The Promotion (2008)

2.0

COMEDY
U.S. Release Date: 06/06/08
Running Length: 86 Minutes
MPAA Classification: R (Profanity, Drugs, Sexual Situations)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Cast: Seann William Scott, John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer, Lili Taylor, Fred Armisen, Gil Bellows
Director: Steven Conrad
Screenplay: Steven Conrad
Cinematography: Lawrence Sher
Music: Alex Wurman
U.S. Distributor: Dimension Films

Review by: Carter Moulton

12/29/08

Unsuccessful at balancing vulgarity and charm, The Promotion is somewhat humorous, easily forgotten entertainment. Since the film saw a limited release, I expected a more subtle comedic approach. Unfortunately the film is extremely uneven. It's like a mix between I Heart Huckabees and American Pie. The first half of the film introduces some funny material, only to have it recycled in the second half. Director Steven Conrad (who wrote The Pursuit of Happyness) keeps the film a step above mediocrity with his quirky use of comedic timing.

The story is simple: Doug Stauber (played by Seann William Scott) is an assistant manager at a local grocery store that has plans to build a new supermarket across town. This new store will need a manager, which opens up a position for Doug. All is going smoothly, and Doug is going to get the job. But wait. Enter John C. Reilly as Richard Wehlner, a transfer from Canada. Richard is experienced, nice, and offers competition for the position. Doug lives with his wife, Jen (Jenna Fischer), in an apartment, next door to some guy who enjoys playing the banjo (a joke that was reused one too many times). For some reason (to impress his wife?), Doug buys a house that he can’t afford before he’s guaranteed the job.

Photo © Dimension Films

The plot is thin, asking us to care about supermarket drama, but there are entertaining moments here and there. Seann William Scott is likable enough, and it’s good to see him out of the “Stifler” persona. Reilly’s character is actually the more adolescent of the two. He’s secretly addicted to drugs, alcohol, and swearing. Reilly has fun with the role and squeezes out every laugh he can. Look for Jason Bateman in a memorable cameo towards the middle of the film. The Promotion is at its best when Steven Conrad shows promise behind the camera. Conrad obviously knows how to sell a good joke. His uses of long takes really accentuate The Promotion. In particular, two scenes involving “cheese” and “apples” stand out as scenes where the technique was used successfully.

The problem with The Promotion is that its charm is shattered by some of its tasteless dialogue. What Conrad builds with his direction, he destroys with his script. When the movie attempts to be dramatic, it exposes the flaws even more because we can’t take the film seriously. These variations lead to an artificial product. It’s a perplexing situation, because the film has some refreshingly witty gags. Perhaps more revisions would have uncovered this inconsistency in the screenplay. Certainly watchable, The Promotion is a potpourri—sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, occasionally offensive, and ultimately unsatisfying.