* Warning* Do NOT read any further if you do not want to be spoiled on the book or movie “My Sister’s Keeper”
Random thoughts about smoking in movies…
I recently went to see My Sister’s Keeper. It is a movie based on book written by Jodi Picoult. Overall, I was happy with the adaptation. Except for one thing. The portrayal of the “troubled older brother” was to put it frankly: lame. In the book, older bro Jesse is a bad ass 18 year old arsonist. He set fires mainly to uninhabited buildings for attention from Dad who is a firefighter. His younger sister has been fighting cancer since she has been about two and the main focus of the family, so much so that know one really notices Jesse. IN the book, Jesse is also a smoker. In the book, there is even a scene where things get so intense for the youngest sister, thirteen, who was bred as a donor for her older sister, she asks Jesse for a cigarette and he gives it to her. But then, being the good older brother that he is, takes it away before she does too much damage.
Was there any smoking in the movie version. None. I expected a cut of the scene with Jesse and the youngest sister. But I expected to see Jesse smoke at some point since it seemed to add a bit to his character. But he didn’t. He didn’t smoke and further, he wasn’t an arsonist. I think that bugged me even more than the fact that he didn’t smoke. We were supposed to believe that Jesse was troubled from a few scenes where we see him walking around on the street with a hoodie on, drinking a milk shake and coming home late. Lame.
I have a feeling the smoking was taken out, because of the movement to have less smoking by teens in movies since it supposedly influences them and makes them want to start. For more on that see this site.
Okay, so maybe smoking is not disappearing entirely from movies but I think we are seeing less thanks to campaigning from these anti-smoking groups.
In my opinion, this idea that no smoking should grace the silver screen makes me question whether this will hinder art in a way. In the case of translation from book to movie, the removal of smoking, not to mention the character’s main plot line from the book made his character flat and almost pointless. I don’t know… it just bugged me.
Random thoughts about public smoking…
I also went to an outdoor rock concert and I have to say, I haven’t seen that many people smoking in one place since bars still allowed smoking. Apparently my roommate and I were standing in the smoking section. Well actually, there really was no such thing but it felt like everyone was smoking. She was getting really annoyed by it and I was just getting turned on. Not to mention, I got a huge urge to ask the girls next to me who were smoking B&H menthol lights for a cigarette. I didn’t… but part of me wanted to. In some ways I would love to “come out” to more people so that I can have the occasional cigarette and not have it be as big of deal. Which leads into the next topic I want to talk about…
More Random Thoughts about Renting and Smoking…
The place I had initially found fell through so I have once again been looking for a place to live. So I revisited whether to get a smoking apartment or to not get one and while I did not explicitly set out to find a smoking- friendly apartment it looks as thought that is what I am probably going to get. This both excites and frightens me a little, but I honestly doubt I will be smoking that much inside since my boyfriend will probably be over a lot of the time. It has a balcony too though which is appealing… I’m glad in the sense that I know no one will think twice about me lighting up and that I have the option to should I choose to do so. I like that I have the option to, even if I do not choose to exercise that option. But the more I think about it, what are the chances I don’t smoke at all if I am in a place where it is permitted? Slim to none seeing as I still managed to sneak away for cigarettes whilst living in my non-smoking abode. That said, I’m sure nothing will beat the thrill of smoking in my apartment or even on the balcony of my new apartment. I can’t wait.
July 27, 2009 at 10:23 pm
With your apartment-hunting dilemma, it reminds me of when my wife and I were still in renting mode (been homeowners for a few years now). Whenever we would look for a new place, a part of me would always be dismayed if we looked at a nice place but it was non-smoking. Because even during those periods when my wife wasn’t smoking, I always wanted the option to be available…and when she was smoking, I didn’t want her to be leaving the apartment all the time to do so. Fortunately for me, we never ended up in non-smoking places ultimately.
July 27, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Interesting! I was actually surprised at the number of apartments that still allow smoking, what with the world outlawing it and all. It is almost easier to find an apartment that allows smoking than it is to find an apartment that allows pets.
July 28, 2009 at 6:41 am
I want to comment on outdoor concerts. Where I am at (Virginia) they are trying to outlaw smoking at OUTDOOR concerts. That not only disturbs me, but frightens me as well. Soon, the only place you’ll be able to smoke is in your own house because as it stands now, the lovely state government is trying to get passed a law where you can get in trouble for smoking in your own car, if you have children present. I am sure that will be passed eventually, but my point is it’s too much government involvement in people’s lives. I know I could get off on a huge political tangent right now, but I won’t. The freedom to do something LEGAL isn’t so free anymore…freedoms always have a pricetag, and unfortunately it’s usually the government that is making us pay for those. So I have a question… if pot becomes legal, will it have as many or more restrictions than cigarettes?? What’s the point if you can only smoke between 11pm and 2am, on a weekend night, in the winter time, when you’re snowed in, and it’s a full moon, on every odd year. LOL
Kudos to you probably getting a smoking unit! The balcony will be nice cause then you can go out and smoke and don’t have to worry about the apartment smelling like it for when the bf comes over. I think you’ll enjoy it quite a bit, so I can wait to hear for some updates. When do you move in?
Quickly, back to the smoking at concerts, I wanted to add that it’s nice to hear of a woman getting turned on while being in the midst of a bunch of smokers. I too get that way since, like you, have not “come out” with my smoking habit. One day I will get out of that, I hope…one day.
