The Pundit

Thank You For Smoking

By Lefa Singleton Norton ⋅ August 7, 2006 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

One of the higher profile films of MIFF this year, certain for a healthy release in cinemas soon, is Thank You For Smoking. A killer soundtrack, strong performances and a patchy, yet often funny film, first time feature director Jason Reitman has created entertaining fare.

Based on the Christopher Buckley graphic novel (Aren’t they all these days?), Thank You For Smoking takes a satirical look at the world of big tobacco and one of their slickest spin doctors.Ôø?Ôø? With standout performances from Rob Lowe and William H. Macey, alongside a cast list that reads as a who’s who of indy and large films alike, there is some good material here. It is disappointed however, by a less than original take on what could have been quite edgy material.

The film seems to sit comfortably in the middle ground, taking potshots at all involved from the do-gooders to the corrupt big businesses, yet never really taking a stance. It fails to persuade us in its convictions because, well, it doesn’t seem to have any. If you go after a topic as hot as the corruption of the ‘evil’ tobacco giants, make sure you use it as more than a standard sticky plot.

That aside, the film manages to keep its audience engaged and entertained.Ôø?Ôø? Keen to offend no-one, but amuse all, it delivers some genuinely funny moments and plods an interesting narrative throughout. It aims for slick, which is well met, but doesn’t rise above to really satisfy as a film offering just a little more than average. Good to entertain, but frustrating for unrealised potential.