Jason Reitman, "Thank You For Smoking" (2005).

Want a bit of humor to lighten your mood in the midst of this very dark period? Thank You For Smoking did the trick for me. Directed by Jason Reitman, the film follows the exploits of a charismatic lobbyist for "Big Tobacco". Nick Naylor (played superbly by Aaron Eckhart) has the gift of gab, and the social abilities to negotiate the treacherous minefields of representing one of the most maligned industries of the day. He's good-looking, self-assured, energetic, and very smart. By his own reckoning, he's the guy that can get any girl he wants. But of course, his life isn't perfect. He's recently separated from his wife and living in a rented apartment by himself. He would like to see more of his pre-adolescent son, but his ex considers him a bad influence.

In fact a large portion of society hates Nick Naylor. That's the main challenge he must contend with. This story takes place in our modern day, and you'd have to be a hermit not to note the anti-smoking campaign that has permeated society. Naylor has to confront kids with cancer, angry parents, environmental activists, the overzealous media, and sanctimonious politicians. He does have a couple of friends... fellow lobbyists who represent alcohol (Maria Bello) and firearms. The three of them regularly meet for a secret lunch, and fashion themselves the "Merchants of Death". They entertain themselves by commiserating about their critics and cynically comparing the harm their respective industries do to their consumers.

The success of this film ultimately rests on the likability of Naylor. If the audience fails to identify with him, then the whole affair risks becoming cartoonlike or turns downright nasty in a hurry. But Eckhart proves so adept at owning the role that the viewer can't help but be drawn to him. Particularly in scenes featuring the relationship between Naylor and his son, Eckhart displays a vulnerability that stops short of betraying the essentially jaded nature of his character. We can like him without the sappy, emotional fakery that we've become so used to being force-fed from Hollywood.

Then there's also the sterling supporting cast. Robert Duvall plays the Southern patriarch of the tobacco interests. Sam Elliot portrays the cancer-afflicted "Marlboro Man". William H. Macy plays a well-intentioned but ludicrous Senator. Rob Lowe manages to create a ridiculously smooth Hollywood executive producer. You really couldn't ask for more sheer talent. How does Jason Reitman (a first-time director) attract these venerable actors for such a potentially controversial movie? It probably has something to do with the fact that he's the son of famous director Ivan Reitman (Stripes, Meatballs, Ghostbusters, Kindergarten Cop). Surely family connections like that have something to do with access.

But Reitman must also be credited with creating a visually-striking picture that uses its few visual gimmicks to good effect. The dialogue was intelligent and involving, and the editing set a perfect pace for its 92-minute duration. Most importantly, Reitman crafted a deft treatment of a politically volatile issue. Nowhere in this film does the director tip his hand toward a black-and-white position regarding his subject. He reminds us that smoking is a multifaceted activity with complex implications for all involved. And in doing so, he questions the nature of liberty in American society. Thank You For Smoking is a remarkably intelligent dark comedy, with a broad and ambitious scope of commentary.