NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Thank You for Smoking

Thank You for Smoking is a 2006, Golden Globe nominated film satire directed by Jason Reitman and produced by David O. Sacks. It is based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Buckley. The title is based on the popular saying "Thank You for Not Smoking," and the cover of the DVD case is modeled on the Lucky Strike cigarette box.[1] Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1027x1500, 258 KB) This image is of a movie poster, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the movie or the studio which produced the movie in question. ... Jason Reitman (born 1977) is a film actor, writer, producer, director, and son of Ivan Reitman. ... Max Levchin is not really a computer scientist but an entrepreneur widely known as co-founder (with Peter Thiel) and former CTO of PayPal. ... Image:Elon Musk 1999. ... Edward R. Pressman (born 1943) is a film producer. ... David O. Sacks was the CFO of PayPal until its acqusition by eBay. ... John Schmidt was associate Attorney General of the United States from 1994 to 1997 under President Clinton. ... Peter Thiel Peter Thiel is an American financier, entrepreneur, and prominent donor to charities focusing on economic liberty and technology. ... Jason Reitman (born 1977) is a film actor, writer, producer, director, and son of Ivan Reitman. ... Christopher Taylor Buckley (born 1952) is an American political satirist and author of several novels. ... Aaron E. Eckhart (born March 12, 1968) is a Golden Globe nominated American film actor. ... Maria Elaine Bello (born April 18, 1967) is an American actress. ... Cameron Douglas Bright (born January 26, 1993) is a Canadian child actor. ... Adam Jared Brody (born December 15, 1979) is an American actor. ... Sam Elliott (born Samuel Pack Elliott on August 9, 1944 in Sacramento, California) is an American film and television actor, usually recognised by his tall, thin, rough-hewn physique, a thick handlebar moustache and a gruff speaking voice. ... Kate Noelle Katie Holmes (born December 18, 1978) is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB teen drama Dawsons Creek from 1998 to 2003. ... David Koechner (born August 24, 1962 in Tipton, Missouri) is a popular film and television character actor, known most notably for his role as Champ Kind in the Will Ferrell film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and for his work on Saturday Night Live. ... Image:William h macy. ... Jonathan Kimble Simmons (born January 9, 1955, Detroit, Michigan) is an American character actor. ... Robert Selden Duvall (born January 5, 1931) is an Academy Award-winning American film actor and director. ... 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The film was released in a limited run on March 17, 2006, and had a wide release on April 14. As of July 5, 2006, the film has grossed a total of US$24 million in the United States box office.^[1] On November 24, 2006, NBC announced that it is developing a television pilot based on the film.^[2] It was released on DVD in the US on October 3 and in the UK on January 8, 2007. March 17 is the 76th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (77th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... April 14 is the 104th day of the year (105 in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 261 days remaining. ... July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... ISO 4217 Code USD User(s) the United States, the British Indian Ocean Territory[1], the British Virgin Islands, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the insular areas of the United States Inflation 2. ... November 24 is the 328th day (329th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The National Broadcasting Company or NBC is an American television broadcasting company based in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956â€“present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic - President George W. Bush (R) - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... October 3 is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ...

Plot

Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is the Vice President of and the chief spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies, a tobacco lobby whose stated purpose is to research the links between smoking cigarettes and health. The group, funded by cigarette companies, never finds any links. Nick's job requires him to "inform" the public of these results, as well as defend the rights of smokers. The film follows his career as a talking head for big tobacco, appearing in both public speaking engagements and on television programs. Each week, Nick meets with Polly Bailey (Maria Bello) and Bobby Jay Bliss (David Koechner), lobbyists for the alcohol and gun industries, for lunch and mutual support. The three jokingly refer to themselves as "the M.O.D. Squad" (alluding to both the phrase "Merchants Of Death" and the television show The Mod Squad). Nick Naylor is the protagonist in satirist Christopher Buckleys 1994 novel Thank You For Smoking: A Novel. ... Aaron E. Eckhart (born March 12, 1968) is a Golden Globe nominated American film actor. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Maria Elaine Bello (born April 18, 1967) is an American actress. ... David Koechner (born August 24, 1962 in Tipton, Missouri) is a popular film and television character actor, known most notably for his role as Champ Kind in the Will Ferrell film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and for his work on Saturday Night Live. ... The Mod Squad was a television police drama from executive producers Aaron Spelling and Danny Thomas in the United States, that ran on ABC from 1968-1973. ...

