The Promotion (2008)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Steve Conrad

Writer (WGA):

Steve Conrad (written by)

Release Date:

28 August 2008 (Singapore)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Two guys. One job. No rules.

Plot:

Two assistant managers of a corporate grocery store vie for a coveted promotion.

Plot Keywords:

Motivational Tape | Canada | Chicago | Supermarket | Dance

Cast

Seann William Scott	...	Doug Stauber
Chris Conrad	...	Teddy Grahams
Rick Gonzalez	...	Ernesto
Adrian Martinez	...	Octavio
Maestro Harrell	...	First Kid in Parking Lot
Kristopher Lofton	...	Second Kid in Parking Lot
Jarreau Brown	...	Third Kid in Parking Lot
Edwin M. Walker	...	Fourth Kid in Parking Lot
Jamaal C. Adams	...	Fifth Kid in Parking Lot
Mario Larraza	...	Edgar
Tory O. Davis	...	Keith
Fred Armisen	...	Scott Fargas
Bobby Cannavale	...	Dr. Timms
Jenna Fischer	...	Jen Stauber
Richard Henzel	...	Motivational Speaker

Also Known As:

Quebec (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use.

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-11 | Netherlands:6 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

S. Greenwood Avenue between 54th & 55th Streets, Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

Though Donnie Wahls (Nathan Geist) is referred to as a bit too "junior" in the film, in actuality Geist had to pluck gray hairs before each day of filming during production.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Richard Welhner is from Québec, and his car has Québec plates, but vehicles from this province only have license plates on the rear of the vehicle, not on the front.

Quotes:

Doug Stauber: I'm not a lion... I'm a guy.

Mediocrity at it's most benign

Ever sat through one of those movies that you're hoping something's going to happen - and it doesn't? The Promotion is one such movie. Here's the uninspiring story of two guys - both intent on being promoted within a corporate supermarket franchise.

That's the premise - short and sweet. Naturally there's some tension between both men competing for the position, but overall the humor is weak; the competitive nature of the applicants is unconvincing and the story flat-lines a couple of minutes into the film.

John C. Reilly is the hopeful manager from Canada while the incumbent is Seann William Scott.

There's nothing to it, nothing to expect and with only a hint of infidelity or upheaval, it's best left out of the spotlight - preferably collecting dust someplace in a $1 rental outlet...