Thank You for Smoking

Background 2005 black comedy, based on the 1994 satirical novel by Christopher Buckley 2005 black comedy, based on the 1994 satirical novel by Christopher Buckley the „Academy of Tobacco Studies” „researching” the link between smoking and lung cancer; funded by tobacco companies the „Academy of Tobacco Studies” „researching” the link between smoking and lung cancer; funded by tobacco companies Issues addressed: ethics and advertising; ethics and research; the „objectivity” of science; ideology of freedom; father-child relationship Issues addressed: ethics and advertising; ethics and research; the „objectivity” of science; ideology of freedom; father-child relationship

Critical reception Critical reception: mostly positive; criticised for: lack of continuity, a constellation of sitcom sketches; aims at too many targets; overacting, overselling jokes; Critical reception: mostly positive; criticised for: lack of continuity, a constellation of sitcom sketches; aims at too many targets; overacting, overselling jokes; Jason Reitman (director): „What I wanted people to think about was political correctness. I wanted them to think about ideas of personal responsibility and personal choice. I think cigarettes are a wonderful location for that discussion because cigarettes are something we know all the answers to. I wanted to look into this idea of why we feel the need to tell each other how to live and why we can’t take personal responsibility for our own actions when we fall ill from things that we know are dangerous” Jason Reitman (director): „What I wanted people to think about was political correctness. I wanted them to think about ideas of personal responsibility and personal choice. I think cigarettes are a wonderful location for that discussion because cigarettes are something we know all the answers to. I wanted to look into this idea of why we feel the need to tell each other how to live and why we can’t take personal responsibility for our own actions when we fall ill from things that we know are dangerous”

„The freedom of choice” Reitman: „While it’s not anti-smoking, it’s very important people don’t think that this is a pre- smoking movie. It’s about freedom of choice”. Do you agree? Why does the director emphasise it repeatedly that the film is about the freedom of choice/individualism? Do you think that this is the main issue it addresses? Reitman: „While it’s not anti-smoking, it’s very important people don’t think that this is a pre- smoking movie. It’s about freedom of choice”. Do you agree? Why does the director emphasise it repeatedly that the film is about the freedom of choice/individualism? Do you think that this is the main issue it addresses? No scene in the film in which any of the characters smoke! No scene in the film in which any of the characters smoke! The tobacco industry has been reluctant to take any sides or comment on the film The tobacco industry has been reluctant to take any sides or comment on the film

Manipulation vs. Individualism How does the film depict the advertising industry? Which age groups are targeted by tobacco ads? How do they attempt to manipulate youngsters? How does the film depict the advertising industry? Which age groups are targeted by tobacco ads? How do they attempt to manipulate youngsters? Can we identify with the main character, Nick Naylor? Why/why not? To what extent can we read him as the embodiment of the „self-made man”? Can we identify with the main character, Nick Naylor? Why/why not? To what extent can we read him as the embodiment of the „self-made man”? How does the film present the ideology of freedom and the culture of individualism? Does it advocate these values or does it call out attention to the illusion of free choice? Discuss! How does the film present the ideology of freedom and the culture of individualism? Does it advocate these values or does it call out attention to the illusion of free choice? Discuss!

Gender Compare the female stereotypes used in the film! 1. Heather Holloway, the reporter; 2. Kim Dickens, Nick’s ex-wife; Maria Bello, a member of the „Merchant of Death” squad, representing the alcohol industry. Compare the female stereotypes used in the film! 1. Heather Holloway, the reporter; 2. Kim Dickens, Nick’s ex-wife; Maria Bello, a member of the „Merchant of Death” squad, representing the alcohol industry. Do you think Heather is portrayed as an empowered, assertive female figure, or is she also the victim of her job and the ideology of success? Discuss! Do you think Heather is portrayed as an empowered, assertive female figure, or is she also the victim of her job and the ideology of success? Discuss!

Happy ending? What do you think about the ending of the film? Is it conventional happy ending? Most studios wanted the director to rewrite his script to include a more anti-smoking and uplifting ending; they wanted Naylor to have a change of heart by the film’s end and repent for his past. What do you think? Would this ending have made the film more conventional, or more articulate? Discuss! What do you think about the ending of the film? Is it conventional happy ending? Most studios wanted the director to rewrite his script to include a more anti-smoking and uplifting ending; they wanted Naylor to have a change of heart by the film’s end and repent for his past. What do you think? Would this ending have made the film more conventional, or more articulate? Discuss!