DVD Reviews

Aaron Eckhart owns the screen as tobacco lobbyist Nick Naylor in Jason Reitman’s Thank You for Smoking, an acerbic and wickedly funny view of spin control in the modern age. A star-studded cast fills out this comedy, but it’s Eckhart who commands your attention as Naylor tries to soften the image of tobacco in this health-conscious day and age. Whether convincing Hollywood to embrace smoking again, raising his young son, or going up against the U.S. Senate, Eckhart keeps the film together in a delicious performance.

The 2.40:1 anamorphic transfer provides a crisp image, and it’s nice to see a director who actually uses the entire frame as much as possible. The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is used to good effect, as well. But what the visual and sound aspects are really great for is showcasing Aaron Eckhart.

The bonus features are abundant on this disc. The better of the two commentaries features Reitman, Eckhart, and actor David Koechner and is quite amusing. There are a few miniature documentaries of mild interest, your typical behind-the-scenes materials, a display of the artwork used in the film (which was my personal favorite), and other promotional materials and trailers. It’s fully loaded and mostly entertaining.

Even though the movie falters at times, it’s still a fine film and features a mighty-fine performance, as I may have mentioned. Thank You for Smoking is definitely worthy of your home theater system.