Thank You for Smoking, a 2006 screenplay directed by Jason Reitman based on the 1994 satirical novel authored by Christopher Buckley, epitomizes satire. Starring Aaron Eckhart, Katie Holmes, J.K. Simmons, Rob Lowe, Robert Duvall, and many other A-list actors in prominent roles, Thank You for Smoking featured a strong cast of interesting and dynamic characters. Thank You for Smoking centers around the life of Nick Naylor, a smooth-talking lobbyist who works for the Academy of Tobacco Studies. In his job, he is responsible for uncovering questionable evidence and speaking on behalf of “Big Tobacco.” In his testimonies he conducts before Congress, committees, and panels, he emphasizes free choice and lack of causation of major illnesses in defense
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Satire is the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity in the context of contemporary politics. Elements of contemporary society that are satirized in Thank You for Smoking include lobbying, big-money politics, smoking, sleazy reporting, and political correctness. Lobbying, generally regarded amongst the American business world as one of the least-respected, least-trusted, and most-despised industries (according to polling data) is satirized through Nick’s character and the MOD Squad. The ruthlessness and cut throat behavior exuded by Nick emphasizes how large an influence lobbyists have on American legislation, and the inevitable failure of Senator Finistirre’s bill seems to justify the lobbying. Big-money politics is satirized throughout the film through the emphasis on political insiders, lobbyists, and politicians controlling agendas (especially on an issue like smoking) as opposed to the common American. This is made clear by the lack of a smoking scene in Reitman’s production, as cigarettes are commonly associated with average Americans. There was, however, a scene with a cigar – ironically a more “elevated” form of nicotine consumption. Evident from the title, smoking plays a major aspect in the satire. Despite its aforementioned invisibility throughout the production, it is the subject matter for the film and clearly the main subject of Buckley’s satire. Satire does a fantastic job of juxtaposing the idiots smoking cigarettes with the big-money politicians and lobbyists who stand to benefit from its victims. Sleazy reporting is satirized through the introduction of Heather Holloway. Arguably one of the main antagonists in Thank You for Smoking, Holloway’s role is to show how far a young, attractive, female reporter will extend herself to get a good story. Holloway plays Nick into falling for her, and he spills the beans about certain truths
Satire is the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity in the context of contemporary politics. Elements of contemporary society that are satirized in Thank You for Smoking include lobbying, big-money politics, smoking, sleazy reporting, and political correctness. Lobbying, generally regarded amongst the American business world as one of the least-respected, least-trusted, and most-despised industries (according to polling data) is satirized through Nick’s character and the MOD Squad. The ruthlessness and cut throat behavior exuded by Nick emphasizes how large an influence lobbyists have on American legislation, and the inevitable failure of Senator Finistirre’s bill seems to justify the lobbying. Big-money politics is satirized throughout the film through the emphasis on political insiders, lobbyists, and politicians controlling agendas (especially on an issue like smoking) as opposed to the common American. This is made clear by the lack of a smoking scene in Reitman’s production, as cigarettes are commonly associated with average Americans. There was, however, a scene with a cigar – ironically a more “elevated” form of nicotine consumption. Evident from the title, smoking plays a major aspect in the satire. Despite its aforementioned invisibility throughout the production, it is the subject matter for the film and clearly the main subject of Buckley’s satire. Satire does a fantastic job of juxtaposing the idiots smoking cigarettes with the big-money politicians and lobbyists who stand to benefit from its victims. Sleazy reporting is satirized through the introduction of Heather Holloway. Arguably one of the main antagonists in Thank You for Smoking, Holloway’s role is to show how far a young, attractive, female reporter will extend herself to get a good story. Holloway plays Nick into falling for her, and he spills the beans about certain truths