Is Friendship a Pro-Cigarette Movie?

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In Andrew DeYoung’s debut film, “Friendship,” I, as Austin (Paul Rudd), find myself in an unconventional outing with Craig (Tim Robinson) for the first time. Instead of settling for a drink or a sports game like most suburbanites might, I guide Craig on an unexpected journey – a descent into the underbelly of our town Clovis, navigating murky sewer passages that lead us surprisingly to city hall after dark. One wouldn’t expect much excitement inside a municipal building at night, but we found a quiet moment of camaraderie up on the rooftop, sharing a cigarette under the stars together.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but notice how cigarettes seem to cast a significant shadow over our relationship, Friendship. Austin, the focus of my affection, casually indulges in smoking – not bound by addiction, but rather treating it as an everyday affair, even going as far as rolling his own. From my office window, I often observe my colleagues sharing cigarettes during breaks, a group I don’t particularly care for or respect. The act of smoking, to me, symbolizes an exclusive club that remains elusive, leaving me amused yet disheartened by my inability to join. It’s not that Friendship endorses smoking as a desirable activity, but rather, it intertwines smoking with the individuals I find difficult to connect with.

DeYoung often finds himself drawn to depicting characters puffing cigarettes and exploring hidden spaces,” he noted. “Though he doesn’t partake in smoking myself, I find it incredibly captivating, and Austin possesses an undeniable cool factor.

One striking aspect of watching these characters smoke cigarettes is how uncommon it is in modern movies. While there’s plenty of cigarette smoke in period films, current-day smokers are scarcely seen on screen, due in part to the Motion Picture Association’s efforts to limit smoking depictions. DeYoung noted that if these characters were real rather than fictional (as in a world where a man’s wife wouldn’t mysteriously disappear into the sewer for days), they might be vaping instead. However, he expressed no interest in this alternative, preferring the timeless charm of smoking.

DeYoung elaborated on the idea that smoking symbolizes the act of breathing. He said, “Smoking is harmful, but it’s also less monotonous than just breathing and meditating, even though we all should do it. When I see someone taking a smoke break, I can sense their relaxation – they seem connected to their breath and body.” This longing is evident in Craig’s envious feelings towards his coworkers, despite his dislike for them, as they are able to step out of themselves to relax. In contrast, Craig is a bundle of nerves and quirks. If only he had the self-awareness or the urge to unwind, a cigarette might help him.

Although DeYoung didn’t view Friendship as a pro-smoking piece, he nonetheless approved of it as an interpretation of the film. One fascinating aspect of seeing numerous cigarettes in Friendship is that the movie doesn’t attempt to portray smoking as trendy. Instead, it’s just another element that Craig isn’t involved with – not due to personal morals or health concerns, but because he can’t seem to connect with it. The cigarette he shares with Austin on the rooftop of city hall is a unique moment. Such moments will never be repeated.

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2025-05-21 01:53