Review: 'Thank You For Smoking' speaks truths

The fact that “Thank You For Smoking” has no patented Hollywood happy ending or even a morality lesson will lead some to label it as cynical. In reality, anyone remotely familiar with the advertising, public relations or “spin control” businesses will know that it is a film that speaks a multitude of truths. And it does so with a good deal of humor, some of it admittedly uncomfortable.

The truth can be that way.

Actor Aaron Eckhart is no stranger to performing in “uncomfortable” roles. He made his debut in Neil LeBute’s “In The Company of Men,” as one of the cruelest characters ever committed to film.

In “Thank You For Smoking,” his character is much more affable but every bit as morally bankrupt. It’s to Eckhart’s credit that at the end of the film – despite it all – you still like the character, Nick Naylor. It’s a tough act to pull off, but Eckhart does it. And he does it with a smile and a wink. It really is a great performance.

When we first meet Naylor, he’s a panelist on “The Joan Lunden Show.” The other panelists are anti-tobacco spokespeople and a teenage smoker who is about to die from cancer. Naylor, straight-faced (make that happy-faced), tells the camera that the tobacco industry has every reason to care about this kid and his health. They don’t want to lose a customer. Why would they? Naylor claims it’s the anti-smoking crowd that will benefit from any given smoker’s death.

Needless to say, Naylor is great at his job.

But the tobacco industry is feeling a pinch from all of the generally negative publicity surrounding cigarettes. The industry needs a new spin.

Naylor’s idea is to get in cahoots with Hollywood and get cigarettes back in the movies. They need to show people how cool smoking really is.

He takes a meeting with a Hollywood producer – played by Rob Lowe, who does his job as unctuously as required – to talk over ideas for a film. It’s to be an outer space/sci-fi movie with a great “floating-naked-in-no-gravity” sex scene featuring two A-list performers. After the sex, they will smoke.

But it’s gonna cost.

“Thank You For Smoking” has a funny subtext that involves Naylor and two other lobbyists. They call themselves “The MOD Squad.” “MOD” stands for “Merchants Of Death.” Besides Naylor, there’s a lobbyist for the alcohol industry and another who works for the firearms folks. They have lunch together regularly and squabble about whose industry kills the most people.

Nick finds himself in trouble after agreeing to do an interview with a Washington, D.C., reporter. He beds her (many times) and is shocked when her story is published. Things he considered “off the record” obviously were not. The “MOD Squad” is revealed.

He almost gets beaten at his own game but manages to spin the story to his advantage.

Another subplot involves Naylor‘s relationship with his son. He obviously loves the kid, and the boy is fascinated by what his dad’s line of work involves. The obvious Hollywood path would be for dad to change his ways because of his dedication to his son.

But “Thank You For Smoking” bucks more than one Hollywood position.

Many people may think this is a cynical, manipulative piece of filmmaking. But in view of the way the “fair and balanced” media is nowadays, it is mild in comparison.

It drags at times but is a well-conceived and executed piece from first-time director Jason Reitman, who also wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Christopher Buckley.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.