Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Nick Naylor is a charismatic spin-doctor for Big Tobacco who'll fight to protect America's right to smoke -- even if it kills him -- while still remaining a role model for his 12-year old son. When he incurs the wrath of a senator bent on snuffing out cigarettes, Nick's powers of "filtering the truth" will be put to the test.
Thank You for Smoking is a sharp, witty satire that earns its reputation through exceptional performances — Aaron Eckhart is magnetic as Nick Naylor, and the supporting cast is uniformly strong. The film's greatest strength is its novelty: the premise of making a tobacco lobbyist genuinely charming and morally fascinating, without ever fully condemning or redeeming him, is distinctively executed with real wit and intelligence. The plot is engaging but episodic and somewhat slight, never quite building to the dramatic weight it hints at. Cinematography is functional and stylish without being remarkable. The ending is satisfying but a touch too neat for such a morally ambiguous film.