Faced with a bill to add a skull and crossbones to all cigarette packaging, Nick proposes an idea to his boss, BR (J.K. Simmons) — whose initials stand for Bud Rohrabacher, though this is never specifically mentioned in the film — to get actors in films to start smoking on screen again as in the '20s and '30s, and thus "put the sex back in cigarettes". BR sends him to Hollywood to meet with producer Jeff Megall (Rob Lowe) and arrange product placement. Nick elects to bring his son, Joey (Cameron Bright), on the sudden conviction that they do not spend enough time together since Joey's mother gained custody. As Joey asks about the details of Nick's job during the trip, they bond as Nick teaches him the art of spin. Image File history File links Modsquad. ... Image File history File links Modsquad. ... EU standard toxic symbol, as defined by Directive 67/548/EEC. A skull and crossbones (â˜ ) is a symbol consisting of a human skull and two bones crossed together under the skull. ... Jonathan Kimble Simmons (born January 9, 1955, Detroit, Michigan) is an American character actor. ... The 1920s is a decade sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, usually applied to America. ... The 1930s (years from 1930â€“1939) were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known in Europe as the World Depression. ... ... For other persons named Robert Lowe, see Robert Lowe (disambiguation). ... Wikibooks has more about this subject: Marketing Product placement (PPL) is a promotional tactic used by marketers in which a real commercial product is used in fictional or non-fictional media, and the presence of the product is a result of an economic exchange. ... Cameron Douglas Bright (born January 26, 1993) is a Canadian child actor. ... Child custody and guardianship are legal terms which are sometimes used to describe the legal and practical relationship between a parent and his or her child, such as the right of the parent to make decisions for the child, and the parents duty to care for the child. ...

Nick also plans to appear before the U.S. Senate to fight the packaging bill, as well as Senator Finistirre (William H. Macy), the primary supporter of the bill as well as a long time critic of cigarettes. During an appearance on Dennis Miller's talk show to debate the issue with Finistirre, a caller threatens to kill Nick. After refusing BR's suggestion for him to hire bodyguards, Nick is soon kidnapped and transdermal nicotine patches are placed all over his skin, sending high doses of nicotine into his blood stream, triggering a toxic response (nicotine poisoning) and nearly killing him. Luckily, he is found alive, and in a twist of irony, it was his smoking habit and resulting tolerance of nicotine which (as his doctor put it) "saved his life"; however, he can never smoke again because of resultant hypersensitivity to the drug. The United States Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress, smaller than the United States House of Representatives. ... Image:William h macy. ... Dennis Miller (born November 3, 1953 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American comedian, political commentator, and television personality. ... Not to be confused with Niacin, which is the oxide of Nicotine, and has a very different biological effect. ... Historically, most cases of nicotine poisoning have been the result of its use as an insecticide; however, such use is less frequent now than previously. ...

In the midst of all of this, Nick has secretly begun having sex with an attractive reporter named Heather Holloway (Katie Holmes) (when the film was initially screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2006, it was discovered that a twelve-second-long sex scene featuring Aaron Eckhart and Katie Holmes was "missing" from the reel. Director Jason Reitman explained that when the print had been spliced together in Los Angeles, the scene — which was located at the end of one of the reels — was accidentally cut ^[3]), revealing many secrets to her during their love making, assuming it was off-the-record. She was preparing a piece about him, promising to be fair to both sides of the issue. She then publishes an article that paints Nick as a heartless monster, including Nick's dealings with the M.O.D. Squad, bribery of cancer-stricken Marlboro Man Lorne Lutch (Sam Elliott), supposed training of Joey to follow in his footsteps, and the behind-the-scenes plan to increase cigarettes in film. When Nick confronts Heather over the phone, she condescendingly states that she's like him by just working a job to pay the mortgage. Deciding that the article has either removed or completely reversed any sympathy of the public towards Nick after his kidnapping, BR decides that the Academy should distance itself from Nick and fires him. After Nick initially becomes depressed, Joey reminds him of why he does his job: to defend the "defense-less" corporations. Kate Noelle Katie Holmes (born December 18, 1978) is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB teen drama Dawsons Creek from 1998 to 2003. ... The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival in the United States, and ranks alongside the Cannes, France, Moscow, Russia, Venice, Italy, Berlin, Germany, and Toronto, Canada festivals as one of the most prestigious in the world. ... January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Aaron E. Eckhart (born March 12, 1968) is a Golden Globe nominated American film actor. ... Kate Noelle Katie Holmes (born December 18, 1978) is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB teen drama Dawsons Creek from 1998 to 2003. ... Jason Reitman (born 1977) is a film actor, writer, producer, director, and son of Ivan Reitman. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area City 1,290. ... It has been suggested that Attribution (journalism) be merged into this article or section. ... Wayne McLaren as the Marlboro Man in 1976. ... Sam Elliott (born Samuel Pack Elliott on August 9, 1944 in Sacramento, California) is an American film and television actor, usually recognised by his tall, thin, rough-hewn physique, a thick handlebar moustache and a gruff speaking voice. ...

