Films like Thank You for Smoking.

Thank You for Smoking (2005) reads as Neutral, kinetic, measured comedy / drama, grounded in texture. Ambivalent, intimate, measured. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

The Guard (2011) (2011) poster
1. The Guard2011

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Burn After Reading (2008) poster
2. Burn After Reading2008

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Longest Yard (2005) poster
3. The Longest Yard2005

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

24 Hour Party People (2002) poster
4. 24 Hour Party People2002

Keeps the heightened unreality and the patient, unhurried pace; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

The Informant! (2009) poster
5. The Informant!2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Charlie Wilson's War (2007) poster
6. Charlie Wilson's War2007

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Opposite of Sex (1998) poster
7. The Opposite of Sex1998

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Flickering Lights (2000) poster
8. Flickering Lights2000

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Election (1999) poster
9. Election1999

Keeps the heightened unreality and the running vein of humour — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Humpday (2009) (2009) poster
10. Humpday2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Little Man (2006) poster
11. Little Man2006

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Tales from the Golden Age (2009) poster
12. Tales from the Golden Age2009

Keeps the heightened unreality and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are Thank You for Smoking’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

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