Would You Bet Your Life on the Bottom Line?
Would You Bet Your Life On The Bottom Line?
“Thank You For Smoking” is a satirical comedy which is graceful, yet brutal. This film targets the pro-tobacco lobbyists, who would like the public to believe that smoking cigarettes is not harmful. It stars Aaron Eckhart as Nick Naylor, who is the spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies. The opening scene starts with Nick appearing on "The Joan Lunden Show," sitting beside a bald-headed boy named Robin, a 15-year-old boy dying of cancer, but who has stopped smoking. Nick is ready for the challenge that awaits him. He speaks to the audience and to the cameras, "It's in our best interests to keep Robin alive and smoking." He goes on to imply that "The anti-smoking people want Robin to die." Does Nick really care about people's health or just the “bottom line” of the company he represents, which directly benefits his personal “bottom line”? His position keeps him very busy, spinning the public's heads so they can not tell which direction the truth is coming from. Nick seems to be so disconnected from reality that he misses the fact that his son Joey, who we will soon meet, is only a few years younger than Robin. As the cherry on top, he states that “Big Tobacco” is pledging $50 million towards an anti-teen smoking campaign.
Nick Naylor is divorced. He has a preteen son named Joey (Cameron Bright), whom he enjoys taking to work and showing what he does for a living. He has also been teaching Joey that all he needs to do is to focus on the argument to win. To win an argument, says Nick, you do not need to convince anyone of anything; all you need to do is just need beat the other person. Nick speaks to Joey’s class on career day, but before he does, Joey begs him, "Please don't ruin my childhood." Joey was embarrassed by the way Nick constantly turns arguments around and places the blame on others. Nick goes to the front of the class and continues to do what he does best, put a spin on smoking. A little
“Thank You For Smoking” is a satirical comedy which is graceful, yet brutal. This film targets the pro-tobacco lobbyists, who would like the public to believe that smoking cigarettes is not harmful. It stars Aaron Eckhart as Nick Naylor, who is the spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies. The opening scene starts with Nick appearing on "The Joan Lunden Show," sitting beside a bald-headed boy named Robin, a 15-year-old boy dying of cancer, but who has stopped smoking. Nick is ready for the challenge that awaits him. He speaks to the audience and to the cameras, "It's in our best interests to keep Robin alive and smoking." He goes on to imply that "The anti-smoking people want Robin to die." Does Nick really care about people's health or just the “bottom line” of the company he represents, which directly benefits his personal “bottom line”? His position keeps him very busy, spinning the public's heads so they can not tell which direction the truth is coming from. Nick seems to be so disconnected from reality that he misses the fact that his son Joey, who we will soon meet, is only a few years younger than Robin. As the cherry on top, he states that “Big Tobacco” is pledging $50 million towards an anti-teen smoking campaign.
Nick Naylor is divorced. He has a preteen son named Joey (Cameron Bright), whom he enjoys taking to work and showing what he does for a living. He has also been teaching Joey that all he needs to do is to focus on the argument to win. To win an argument, says Nick, you do not need to convince anyone of anything; all you need to do is just need beat the other person. Nick speaks to Joey’s class on career day, but before he does, Joey begs him, "Please don't ruin my childhood." Joey was embarrassed by the way Nick constantly turns arguments around and places the blame on others. Nick goes to the front of the class and continues to do what he does best, put a spin on smoking. A little