LogFAQs > #972408416

6. Thank You For Smoking (2005)
Directed by Jason Retiman
Score: 115

Plasma: 1
Vis: 5
Suprak: 6
Poke: 7
Karo: 9
Forty: 10
Tangy: 13
John: 14
GavsEvans: 23
Mythiot: 27

1. Plasma
Absolutely brilliant. I love when a movie makes me empathize with a character I should hate, and somehow TYFS pulled off a miracle by convincing me to root forof all peoplea Big Tobacco lobbyist.

The opening scene sets the tone here by showing how good Nick Naylor is with his verbal ninja skills. He can spin anything, and even with a livid studio audience glaring at him, he keeps his cool and talks his way out of it. Thats a skill I envyusing strategy and rhetoric to escape a situation thats brutally stacked against youand when he worked his magic, I got heavily invested in this one. That opening scene is, without exaggeration, one of the best Ive ever watched.

Of course, Nick Naylor is still an asshole lobbyist, and the movie acknowledges this by showing how he negatively impacts the people around him, as well as society as a whole. The corrupt mentor segments with his son add lots of tension and emotion to the story, while the lunch meetings between Nick and the Alcohol/ATF lobbyists are always darkly comical.

But what makes this movie so compelling is the way it seeks truth. A lesser story wouldve presented a one-sided argument against Big Tobacco. TYFS, however, doesnt go for the easy layup. Instead it portrays almost all the major characters as corrupt scumbags who are doing it for the mortgage. Everyone gets roasted for their self-serving attitude, and it was refreshing to see a movie that doesnt lionize journalists and well-meaning politicians.

This is one of those rare movies that explores the truth between two extremes rather than taking a side. It raises so many interesting questions Yes, tobacco is bad for you, but what about alcohol, weapons, Vermont cheese, video games, social media, etc.? Should we ban all of those? Who decides what gets banned? How does individual freedom factor in?

I could continue rambling on, but Ill wrap things up by saying that everythingthe characters, pacing, humor, theme, and emotionwowed me here. Even the ending was surprising and fantastic. Best movie on this list in my opinion. I cant wait to read the novel its based on. A+

5. Vis
Id heard about this movie before (though I cant remember where, and its killing me that I cant remember), and I heard it was a solid film, and after watching it, I have to agree. Its not the funniest movie on this list, but its very thoughtful in its subject matter. I think it takes a lot of skill to craft a movie, told from the perspective of a corporate lobbyist from the tobacco industry, and make him the good guy. Long before Jeff Winger pushed his style of law and debate on Community, Aaron Eckhart was basically teaching us that the best way to always be right is to shift and deflect until you can paint the people defending a childhood cancer victim as monsters. That happens in the very first scene: Eckhart makes the case that the cigarette companies are the GOOD GUYS, because they dont want kids to die from lung cancer, but the anti-smoking advocates do, because it gets them more money. Its just a really interesting way of twisting words and reframing the debate towards an angle that isnt normally explored. Plus, Eckhart is just so charming and charismatic, and he always finds a way to wriggle out of any hole he finds himself in. Its great.

9. Karo
A satirical look at the tobacco industry featuring a big tobacco lobbyist who can put a positive spin on the even the most grim situations.
The lead character is the big star here, the dark hilarity of everything he does really carries the movie. Be it blowing off the dangers of cigarettes to a room full of schoolchildren or his weekly meetings with alcohol and firearms lobbyists so they can all brag about how many people they are killing, it never ceases to entertain. It is funny because it is true.

10. Forty
My point is that you have to think for yourself. If your parents told you that chocolate was dangerous would you take their word for it? So perhaps instead of acting like sheep when it comes to cigarettes you should find out for yourself. First off, the title sequence of this movie is amazing. As a graphic designer I really appreciate how they make the names of cast and crew look like labels on different brands of cigarettes. The song to go with it is great too. Anyway, as far as the movie itself, its equally as awesome. As far as satires go, this one pulls no punches, taking aim at the unscrupulous lobbyists whose job is to defend American staples like cigarettes, booze, and guns (with brief appearances by fast food, big oil, and big pharma). Aaron Eckhart is a perfectly charming sleazeball, and oddly, one that you actually find yourself rooting for. I think its because he doesnt come off like a bad guy, even if he is a self-styled and unapologetic merchant of death. Hes mostly a nice guy and he does have principles despite the nature of his work. He believes everyone has the right to be defended, that truth is a matter of opinion that can be manipulated, and that ultimately everyone should have freedom of choice. Hes surrounded by an excellent cast of oddballs and assholes, the script is tight, and it has a lot of style. All in all, a very good watch thats funny and thought-provoking.