The Promotion Review

Published by Jeff Leins on: September 2nd, 2008

The Promotion is a small, surprising workplace satire with plenty of laughs and a heartfelt story about two guys trying to make it in the corporate world.

With Seann William Scott, who can’t live down his Stifler role in American Pie, and the goofy John C. Reilly starring, you might expect a silly slapstick comedy, but instead it’s a dry, wittier turn for the two comic actors. They both play assistant managers at a grocery store vying for the same store manager position at a nearby grand opening.

Steve Conrad’s direction and script has the same humor as “The Office,” with characters awkwardly saying something inappropriate and waiting patiently for the audience to appreciate the uncomfortable hilarity. (He even cast Jenna Fisher, the adorable Pam on the show, but unfortunately her comedic talents go underused.) If you enjoy that style of comedy, this movie may be something to seek out on DVD starting today.

The plot more closely resembles Office Space or Waiting, two stories about jaded employees putting up with unnatural company etiquette, an ever-present herd of uncompromising bosses, and irrational customers. This movie appeals to anyone who has ever competed for a promotion with the guy who didn’t deserve it or smiled politely to a customer taking advantage of your business restraint.

Doug Stauber (Scott) is a wholesome, diligent assistant manager paying his dues. He suffers through “lot duty” which consists of corralling runaway shopping carts and shooing away the loitering misfits. This is worse due to the customer comment cards he’s responsible for that say things like “A kid in your lot kidney punched me because I offended him by doing nothing.”

Stauber was a “shoe in” for the promotion to upper management and head of the new store until Richard Welhner (Reilly) relocated from a Canadian branch. Welhner is annoyingly likable, earnestly doing his best much to Doug’s chagrin.

The movie uses voice over effectively, going for one-liners from the comment cards to overhearing the self-help tape with funny name splices for “Richard Welhner.” Scott’s “nice guy” voice gives you a better understanding of what he’s really thinking while he calmly endures his work.

At first it’s a friendly rivalry, but it quickly becomes a ruthless competition to impress the board members. Conrad thankfully doesn’t take the battle to a ridiculous level, instead keeping it a realistic match-up between two regular Joes.  But the heightened tension never really amounts to much of a payoff, sort of fizzling out to a serious, satisfying conclusion.

However, there are some very funny parts in this relatable comedy that make The Promotion worth a look.

3.5 out of 5.