'Thank You for Smoking' Filtered with Funny

Margot Gonzales, entertainment editor

The new satirical comedy about a Washington, D.C. lobbyist for tobacco takes hits at anything you can possibly think of including tobacco, guns, liberals, rednecks, liquor, and smokers.

The movie, though hidden behind the idea of smoking, actual foreshadows the “Age of Spin,” where no matter who the spokesperson is, they may come out misunderstood. 

Amusing and witty, “Thank You for Smoking” isn’t too far from a heartfelt movie.  Unfortunately, I had to watch this movie in Dallas, knowing it probably won’t show in Lubbock. 

The movie begins in the realm of Nick Naylor, played by Aaron Eckhart world.  He is one of the best practitioners of spin.  His greatest conquest, though, is his career as a lobbyist for the cigarette industry.  Known as the “Merchants of Death,” the “MOD squad,” who are his fellow lobbyists, speak on behalf of liquor and guns.  The three frequently meet and provide the audience with the comical truth.

As previously stated, the movie begins its heartfelt journey when Nick takes more of an interest in his young son Joey, played by Cameron Bright.  The two bond during discussions of  “strategies for making effective arguments” in all debates.  An important phrase Nick tells his son is, “If you argue correctly, you’re never wrong.”

Joey is now able to better understand Nick’s job more, and the rest of the movie introduces characters such as the sexy newspaper reporter, played by Katie Holmes, the Godfather of tobacco, played by Robert Duvall, and a Vermont senator, played by William H. Macy, who never has a witty comeback for opponents. 

Overall, the acting is energetic, and all the actors do a great job of portraying their characters.  I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes satirical comedies, as well as or to any smoker, hunter, or self-serving politician.

Hopefully, “Thank You for Smoking” will arrive in Lubbock theatres soon, because it is definitely worth the wait.  It also takes a lighter approach to a controversial issue such as smoking.