Thank You For Smoking - 2005, Dir: J. Reitman.

   Jason Reitman's first feature film is an adaptation of a 1994 book of the same name. Reitman himself was responsible for turning Christopher Buckley's satirical novel into a usuable screenplay, believing that he shared a similar artistic voice to the original writer. A key aspect of the script trouble experienced by those wishing to make this film in the past was undoubtedly its satirical nature and the controversial aspects of its key themes.

   The protagonist Nick Naylor seems an easy fit for the handsome confidence of Aaron Eckhart. Naylor, a spokesman for 'The Academy for Tobacco Studies', is a character who exudes self-belief in his own abilities to argue in favour of the universally condemned tobacco industry. Divorced, with an intelligent young son (played by Cameron Bright), Nick is assigned by the powers that be to try and find new ways to popularise cigarettes in reaction to the actions of a vehemently anti-smoking Vermont senator (dead-pan precision from William H. Macy).

   His work assignments present the inevitable father-son bonding narrative, with an added twist of questionable morality as Naylor Snr passes on life lessons on debating and the idea of 'never being wrong'. A striking kidnapping scene involving nicotene patches and his relationship with Katie Holmes' ambitious young reporter send his career into free-fall, setting up the crucial realisation-of-purpose process and semi-redemptive conclusion.

Eckhart as the doctor of smoking spin

   The satire in Reitman's film lies largely in the exaggerated characters in Nick Naylor's lobbyist world. J.K. Simmons virtually reprises his J. Jonah Jamieson role from Spiderman to play the mysteriously named 'BR' and Sam Elliot is casting perfection as the former Marlboro man. Reitman constructs a world of shallow 'do-gooders', slick spin-doctors and obsession with political correctness, and this is where the satirical comedy takes centre-stage.

   A break-out performance from the slick Eckhart an impressive showing from the seductive Holmes and small, but eye-catching appearances from Rob Lowe and Robert Duvall tie this film together exquisitely as a finely casted political satire comedy which saw the debut of a young director with a wealth of potential. His subsequent offerings, Juno and Up In the Air, have cemented Jason Reitman as one of the most exciting new helmers in cinema.

Verdict: 7.5/10