Thank You For Smoking (2006)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Nick Naylor	Aaron Eckhart	½
Rod Goode	Todd Louiso	½
BR	J. K. Simmons
Joey Naylor	Cameron Bright	½
Polly Bailey	Maria Bello
Bobby Jay Bliss	David Koechner	½
Jill Naylor	Kim Dickens
Senator Ortolan K. Finistirre	William H. Macy	½
The Captain	Robert Duvall
Heather Holloway	Katie Holmes
Jack	Adam Brody
Jeff Megall	Rob Lowe	½
Lorne Lutch	Sam Elliott	½

Review

With father Ivan not inapt at political satire himself (Dave), son Jason makes his directorial debut in a fashion which secures the apple falling adjacent to the trunk, making good use of an inspired ensemble cast and an approach that lurks about as fresh and oblivious when it comes to political correctness. Unfortunately, Thank You For Smoking ultimately isn't quite as selfish and neverminded as its protagonist - as it turns out, Reitman remains a tad too neat and tidy. But along the way, this film is filled with intelligence and well-balanced humour. The satire is pointed in every which way, which gives the film spontaneity and freshness. Aaron Eckhart is a potent and sympathetic driving force in the lead, whereas other stand-out performances are given by William H. Macy and Rob Lowe. The latter in a role which brings him back to his eighties roots. His Jeff Megall gives us a clue of how Skip from Class would have turned out as an adult.