Dullard review: "Thank You for Smoking"

"Thank You for Smoking" is a topical movie that has been overtaken by events. The big battles of the tobacco wars were fought in the 1990s, so this soft-edged satire feels at least five years overdue. And that's unfortunate, because at times, "Thank You" is witty and winning.

The movie's morally challenged center is Nick Naylor, the head PR man for Big Tobacco. As played by Aaron Eckhart, Naylor is a master of turning the cigarette industry from defender to aggressor in any confrontation. He can seemingly get anyone to do anything, through shame, guilt or befuddlement. As Nick explains: "You know the guy who can get any girl he wants? I'm that guy, on crack."

The most intriguing sections of "Thank You" come in the scenes in Naylor's interactions with his son, Joey. This is role-modeling gone wild: A father teaching his child how to win an argument not by virtue of the facts or debating technique, but by turning the opponent's words against himself. Watching this pre-adolescent learn the ways of his mentor is both frightening and amusing.

"Thank You" comes to a dead halt, however, whenever Katie Holmes is on screen. Holmes plays an unethical reporter (no, that is not a redundancy) who is writing a profile on Nick. She begins her examination by sharing a bottle of wine with her subject and is soon sleeping with him. This could have been a funny take on how journalists and lobbyists are in bed together, but Holmes has no feel for the role and shares no chemistry with Eckhart. Between this and her weakest-link performance in "Batman Begins," it has become clear that she is not ready for the big screen.

The movie has better luck with others in the supporting cast. Robert Duvall, as a North Carolina tobacco magnate, and J.K. Simmons, as a brash boss along the lines of his J. Jonah Jameson character in the "Spider-Man" movies, both turn in solid performances.

As smart as this movie is, it also relies on stereotypes. The mint julep is not a frequently consumed beverage in North Carolina. (That's Kentucky.) And Vermonters may grumble about the representation of their senator (played by William H. Macy) as a Birkenstock-wearing do-gooder.

Based on a book of the same name and written and directed by 20-something Jason Reitman, "Thank You" may have worked better if updated for today's times. For example, Nick Naylor could be a perfect TV talk show host along the lines of Bill O'Reilly. Now that would be a satire for our age.

DULLARD RATING: So-so.