Smoking Causes Coughing
GaumontFew filmmakers bring as much creativity and boldness to their projects as Quentin Dupieux. Often containing absurdist plots that see logic get thrown out of the window in favor of unique tales of both comedy and drama, every film from Dupieux is unlike anything else seen in cinema. This trend continues into his newest project, Smoking Causes Coughing. Following a group of superheroes who use the destructive power of tobacco to defeat enemies of evil, Smoking Causes Coughing is classic Dupieux with witty dialogue and comedy holding together a quick 80-minute runtime.
To describe the plot of Smoking Causes Coughing is a difficult task. While at first, it appears that the film is going to follow something relatively close to a traditional superhero narrative as the Tobacco Force are made aware of a villain, Lézardin (Benoît Poelvoorde), planning to destroy the Earth, the film quickly changes course. Rather than coming together to defeat Lézardin, much of the film is spent with these characters sharing stories and coming to terms with their impending doom. Narratively, it is hard to say that this is the most engaging of plots with the film sometimes struggling to find purpose. When one looks at Smoking Causes Coughing as an overall feature, it is hard to decode a larger meaning or thematic existence for the project that demands the film exists. Dupieux clearly enjoyed the world and characters within the project but hasn't found a deeper meaning of existence for them on the big screen. While this might be a curse for other films, Dupieux still has an ace up his sleeve: his comedy.
Smoking Causes Coughing is an often hilarious feature with its dry absurdity proving some of the best comedic sequences of the year. There are so many odd choices within the film that played in just the right way to evoke chuckles and enjoyment that it is hard to claim that the film isn't a rewarding viewing experience despite its lacking of depth and plot. From each of the individual stories that the Tobacco Force tell each other to fundamental truths within their world such as their bizarre powers or their leader which is a rat named Chief Didier (Alain Chabat) who openly flirts with multiple women and lives a complex life of his own, these are great ideas that are executed well enough that the film never feels as if it is falling into becoming parody or a mockery of itself. This is a style uniquely Dupieux and is a wonderful example of the quirkiness found within his work. This is also a key reason why the 80-minute runtime is crucial to the feature. The shorter runtime helps excuse the film from needing a stronger narrative backbone and allows the film to get in and out without overstaying its welcome.
Perhaps the best part of the feature is the Tobacco Force themselves. Brought to life by a strong cast including Gilles Lellouche, Vincent Lacoste, Anaïs Demoustier, Jean-Pascal Zadi, and Oulaya Amamra, the personality and camaraderie between these actors are undeniable. Each are given space to define themselves and grow as individuals, but they also have plenty of scenes to come together as a team and establish their relations and dynamics. In the film’s darker moments where these heroes must accept that they have failed and that they will die with the rest of the Earth, it is their connections with each other that shine the brightest. It is almost comedic to see how a massive force like the Marvel Cinematic Universe can often struggle and fail to create compelling relationships and characters with the biggest filmmakers and talent in the world yet a piece such as this can immediately create something memorable with so little.
Another area where Smoking Causes Coughing outshines much of the modern superhero genre is its technical elements. With a smaller budget than any of the major superhero releases, Smoking Causes Coughing is forced to use practical effects to bring its world and super-powered characters to life which is beyond refreshing. From the costumes to the production design, having tangible visuals is immediately more captivating and awe-inspiring than CGI messes. When used, CGI is sparing and even the action is often accompanied by smartly implemented practical effects to base the action in reality. This is a balance that the modern superhero genre has failed to understand or respect yet Dupieux handles it flawlessly.
Smoking Causes Coughing is a prime example of the talents and worth of Dupieux as a filmmaker. While the film is far from being a complex deep cinematic expression, it is a project completely aware of what it is and makes every effort it can to celebrate that. From a smaller runtime to the structure of the film, the feature commits to being a smaller comedic experience and thrives under that identity.
