Coming from the universally Marmite director Quentin Dupieux, this is an absurd look into an alternative reality where superheroes kill foam monsters and rats are suitable bachelors.
The film centres around five superheroes, named after the five main chemicals that are found in cigarettes: Ammonia, Methanol, Nicotine, Benzene and Mercury. Known collectively as the Tobacco Force, are given instructions of their next missions via video calls from their boss Chef Didier, a wiry rat puppet who dribbles an unknown green substance from his jaws (there is a small debate midway through the film about whether this is acid or laundry detergent). He is also the centre of some romantic tensions in the group, as the two females both fancy their chances with him, although he is not remotely interested. This character is voiced by Alain Chabat, a name well known in France for his comedic writing and directing skills, as well as being a presenter.
The major theme that runs through the film is pollution. As I mentioned before, the members of the Tobacco Force are all named after chemicals in cigarettes, that all pollute users’ lungs. As one example, they kill one of their adversaries by uniting and giving them a cancer – much like their namesakes. There is also pollution of the mind included in some of their increasingly bizarre campfire stories. However, perhaps one of the clearest and most alarming examples is the story that the child they find in the woods tells, of a fish swimming, watching steaming noxious chemicals being poured into its habitat. Unfortunately, this point feels slightly like it gets lost in the pace and silliness of the film.
I would say this includes more than just comic violence, as is quoted in the film’s advisories. There is a conversation that is continued throughout the film about the scariest stories that they each know, which get wilder and wilder. In these, there are scenes which made the entire audience gasp in both fright and disgust.
Overall, this is an absurdist film which both imitates and mocks its heroes, whilst fitting it perfectly with the alternative filmography of Dupieux. Although seemingly childlike on the surface, there are some more sombre and troubling themes when the film is explored deeper.
Smoking Causes Coughing is screening at Plymouth Arts Cinema from Friday 21st – Thursday 27th July.
Reviewed by Imogen Parkin
