10 Movies to Not Watch if You Want to Quit Smoking

The burning end of a cigarette has long been associated with Hollywood. From moments of quiet contemplation to showcasing classiness as a villain, cigarettes have been an important part of Hollywood for several decades.

From the constant smoking in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds to the romanticism and loneliness of a burning cigarette in In the Mood for Love, here are 10 movies you definitely should NOT watch if you want to quit smoking for good.

10. In the Mood for Love

A romantic drama by Wong Kar-Wai released in 2000, In the Mood for Love tells the story of two friends who realize their spouses are cheating on each other, which leads them to fall in love.

However, none of them wants to stoop to the level of unfaithfulness, leading to conflicts and confrontations. There are a ton of close-up scenes of Chow Mo-wan smoking or lighting up a cigarette, and they are meant to showcase the loneliness of his persona.

9. Lady Bird

Lady Bird is a coming-of-age story that deals with popularity, getting prepared for going to a good college, and the cluster bomb of relationships and friendships that need fixing before adulting takes place.

Based around teenagers and their coming-of-age, Lady Bird features mostly teenagers smoking, and the lead character smoking out of a necessity to look cool and be accepted. Cigarette shots, as well as marijuana, are used as a way to show teenage angst and rebellion in a world that is rapidly changing for them.

8. Rebel Without a Cause

Released in 1995, and, as the name suggests, Rebel Without a Cause is a story of a teenager hailing from a troubled home. He moves to a new town to forge his own identity and meets new friends.

However, this rebellion without a cause also leads him to a dark path where enemies lurk about. In the movie, the characters of Jim Stark and Judy are symbolic smokers, i.e., smoking is a recurring symbol for their rebellion and internal turmoil, and a desire to push against societal norms.

7. Chinatown

A neo-noir mystery directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jack Nicholson in the lead role, Chinatown received critical acclaim after its release in 1974. Fans especially pointed out Jack Nicholson’s character smoking almost constantly throughout the entirety of the film.

Being a Private Investigator, Jack Nicholson’s smoking was more of a “cool trigger” for that neo-noir feel. However, the smoking scenes also represented the world-weary persona that his character had.

Nicholson’s character can be seen lighting, holding, extinguishing, and/or taking a puff from a cigarette, making it a pretty hard thing to miss.

6. Basic Instinct

Both Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas’s characters are seen smoking throughout a majority of the 1992 movie. An erotic thriller game of cat-and-mouse, the smoking shots symbolize two very different things for both characters.

For Sharon Stone, cigarette smoking is a way of taunting the detectives since her movement is smooth and defiant. On the other hand, Michael Douglas’ smoking is actually a relapse, making it visible that his emotions are unravelling.

5. Inglourious Basterds

In Quentin Tarantino’s so-called masterpiece, Inglourious Basterds, Colonel Hans Landa, Bridget Von Hammersmark, and Shoshanna are some of the constant smokers.

However, the brilliance of this movie is that smoking and cigarettes are used as a way of emphasising a point and nailing it to the core. Hans Landa smokes a pipe with the farmer hiding the Jewish family beneath his floorboards. Diane Kruger’s Bridget Von Hammersmark smokes at the bar before the shootout.

A cigarette represents the calm before the storm in Inglourious Basterds, making it an iconic piece of entertainment.

4. Fight Club

Starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in leading roles with direction by David Fincher, Fight Club features a ton of smoking, especially from Tyler Durden and Marla Singer (played by Helena Bonham Carter).

Although the story of Fight Club is already pretty rebellious, to nail the final coffin, the characters of Tyler Durden and Marla Singer smoke almost constantly, a habit later picked up by The Narrator (Edward Norton).

Smoking is a part of the cool aesthetic that defines Marla and Tyler Durden’s lifestyle of chaos and frenzy. The “cool factor” is a massive trigger that resulted in several iconic smoking scenes throughout the movie.

3. Casino

Being an epic crime drama film, Casino was released in 1995 and directed by Martin Scorsese. Starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone in leading roles, Casino received worldwide fame and acclaim.

The story follows a mafia associate who makes it big in Las Vegas. However, his altercations with his friend and his love interest create complications. Smoking is woven into the tense business and criminal life.

Characters light up cigarettes when they are making deals, feeling stressed, or simply wanting to assert dominance.

2. Goodfellas

Idolising mobsters is not the best way to grow up, but Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) takes a wrong turn when he and his friends decide to rise up the mob hierarchy.

Being mobsters with high amounts of stress, Goodfellas feature a ton of smoking and cigarettes. However, cigarettes represent an inseparable part of life. During dinner, in clubs, in the car, and during every tense conversation, you will always spot at least one lit cigarette in someone’s hand.

1. Constantine

Having major terminal lung cancer is usually an indication to stop smoking. However, for John Constantine, it becomes an excuse to indulge in self-destructive behavior as he lights up constantly throughout the day as well as the night.

Released in 2005, Constantine featured Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, a demon hunter. His smoking serves as a major plot point as the cigarette becomes the symbol of his self-destructive behavior and his destiny with death, and it is a pretty on-the-face point to make.

Naturally, if you are planning to quit smoking for good, don’t watch these 10 movies. I’m gonna be right back after a smoke break.

Which of these smoking characters do you find the best? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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