THANK YOU' BLOWS A LOT OF SMOKE, BUT SATIRE SUFFERS.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic "Thank You for Smoking" is a superficial satire of spin-doctoring and political correctness politically correct adj. Abbr. PC 1. Of, relating to, or supporting broad social, political, and educational change, especially to redress historical injustices in matters such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. that is spottily amusing but ultimately about as satisfying as a nicotine patch nicotine patch Nicotine transdermal delivery system Substance abuse A device used in smoking cessation Side effects Transient burning, itching–50%, erythema–14%; contact hypersensitivity–2.4%. See Nicotine replacement therapy. for a chronic smoker. Adapting Christopher Buckley's sharp but somewhat dated 1994 novel for the screen, first-time filmmaker Jason Reitman Jason Reitman (born October 19 1977) is a Canadian-born actor, writer, producer and director. He is married to Michele Lee,[1] with whom he co-wrote the 2004 comedic short "Consent."[2] His father is director Ivan Reitman. (Ivan's son) never conjures up anything resembling a point-of-view toward the material, content to coast on easy jokes at the expense of obvious targets - tobacco, self-serving politicians and Hollywood phonies among them. Buckley's books have never been what you'd call plot-driven. You read Buckley for his well-honed cynicism, not for the silly stories. Immediately then, Reitman is faced with a conundrum in adapting what is essentially a book-long screed screed n. 1. A long monotonous speech or piece of writing. 2. a. A strip of wood, plaster, or metal placed on a wall or pavement as a guide for the even application of plaster or concrete. b. against smugness of right-thinking people. Curiously, Reitman decides to flesh out the movie by beefing up the story's father-son relationship, adding a few quivers to what was already a wavering moral compass. Nick Naylor Nick Naylor is the protagonist in satirist Christopher Buckley's 1994 novel Thank You for Smoking. In the novel, Naylor works in public relations as chief spokesman and vice president of the Academy of Tobacco Studies, Washington's tobacco lobby. (Aaron Eckhart, in his oily here) works as a spin doctor for the Academy of Tobacco Studies, a lobby group for the major cigarette companies. Nick's job is to go on talk shows and news programs and misdirect mis·di·rect tr.v. mis·di·rect·ed, mis·di·rect·ing, mis·di·rects 1. To aim (a blow or projectile, for example) badly. 2. To give wrong instructions or directions to. 3. the focus from the subject at hand - lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. , advertising geared toward children - to something, anything, completely unrelated that makes the other side look bad. Nick is great at what he does, which wins him notoriety and enemies in equal measure. Among those who want a piece of Nick (in one way or another): the opportunistic, Birkenstock-wearing U.S. senator from Vermont (William H. Macy) who'd like to put a skull- and-crossbones label on cigarette packaging; an opportunistic reporter (Katie Holmes) willing to have wild sex with Nick to further her career; the opportunistic (get the emphasis here?) Hollywood deal-maker (Rob Lowe) amenable to putting cigarettes into a sex scene in his latest movie (Brad Pitt! Naked! Blowing smoke rings!), provided the tobacco companies pony up $25 million in financing. In addition to these soulless soul·less adj. Lacking sensitivity or the capacity for deep feeling. soul  less·ly adv. characters, you have Nick's soulless friends, his fellow "Merchants of Death" lobbyists: Polly (Maria Bello), who shills for the alcohol industry, and Bobby Jay (David Koechner), spokesman for the firearms folks. They do what they do because, as Nick often points out, "We all gotta pay the mortgage." That's also how Nick (who, strangely, is never seen smoking in the movie) explains his job to his adoring 12-year-old son, Joey (Cameron Bright). If Reitman has a message in his parade of self-evident satire, it's that the truth is unimportant - perception is what counts. Unfortunately, Reitman seems completely oblivious - or uncaring- as to how that concept becomes more timely (and costly) by the day. Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672 glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com THANK YOU FOR SMOKING - Two and one half stars (R: language, some sexual content) Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, William H. Macy, Rob Lowe. Director: Jason Reitman. Running time: 1 hr. 32 min. Playing: ArcLight in Hollywood. Expands wider March 24. In a nutshell: Satire of spin-doctoring and political correctness is fitfully fit·ful adj. Occurring in or characterized by intermittent bursts, as of activity; irregular. See Synonyms at periodic. fit amusing but suffers from being obvious and rudderless. |
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