Thank You for Smoking (2005)

Director:

Jason Reitman

Writers (WGA):

Jason Reitman (screenplay)
Christopher Buckley (novel)

Release Date:

14 April 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

America is living in spin

Plot:

Satirical comedy follows the machinations of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, Nick Naylor, who spins on behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model for his twelve-year-old son.

Plot Keywords:

Tobacco | Business | Reporter | Lobbyist | Tobacco Industry

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 9 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Joan Lunden	...	Herself
Eric Haberman	...	Robin Williger
Aaron Eckhart	...	Nick Naylor
Mary Jo Smith	...	Sue Maclean
Todd Louiso	...	Ron Goode
Jeff Witzke	...	Kidnapper
J.K. Simmons	...	BR
Marianne Muellerleile	...	Teacher
Cameron Bright	...	Joey Naylor
Alex Diaz	...	Kid #1
Jordan Garrett	...	Kid #2
Courtney Taylor Burness	...	Kid #3 (as Courtney Burness)
Jordan Del Spina	...	Kid #4 (as Jordan Orr)
Maria Bello	...	Polly Bailey
David Koechner	...	Bobby Jay Bliss

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

USA:92 min | Argentina:92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Australia:M | Ireland:15A | Canada:14A (British Columbia) | UK:15 | Canada:14A | USA:R (certificate #42076) | Finland:K-11 | Norway:7 | Brazil:12 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Sweden:7 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:AL | Iceland:7 | Argentina:13 | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:(Banned) (theatrical) | Malaysia:U (DVD) | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Room 9 Entertainment

Trivia:

WILHELM SCREAM: During the footage of the Kent State shootings shown while Nick describes Bobby Jay Bliss' background.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the scene where it flashes back to Bobby Jay Bliss's youth it states he tried joining the National Guard days after the 1971 Kent State shootings. However, modern cars can be seen in the reflection of the Military Recruiter's door.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Joan Lunden: Robin Williger. He is a 15 year old freshman from Racine, Wisconsin. He enjoys studying history; he's on the debate team. Robin's future looked very, very bright. But recently he was diagnosed with cancer, a very tough kind of cancer. Robin tells me he has quit smoking, though, and he no longer thinks that cigarettes are "cool."

Movie Connections:

References To Have and Have Not (1944)

Soundtrack:

The Joan Lunden Show Theme

A Thinking Man's Comedy You Can Take Your Parents To

This was the most enjoyable film we saw at Sundance. Smart and funny is not an easy pairing to find these days. Thank You For Smoking provides thought provoking content delivered through a network of great acting performances that make this film so thought provokingly hilarious.

This comedy, unlike many that grace the screen these days, is clean enough to take your parents to, and funny enough that you will forget you are at the movies with your mom. It was truly refreshing how no one in the film was filmed smoking a cigarette. Rob Lowe's character provides a wonderful satire of the corporate film world. I only hope that the intelligence level of this film does not keep it from gaining mainstream appeal.