The Last Cigarette

If the Associated Press report this July, which quoted cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris's findings in a Czech study (namely, that "tobacco could save a government millions of dollars in health care and pensions because many smokers die earlier") didn't convince you that the tobacco company CEOs were about as honest as Bill Clinton during a Q&A on T&A, then pop yourself some corn and cue up Kevin Rafferty and Frank Keraudren's The Last Cigarette, an often engaging, though admittedly uneven, romp through the history of America's love affair with cancer sticks that combines outrageous TV commercials (Philip Morris: "coughs disappear"), outlandish anti-smoking health safety vignettes (in the Reefer Madness vein), and 1994 Congressional testimony from Big Tobacco executive yahoos who unanimously swear that "nicotine is not addictive." While 1) not in the same league as co-director Rafferty's similarly-arranged Atomic Cafe (lampooning Cold War fears and misconceptions), 2) rather rambling in its delivery, and 3) wearing out its welcome long before 82 minutes are up (how many old cigarette commercials do we really need to see?), The Last Cigarette has its genuine charms, including a funny segment on "smokesploitation" videos in which babes suggestively take drags off ciggies (you laugh, but these tapes are selling for $35 each, thank you very much), and Congressman Henry Waxman's foaming-at-the-mouth self-righteousness as he tries (in vain) to pin down the wiggly, wily execs. Considering the excellent price for a theatrically released documentary and the perennially popular subject, this is recommended, overall (although teachers should be forewarned that there are a few brief scenes of animal experimentation). Aud: H, C, P. (R. Pitman)