So It Begins – Thank You For Smoking

It has been too long since I originally started this article series and true to my word I will continue doing what I have grown to love doing, posting about movies.  While I talked about how the opening title sequence of a film can incorporate a story in the intro of a film with Lord of War, I was inspired to write about this particular opening after watching the film again several weeks back.

Thank You for Smoking, which I reviewed here, was one of my favorite film of the 2000′s and an excellent adaptation (with some changes of course) of Christopher Buckley’s novel from 1994.  It’s movie that isn’t really for or against tobacco, but rather it leaves the decision up to the audience to determine that.  Rather the movie and novel is a story about a lobbyist for Big Tobacco and how he has found something he is good at.  It is also, at it’s heart, a satirical look at how anyone, well smooth talkers, can sell you on the benefits of a dangerous product, but it is really about your decision to buy into it or not.

One of the things I love about this movie other than the cast and story, is the opening sequence.  For me it is one of the more inventive title sequences that uses the medium of cigarette packages to introduce the major players, but also set the tone of the film with a catchy song that puts a smile on your face.  You know, just take a look at the opening after the jump.

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Movie of the Day – Thank You For Smoking

You know, those Truth commercials about smoking are really annoying.  I can’t stand watching when those commercials come on TV because of the hammering of the message that they convey.  Yes smoking is bad for you.  Yes big tobacco might be evil and don’t care about their customers.  I think the most honest representation about the Tobacco Industry comes from “Thank You For Smoking” which is a satirical look at smoking lobbyists and big tobacco.  I have a rather biased opinion of the movie since I read the Christopher Buckley book, which the movie is based on.  This isn’t a biting look at the lobbyists and the state of big tobacco, but presents the reader and viewer of the movie with two sides of the coin.

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