These are what we call the 'YMMV items.' Things that some people find in this work. We call them 'your mileage might vary' because not everyone sees these things in the same way. This starts discussions in the trope lists, a thing we don't want. Please use the discussion page if you'd like to discuss any of these items.
Affably Evil: Nick earns his living by defending and promoting cigarette companies, but he's a devoted father and rather charming and likable man.
Even more is Bobby Jay Bliss, the gun control lobbyist. It's rare to see a N.R.AS.A.F.E.T.Y member so sympathetic in a movie. He almost borders on Evil Is Funny with the M.O.D. stickers. It's mentioned in the book that he's a Born-again Christian.
Crazy Awesome: Jeff, the movie producer. Best shown by this quote, in response to Jeff calling Nick at four in the morning:
Fridge Logic: Will a "POISON" label on cigarettes really discourage teens from smoking? Wouldn't that be... cooler?
They actually do make a brand like this in the book with this line of thinking, and there's also a mention of brands in some European countries that had been doing this for a long time. They didn't want every brand to carry it, but in the book and in a deleted scene in the movie, Nick works with the marketing teams to make it work in their favour as much as possible, including an idea to have the skull match that ofMr. Rogers'.
Hilarious in Hindsight: In the previous film Katie Holmes appeared in before this, Batman Begins, she portrayed Rachel Dawes, the Love Interest of the title character. In this film, her character, Heather, has a sexual relationship with Nick, portrayed by Aaron Eckhart. Eckhart would later go on to portray Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight, involved in a relationship with Rachel Dawes (though this time round portrayed by Maggie Gyllenhaal).
The "POISON" packaging that the characters work so hard to prevent? Similar packaging was put into effect less than a year later in Australia. Not much has changed.
Villain Protagonist: Depending on your perspective on smoking. Nick Naylor is played straight as a classic protagonist in a Hero's Journey, despite being what many would consider a villain in the cigarette wars.
