This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Thank you for Thank you for Smoking
By gum they did it — they actually made a funny movie about politics. Thank You For Smoking stars Aaron Eckhart as a tobacco lobbyist, who's so ballsy and charming you have to love him, even while you know he's entirely evil. He's what Ari Gold and Rush Limbaugh think they are — but neither holds a lighter to Eckhart's Nick Naylor.
It's an incredible balancing act between charm and evil, and without its perfect execution the movie wouldn't work at all. But Eckhart nails it, and the movie flies, with hysterical small parts played by Rob Lowe, Robert Duvall, Maria Bello, William H. Macy, Sam Elliott, Adam Brody and David Koechner. Director Jason Reitman even manages to a make two scenes with cancer victims funny. We're sure a lot is owed to the book, written by Christopher Buckley, but the movie doesn't feel bookish at all; it's got interesting cinematography and smart editing. Did we say we liked it? We liked it a lot.
LA spotting: Nick Naylor and his MOD Squad (Merchants of Death: alcohol, tobacco, and firearms lobbyists) meet in an old-school pub.... in Koreatown. Oh, we know it's standing in for a bastion of power in Washington, but there's no mistaking The Prince. We almost hate to mention its flocked-wallpaper, serpentine-bar goodness, but the cat's been out of the bag since Vaughinston were spotted there late last year. The Prince was our favorite cameo of all.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
