The Cigarette Abides

Elizabeth Tamny argues that Jeff Bridges is the best smoker in movie history:

“There has never been a smoker like Bridges in films, and when I say that I am thinking of all film smokers and all smoking movies, from Bogie to Now, Voyager. Bridges’ relationship with things he lights on fire and sticks in his mouth creates a parallel world of expression in film that he uses to great advantage and it deserves some recognition beyond the tiny gold cigarette that must be dangling from the mouth of his Oscar.”

What’s weird is that I’ve never really thought of Bridges as a smoker par excellence before, but after reading Tamny’s piece, yes, of course, duh. I love criticism like this.

(Via Roger Ebert.)

Related post: “Cigarettes Are Sublime.”