Writer: Geraldine Ang

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Watch this if you liked: "American Beauty", "Bowling for Columbine", "The Matador"

There are two types of people in the world. The first smokes and the other doesn't. The first group of people are aware that smoking kills, but still do it anyway. On the other hand, the other group relies on anti-smoking campaigns and tough smoking laws, praying that their kids don't also get addicted to cigarettes. This movie is about the war between these two types of people and the job of a mediator in-between, Nick Naylor. (Aaron Eckhart)

Naylor, a lobbyist for America's tobacco industry, is a smart-talking gun barrel when it comes to convincing the world that smoking is not as bad as the health board portrays it to be. As he skilfully wins the public over with strategic arguments and shifting values, Nick's job and life principles begin to inspire and influence his son, Joey (Cameron Bright). With the backing of a tobacco tycoon and his glassy-eyed son, Nick's notorious ability of persuasion makes him America's poster boy for smoking, one of the main unnatural causes of death in the world. All goes well for Nick until his ongoing 'MOD squad' meetings with a liquor lobbyist (Maria Bello) and gun advocate (David Koechner) are revealed to the press. Nick's belief of himself as an untouchable negotiator crumbles, with his salvation requiring far more than a glib tongue.

"Thank You For Smoking" is director Jason Reitman's debut satire on materialistic suit-clad yuppies profiting through the allure of cigarettes. Reitman's humour is evident in many mentionable scenes, which are marvellously scripted with tight direction. The casting for this witty film is also equally superb. Previously seen in Neil LaBute's "In the Company of Men" as a heartless, manipulative womanizer, Aaron Eckhart is perfect as a proficient spin doctor with a talent for charming his way out of difficult situations. Other actors of considerable talent are also included in this film: Robert Duvall, as the Godfather of the tobacco industry and William H.Macy as a US Senator. Other familiar faces such as Katie Holmes, Adam Brody and Rob Lowe add pizzazz to the film by playing excellent supporting roles to Eckhart's character.

Dealing with topics such as corporate misdemeanours, ethical issues concerning the hazards of smoking and freedom of choice, this entertaining comedy is highly enjoyable and raises much-needed public awareness concerning the tobacco industry. As much as it is a well-disguised anti-smoking film, 'Thank You For Smoking' offers an interesting examination of individual morality within a largely liberal climate. Essential watching.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008