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One of the first things you notice about "Smoking" is that nobody smokes in it.

This seems like an awfully weak attempt at saying something without ever really saying something.The same holds true of the entire film.

"Thank You for Smoking" seems like it should burn hot.

Instead, it ends up mere wisps of smoke.You can reach Tom Long at (313) 222-8879 or tlong@detnews.com.

Check out his blog at detnews .com.

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His show business clientele included rock musician Alice Cooper and actors Richard Harris and Rod Steiger.

He was best known, however, for his treatment of Wilson, the troubled founding member of the iconic California surf band.

Wilson's wife hired Landy in 1975 at a time when the musician rarely got out of bed, showered or talked to anyone.

Landy took control of Wilson's life, constantly monitoring him to keep him away from drugs and junk food.

Under Landy's care, Wilson's physical and mental health improved enough that he performed at the Beach Boys' 15th anniversary concert on New Year's Eve 1976.

Despite his success, Landy was fired around that time by the band's manager, largely over a fee dispute.

Six years later, after Wilson had regressed to drugs and obesity, Landy was rehired.

The psychologist said he was paid $35,000 a month for conducting 24-hour therapy from 1983 to 1986.

The California Board of Medical Quality Assurance, however, began investigating Landy Advertisementin 1988 after he entered a business and creative partnership with Wilson in which they shared profits from such ventures as recordings, films, soundtracks and books.

The board accused Landy of "grossly negligent conduct," alleging that his business dealings with Wilson had caused the singer "severe emotional damage, psyc...

Silly: A depiction of the events leading to the death of Brian Jones (Leo Gregory), an interesting, conflicted guy, but this movie is literal-minded and silly.

Rated: R rating is for nudity, language, subject matter Now showing: Varsity Nick gets interviewed (and bedded) by an enterprising reporter (Katie Holmes), and is forced to pay more attention to his son (Cameron Bright), who lives with Nick's resentful ex-wife.

Not every subplot in Nick's life pays off, though the film stays so busy it doesn't matter much.

Punctuating the plot are Nick's drinking and debriefing sessions with two other lobbyists.

They work for the gun and alcohol industries, and the three spinmeisters refer to themselves as the "M.O.D.

Squad," for Merchants of Death.

Maria Bello and David Koechner spew some fine dialogue in the roles.

Eckhart, the monster chauvinist from "In the Company of Men," is an apt choice for Nick; he uses his pasted-on grin and dimples to play up Nick's easy ethics.

Also in the lively cast are Robert Duvall, as a julep-sipping tobacco titan, and J.K.

Simmons, as Eckhart's frantic boss.

For all the movie's laughs, it somehow falls short of greatness.

Director Jason Reitman, son of '80s comedy king Ivan Reitman, keeps the gags and the political incorrectness flying.

But there's an attitude of youthful pranksterism here, rather than, say, the surgical f...