Kepp up the good work, CF… always a pleasure reading your blog!
July 28, 2009 at 7:41 am
I agree with you mostly, Luke, but I kind of understand the kids in the car with smoking laws. I’m not a huge fan of government intrusion on our personal choices, but kids do have developing systems and smoking in a confined space with them regularly probably isn’t a good thing. With skyrocketing asthma rates and such (and I know it’s not all about smoking, but surely it plays a part), keeping an eye out for the kids makes some sense. I mean, we could argue that parents shouldn’t have to buy car seats, but the fact is that people don’t always look out for their kids the way they need to.
But I do find ridiculous laws and rules that prevent you from smoking in your car when on certain properties’ parking lots. I always thought total bans of smoking in bars was stupid the the Nth degree. I don’t much like the idea of banning smoking in restaurants when options to allow for air-filtered smoking/non-smoking sections are possible. I don’t think we need to have packs of cigarettes plastered with MORE warnings. I think banning flavored cigarettes is idiotic and hypocritical with all the flavored liquor and fruity wine coolers out there and such. Etc. Etc. Etc.
So, I really can’t work up the energy to be mad about banning smoking around kids in a small, condfined space, any more than I can get mad at banning smoking too close to a hospital. Just my two cents.
July 28, 2009 at 9:31 am
Smokedawg, I totally agree with the banning of smoking in a car with small kids, so you know…just my personal opinion. lol HOWEVER, the question arises (which I tried to atriculate but not very well I don’t think) is it the government’s responsibility to police us on those things?? Common sense tells someone that smoking in a confined space with a newborn is not the best idea. However, cigarettes are legal and if you are of age you can smoke them, so can the government stop you from smoking them, regardless of the situation? Because they’ve already restricted it in bars, even outside in some places, restaurants, outdoor sporting events, etc, where does the government intrusion on running our lives end? Where is that line drawn? And in my opinion, there seems to be too much government involvement. That’s my only point. That’s the tangent I was trying to not get into because it is so not related to what CF was talking about, but hey. LOL It’s an interesting discussion nonetheless. Is the gov’t going to next tell us what food we can or cannot eat because it’s too fattening? We all know Big Macs aren’t the healthiest thing for us, but people with common sense know that eating one everyday is not good. But those few who choose to over indulge, again, their choice. Same with smoking… we know it’s not healthy, but we choose to do it, regardless of the “addictive” factor. You know before you smoke that cigarettes are not good for you. If you choose to do that, great. If you don’t, great. I choose to do it, but because I choose to do something unhealthy, what, it’s the government’s responsibility to set me straight and tell me I can’t do it because it’s unhealthy? I don’t think so.
I have been reading your blog as well, smokedawg…and your posts on sfk…good stuff and keep it up! I certainly am not trying to throw my opinions or beliefs on anyone. I just am ranting, so please, I hope no one takes offense to anything I have said.
And CF, sorry about the political tangent. I wish everyone would live and let live, ya know? C’est la vie.
July 28, 2009 at 9:50 am
Throwing opinions around is hardly a bad thing. And I hope C.F. doesn’t think we’ve hijacked the comments (let me know if so, C.F., and I’ll shut up…LOL).
I think where I see the difference between the smoking and, say, the Big Mac, is that it’s legal for kids to eat Big Macs. With smoking, you have something that is patently an adult-only activity (legally speaking) and potentially harmful, so I think legislating against concentrated exposure would be a decent line of argument. We can’t legislate good parenting, but specific laws to deal with easily managed areas of safety and health can go a long way toward mitigating other bad parenting choices. IMHO of course.
But I also agree that legislators and advocacy groups and such can go overboard with stuff, and the excessiveness of smoking bans througout society is indicative of that. Legislating overall health and healthy behaviors for adults is stupid beyond belief…particulalry since we don’t make laws to prevent people from, say, becoming morbidly obese.
Anyway, I don’t really have any argument with you…just chatting. One of the joys of blogs is being able to talk to people, since my occupation saddles me to my home-based office and I don’t really have co-workers with whom to interact. 😉
July 28, 2009 at 3:37 pm
No worries on carrying out a discussion here, particularly since it is related and partially because it makes me happy I have written something that generates a discussion.
My view: Obviously many people cannot use common sense about smoking in confined spaces (aka vehicles) with infants/children hence the reason why laws have been made about it.
I disagree with many of the other lamer laws that have been made about smoking. Actually the one that always stuck me as funny was back when banning smoking in bars was a new thing, the city I was living in at the time banned smoking on the patio, but still allowed it inside. It did not make sense at all. For a short time, smokers were uttering the words: “I’m going in for a smoke!”
July 29, 2009 at 6:37 am
Smokedawg, glad you see it just as a conversation cause that’s all it is. Usually these political discussions turn into shouting matches and have lots of name calling. I totally agree with your point on over excessiveness, which is what I was trying to articulate. By the way, I’d love to be in your position… at HOME working. lol
CF, thanks for giving us a place to voice our opinions and I look forward to updates all the time. This site is truly a Godsend. Thank you!
July 29, 2009 at 9:54 am
I love the commute working at home. Not so much liking the drop-off in my clients over the past few years, and corresponding steep decline in income.
There are only a couple issues I tend to get really worked up about, and even then, I rarely get into shouting unless someone’s being a true-blue jag-off.