Here is a list of films that center around aspects of marketing:
“Crazy People”, 1990
Director: Tony Bill, Barry L. Young
In this satirical comedy, Dudley Moore plays an advertising executive who ends up in a mental institution. There he starts creating “honest” ads with the other patients, which unexpectedly skyrocket in success.
Starring: Dudley Moore, Daryl Hannah, Paul Reiser, J.T. Walsh, Bill Smitrovich, Alan North, David Paymer, Danton Stone, Paul Bates, Dick Cusack;
Production year: 1990;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “Crazy People” on the website imdb.com
“What Women Want”, 2000
Director: Nancy Meyers
Mel Gibson stars as a chauvinistic advertising executive who gains the ability to hear what women are thinking, which he then uses to advance his career, particularly in the realm of marketing to women.
Starring: Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei, Lauren Holly, Mark Feuerstein, Alan Alda, Bette Midler, Ashley Johnson, Delta Burke, Valerie Perrine;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: melodrama, comedy, fantasy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
“The Greatest Movie Ever Sold”, 2011
Director: Morgan Spurlock
In this documentary, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock explores the world of product placement and marketing by financing his film entirely through sponsorship deals, offering a look at the influence of advertising in our lives.
Starring: Morgan Spurlock, J.J. Abrams, Peter Berg, Paul Brennan, Noam Chomsky, Jimmy Kimmel, Rick Kurnit, Mark Crispin Miller, Ralph Nader, Brett Ratner;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: documentary, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” on the website imdb.com
“The Joneses”, 2010
Director: Derrick Borte
The film stars Demi Moore and David Duchovny as members of a fake family that is actually a team of marketers, whose entire existence is a stealth marketing campaign to promote various products to their neighbors.
Starring: David Duchovny, Demi Moore, Amber Heard, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Gary Cole, Glenne Headly, Lauren Hutton, Chris Williams, Christine Evangelista, Robert Pralgo;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “The Joneses” on the website imdb.com
“Branded”, 2012
Director:
This film presents a dystopian society obsessed with marketing and brands. A creator of advertisement campaigns gains the ability to see “real-world” brands as creatures which influence our decisions.
Starring: Ed Stoppard, Leelee Sobieski, Jeffrey Tambor, Max von Sydow, Nick Harvey, John Laskowski, Douglas A. Reno;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: science fiction, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4,6;
More information about the film “Branded” on the website imdb.com
“Thank You for Smoking”, 2005
Director: Jason Reitman
Aaron Eckhart stars as Nick Naylor, a charming and ambitious lobbyist for big tobacco, excelling in the art of spinning while trying to be a role model to his young son.
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright, J.K. Simmons, William H. Macy, Robert Duvall, Adam Brody, Sam Elliott, Katie Holmes, David Koechner;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Thank You for Smoking” on the website imdb.com
“Chef”, 2014
Director: Jon Favreau
Jon Favreau directs and stars in this film as a chef who loses his restaurant job and starts a food truck while reconnecting with his family. The movie touches upon how social media and viral marketing can dramatically affect a business.
Starring: Jon Favreau, Sofía Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman, Emjay Anthony, Amy Sedaris, Robert Downey Jr.;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: comedy, drama, family;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
While these films cover a wide range of stories and styles, they all provide insight into different aspects of marketing and its role in contemporary culture.
In conclusion, films about marketing offer a fascinating window into the intricate world of advertising, branding, and consumer behavior. From the fast-paced and cunningly strategic campaigns depicted in “Mad Men” to the ethically nuanced narrative of “Thank You for Smoking,” these works provide more than just entertainment—they serve as poignant commentaries on society's relationship with commerce and persuasion. Whether through the eyes of a rogue salesman in “The Joneses” or the visionary creatives in “Art & Copy,” audiences are invited to explore the psychological underpinnings and moral complexities of an industry that shapes our desires, influences our choices, and reflects the zeitgeist of our times. They compel us to question not only the tactics employed by marketing professionals but also our susceptibility to them, grounding their stories in the very real dynamics that drive consumption and culture.