Speaking to the press, Nick promises to clear the names of those linked to him by the article, and reveals his affair with Holloway, ruining her professional journalism career as she watches him live on TV at work with her surprised co-workers. He also reveals his intention to still testify before the Senate in hopes of stopping the bill from passing. Nick ends up performing so well at the Senate hearing that BR asks him to return to the Academy. However, as a reporter asks Nick if he will continue to work with the Academy, he fully realizes BR's motives for firing and hiring him and decides not to return as an example to his son, completely catching BR off guard before the press. The film ends as the lives of those affected by the entire situation: BR is out of work for the first time in years after the Academy is dismantled, Heather is reduced to working as a weather reporter for a small TV station, Senator Finistirre is still working on his anti-cigarette campaign by digitally removing cigarettes from classic films and the M.O.D. Squad is still meeting weekly — with new lobbyists from the oil, hazardous waste, and fast food industries being invited to the luncheon. Joey wins a school debate, and Nick begins a public relations training firm.

Analysis

According to the film's director, this film is neither pro- nor anti-smoking. In fact, the act of smoking is not shown anywhere in the movie by anyone. The closest the movie ever comes to depicting a character smoking is when Nick reaches into his shirt pocket for a cigarette. The pack, however, is empty. It is more so intended to attack political correctness. On The Charlie Rose Show, Reitman described it as a film with a libertarian message. This message is crystallized in the movie when the Senator asks Nick whether he would let Joey smoke when Joey reaches the age of consent, to which Nick replies that he would buy Joey his first pack on Joey's 18th birthday if he wanted a cigarette; this captures the libertarian idea of freedom to endanger one's own body, as long as the person is fully informed/educated of all the dangers. See also Libertarianism and Libertarian Party Libertarian,is a term for person who has made a conscious and principled commitment, evidenced by a statement or Pledge, to forswear violating others rights and usually living in voluntary communities: thus in law no longer subject to government supervision. ...

According to Buckley, the author of the book upon which the film was based, those persons now in college were the first generation who have lived through political correctness from the cradle to present. Despite this, the film was very popular when screened on college campuses.

Cast

*Indicates characters not featured in the novel. Aaron E. Eckhart (born March 12, 1968) is a Golden Globe nominated American film actor. ... Nick Naylor is the protagonist in satirist Christopher Buckleys 1994 novel Thank You For Smoking: A Novel. ... Maria Elaine Bello (born April 18, 1967) is an American actress. ... Cameron Douglas Bright (born January 26, 1993) is a Canadian child actor. ... Adam Jared Brody (born December 15, 1979) is an American actor. ... Sam Elliott (born Samuel Pack Elliott on August 9, 1944 in Sacramento, California) is an American film and television actor, usually recognised by his tall, thin, rough-hewn physique, a thick handlebar moustache and a gruff speaking voice. ... Kate Noelle Katie Holmes (born December 18, 1978) is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB teen drama Dawsons Creek from 1998 to 2003. ... David Koechner (born August 24, 1962 in Tipton, Missouri) is a popular film and television character actor, known most notably for his role as Champ Kind in the Will Ferrell film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and for his work on Saturday Night Live. ... Image:William h macy. ... Jonathan Kimble Simmons (born January 9, 1955, Detroit, Michigan) is an American character actor. ... Robert Selden Duvall (born January 5, 1931) is an Academy Award-winning American film actor and director. ... Kim Dickens as Joanie Stubbs in Deadwood Kim(berly Jan) Dickens, born 18 June 1965 in Huntsville, Alabama, is an American actress and model. ... For other persons named Robert Lowe, see Robert Lowe (disambiguation). ... Todd Louiso (born 1970 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American film actor best known for his role as timid record store clerk Dick in High Fidelity, opposite Jack Black and John Cusack. ... Dennis Miller (born November 3, 1953 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American comedian, political commentator, and television personality. ... Joan Lunden Joan Lunden (born September 19, 1950) is an American broadcaster, most recently the host of the CBS Network reality series Wickedly Perfect, and prior was a popular co-host of ABCs Good Morning America from 1980 through 1997. ...

References

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... May 7 is the 127th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (128th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 24 is the 328th day (329th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Quotable

It's not a negotiation, it's an argument -- Nick's advice to Joey about winning, which Joey later repeats to Nick after winning an argument with his mother.

External links

Categories: 2006 films | 2006 Sundance Film Festival | Black comedy films | Comedy-drama films | Films based on fiction books | Fox Searchlight films | Puns | Satirical films | English-language films | American films Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo-en. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about motion pictures, actors, movie stars, TV shows, TV stars, production crew personnel, movie pictures, cast, crew as well as video games. ... Metacritic is an Internet website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and books. ... MySpace is a social networking website offering an interactive, user-submitted network of friends, personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music, and videos. ... MySpace is a social networking website offering an interactive, user-submitted network of friends, personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music, and videos. ...