Thank You for Smoking

Wickedly funny and smart, "Thank You for Smoking" is the funniest movie I have seen in a long time. It's not a dark humor, nor is it slap stick. Don't go thinking this is comedy in the form of a Steve Carrell movie. "Smoking" is intelligent, brutally honest. The laughs come from the fact that what we see and hear is so true.

Aaron Eckhart is Nick Naylor, one of the biggest, and best, spin control artists to ever exist. He is the public relations face and lobbyist for Big Tobacco. He is the man who has to convince the rest of us that cigarettes are getting a bad rap. And, he is awesome at his job. During a "What Do You Do" presentation to his young son's (Cameron Bright) class, Nick explains that he works for tobacco companies. When one student states that her mom says tobacco is bad, Nick fires back, "Is your mom a doctor? Is she an expert in the field?" When the answer is "no", he suggests she check her sources. Smoking is an expression of choice, and isn't it our right as Americans to have the right to smoke? Nick Naylor lives with the idea that he is always right. How he impacts those around him is hilarious.

Trouble brews when a reporter (Katie Holmes) writes an expose on Naylor and his friends who also represent alcohol and guns. Nick is unaccustomed to things not going his way. Throughout the story his biggest nemesis is Senator Finistirre (William H. Macy), who constantly tries to bring Naylor and tobacco down. Other faces that show up along the way include Adam Brody, Sam Elliott, Rob Lowe, and even Joan Lunden.

Eckhart nails this role with glee, and the others all keep pace. Not only would I see it again, I'd buy the dvd. I haven't said that in a long time. I give this an A.

"Thank You for Smoking" is rated R with a running time of 90 minutes.