Cute, clever, and quirky.
Is it a pro-tobacco propaganda film? Not really. Is it an anti-smoking propaganda film? Not really. And yet, oddly it's both. How is that possible?
The picture follows Nick Naylor, the public relations face of Big Tobacco. As unlikely likable as they come, Aaron Eckhart does a great job of endearing us to a character who could look you straight in the face and say, "Smoking saved my life." And we believe him, even though, we did not see him smoke a single cigarette.
With a pseudo-mocumentary feel, the film covers a lot of ground and pokes unfiltered fun at both sides of the issue; from cancer victims to the Marlboro Man. Does Big Tobacco deserve to be as heartily defended as criminals in the justice system? There are lot of good points and even more good jokes.
If you're hoping for a definitive kick in the pants to one side or the other, you may just be disappointed. The film's makers seem so much more interested in making fun, than choosing sides. Fun is not such a bad thing to make. But if you seek a point to the film, you'll likely be left to personal responsibility. And that's not a bad point at all.
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