Routes," Mike D'Angelo reminisces about the Tim Burton film.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic


