Deplorable Placement

I was appalled at the Marlboro product placement in the movie “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” especially the hallway scene in the hotel with the bellman. It was like a commercial touting the “comforting qualities” of smoking.

Coming just a day before the announcement of an “agreement” between the government and tobacco companies, perhaps this reflects a “last gasp” attempt to get their message out, as the deal that was worked out will prohibit such product placement in the future. But why, oh why would Sony “need” the money to get this movie made and promoted? Does a Chicago location jack up the bottom line to such an extent that they must get outside financing?

And why would Julia Roberts agree to glamorize smoking by playing that scene? Surely she must be aware of her influence on young girls and women. Was this the price she had to pay for a starring role after a string of box-office disappointments?

She could have insisted on being a nail-biter or something. It wouldn’t have made the movie any better or worse, but it would have been more honorable.

SUSAN NEWELL

La Jolla