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Nick Naylor:
That's the
beauty of argument, if you argue correctly, you're never wrong.
Nick Naylor is a bastard. He’s smug, and
over-confident, and perhaps one of the most despicable characters I’ve
ever seen on a film. But that’s Aaron Eckhart for you. He knows how to
play a son of a bitch. Pull out any Neil Labute film with him, and
you’ll hate the motherfucker by the time it’s over. But that’s Eckhart.
He’s a fantastic actor, and he can make a bastard into a likable bastard
in seconds flat. As a staunch anti-smoking advocate, I took great glee
in watching “Thank you for Smoking.” Reitman happily lays out the issue
of the cigarette industry and big tobacco and puts under the microscope
many issues before society. Big Tobacco, anti-smoking advocates, they’re
all here to be mocked, and destroyed under the picture, and I enjoyed
every single minute of it. Nick is possibly one of the most fascinating
characters I’ve seen in a film in years, because he’s convinced himself
what he does is wrong, but not immoral, he thinks he’s providing a
service for something trivial, and has no grasp on a soul.
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He’s above it. He’s providing a
service, a salesman, and you can’t begrudge him for that.
Sadly, Nick becomes a victim of his own ego, and we can’t
help but wonder what’s next for the man. Either way, Eckhart
is the anti-hero, hell he’s hardly a hero, yet he still
manages to grab the audience and bring them to his side, as
he does in the opening during a talk show. What makes him
likable even if despicable? His unflappable wit, and double
that begins to reflect on his son. |
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Maria Bello and David Koechner are a
highlight as alcohol and firearm lobbyists who are known as “the Mod
Squad,” a trio, along with Nick, that sits around strategizing and
competing to see which of their professions has ensured a higher
mortality rate. Really though, the entire film puts everyone down on the
spotlight and shows that both sides are filled with opportunists,
sensationalists, and idiots. William H. Macy is his usual charming self
as an anti-tobacco advocate who is hardly a match for Nick, yet is still
intent on sealing his doom. Reitman gives way for irony that’s well
delivered, plot twists that I absolutely bought, and a wit that’s so
sharp you’ll be cringing quite often. Not to mention there are memorable
walk-ons from Adam Brody, Sam Shephard, Rob Lowe, and Dennis Miller. Did
I love this? Oh god yes. I knew I would, and Eckhart, in his sardonic
gleam, and large smile convinces me to love it, and to love low life
Nick Naylor. Good on ya, Aaron.
An actor I’m constantly stumped about their
repeated high profile roles is Cameron Bright. I am shocked that this
kid receives so many movie roles, when he is not even a good actor.
Bright proves again and again that as far as acting chops go, he’s a
well without water. Not only is he boring, but he is also extremely
wooden and can never keep up with Eckhart’s Nick when they’re sharing
scenes. I didn’t buy him for a minute, and I certainly didn’t buy him as
Nick Naylor’s son. It’s unfortunate that he brings down the movie
considerably well. As for Katie Holmes, she is, as displayed in many of
her roles, useless and hardly memorable. Her role as the conniving
reporter who beds Nick is dull, lifeless, and leaves the screen without
a single notice from the audience.
Eckhart as Two-Face? I’m there! Watch “Thank
you For Smoking” and you’ll realize Eckhart’s skill in being the man you
love to hate. Reitman’s satire is a sharp, clever, and funny take on the
cigarette companies and their despicable little deeds.
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