Directed by: Jason Reitman

Cast: Joan Lunden, Eric Haberman, Aaron Eckhart, Mary Jo Smith, Todd Louiso, Jeff Witzke, J.K. Simmons, Marianne Muellerleile, Cameron Bright, William H Macy, Maria Bello

Runtime: 92 mins

How far can you stretch an argument?

How long can you make an argument your own?

If you want answer these take a lesson from Nick Naylor. He has been fighting for the cause of smokers for years. He is not your typical protagonist who is going to save the day. But instead this film is somewhat out to save him. He has few friends who campaign for other harmful social causes like Drug Trafficking and Arms. They call themselves the MOD squad the “Merchants of Death”. Nick is faced with the task of avoiding people to stop putting a skull bones sign on cigarettes. The situations he is put in are at times ridiculous yet thought provoking.

Nick Naylor is present by the Talky Aaron Eckhart. He embodies this role with sly smile and some dry witty dialog to go with it. He drives the film home giving a lot of room improvisations as well. It makes ask the question Where was he all this while? But his subsequent films sort of stop us from asking this question (No Reservations).

But his talent is totally derived from the slickness of this script which drives home a message by avoiding clichés and peachiness. The humor is dark bordering on repulsive but also gives us sufficient time to think. His character is used as a paradox to tell the story of a dilemma that has faced man for years now- Smoking. The debate on whether it is right or wrong is still at sync with this story.

Another added feature of the film is Director Jason Reitman who eventually directs the beautiful Juno. But this film is like a nicotine patch you couldn’t live without watching this one. The sarcasm is used as a catalyst for the necessary story ideas the director and the script writer want to explore with this lonesome and charismatic character Nick.

But too much of a good thing can be a little devastating. So like the habit itself there is a downward trend to all the controversy this single character has put this film through. The downward turn also tries to give us shy laugh but will we be tempted or stop and think on these jokes. The film doesn’t solely rests on the story of one mans struggle of finding his true nature and becoming an example for his son. But it turns into a quest of identity and goodness that the world so lacks.

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