Grade: A | Genre: Satire/Comedy Summary: Thank You for Smoking is easily the best film to hit theatres thus far in 2006. Its savage commentary on cancer sticks, Washington lobbyists and a moral compass gone haywire is priceless. It's been a while since Aaron Eckhart was really allowed the means to light up the screen. After a phenomenal breakthrough performance in Neil LaBute's savage take on misogyny, In the Company of Men, Eckhart has been languishing away in films that should have been tagged straight to video like Suspect Zero and the Core. It seemed he would be one of those actors with tremendous potential who never got a chance to take it around the block for a spin -- that is until now. Eckhart spearheads the most biting satire in years through the wily fun of Thank You for Smoking. As a lobbyist fighting for the rights of big tobacco, Eckhart transforms the slimiest being on the face of the planet into an unlikely hero to cheer for. The laughs are bold yet subtle, plastering a smile on your face for the duration over the utter ridiculousness of defending tobacco.

Eckhart plays Nick Naylor, a smooth talking debater who could convince you that a new bubble gum flavor 'shards of glass' is actually beneficial for your children's gums. He is the chief spokesman for tobacco. How does he defend a product that kills 13,000 people a day? A flexible moral fiber. He operates on the clever theory that there is no wrong side of an argument, and you don't necessary need to convince someone of your case to win. You just need to make sure your opponent drops the ball. Nick is a whirlwind of words who leaves his cocksure Crossfire sparring partners so confused that somehow he lets them make his argument for him. The opening scene has him anchoring a panel on a daytime talk show, fending off every anti-smoking group imagination has to offer with the obligatory cancer boy rested beside him. By the end of the segment, the defenders of breathable air are huddled up in the fetal position and cancer boy is ready to take on two packs a day again. He's that good.

Thank You for Smoking Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Robert Duvall, Katie Holmes, William H. Macy, Sam Elliott & Maria Bello Director: Jason Reitman View the Trailer (Quicktime) Related Articles 2006's Most Anticipated Films Katie Holme's Missing Sex Scene Suspect Zero

Nick is constantly jumping land mines and balancing his life on the slimmest of threads. His boss, BR (J.K. Simmons), can't decide whether to take credit for all of Nick's ideas or leave his ass out on the doorstep. The Captain (Robert Duvall) is grooming Nick to take over his empire streaked in tar. A reporter (Katie Holmes) wants to mess around in his head to see what makes Nick tick by appealing to his other head. I'm sorry to report that the Katie Holmes nude scene never did resurrect itself after its vanishing act at Sundance. All these characters feed Nick as much as he feeds off of them.

Nick may seem impervious to the harm his actions, battling to keep his disease ridden product in the hands of serial puffers everywhere, but there is one person who can get him to think twice about his sharp tongue -- his son Joey (Cameron Bright). Joey serves as Nick's conscious in the film. As he follows his father around, who he idolizes, Nick can't escape what he looks like in his son's eyes.

Thank You for Smoking is easily the best film to hit theatres thus far in 2006. Its savage commentary on cancer sticks, Washington lobbyists and a moral compass gone haywire is priceless. It churns out the smart laughs like few movies even dare to try. It's witty and bold in its social commentary, pulling strong performances across the board.

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