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IMDbPro

The Promotion

  • 2008
  • R
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
20K
YOUR RATING
John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott in The Promotion (2008)
The Promotion Trailer
Play trailer2:32
2 Videos
35 Photos
Buddy ComedySatireComedy

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

  • Director
    • Steve Conrad
  • Writer
    • Steve Conrad
  • Stars
    • Seann William Scott
    • John C. Reilly
    • Chris Conrad
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    20K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Steve Conrad
    • Writer
      • Steve Conrad
    • Stars
      • Seann William Scott
      • John C. Reilly
      • Chris Conrad
    • 70User reviews
    • 73Critic reviews
    • 51Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    The Promotion
    Trailer 2:32
    The Promotion
    The Promotion
    Promo 2:25
    The Promotion
    The Promotion
    Promo 2:25
    The Promotion

    Photos35

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    + 28
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Seann William Scott
    Seann William Scott
    • Doug Stauber
    John C. Reilly
    John C. Reilly
    • Richard Wehlner
    Chris Conrad
    Chris Conrad
    • Teddy Grahams
    Rick Gonzalez
    Rick Gonzalez
    • Ernesto
    Adrian Martinez
    Adrian Martinez
    • Octavio
    Maestro Harrell
    Maestro Harrell
    • First Kid in Parking Lot
    Kris D. Lofton
    Kris D. Lofton
    • Second Kid in Parking Lot
    • (as Kristopher Lofton)
    Jarreau Brown
    • Third Kid in Parking Lot
    Edwin Walker
    • Fourth Kid in Parking Lot
    • (as Edwin M. Walker)
    Jamaal C. Adams
    • Fifth Kid in Parking Lot
    Mario Larraza
    • Edgar
    Geremy Webster
    • Breden
    Tory O. Davis
    Tory O. Davis
    • Keith
    Fred Armisen
    Fred Armisen
    • Scott Fargas
    Bobby Cannavale
    Bobby Cannavale
    • Dr. Timms
    Jenna Fischer
    Jenna Fischer
    • Jen Stauber
    Richard Henzel
    Richard Henzel
    • Motivational Speaker
    • (voice)
    Brian Gallivan
    Brian Gallivan
    • Banjo Player #1
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Steve Conrad
    • Writer
      • Steve Conrad
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews70

    5.620K
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    Featured reviews

    7bob_meg

    Lots of nice surprises, too bad the right audience may never find it

    My first clue that "The Promotion" might have a little more below the surface than the usual Seann William Scott junior gag fest was the trailer...it didn't have too much easy humor and the plot seemed genuinely human, and even sensitive. Then there was the fact it was released by Miramax spin-off Dimension, an imprint more well known for horror movies than anything else. Something was up.

    After seeing the film, I am pleased to say that lurking under the veneer of a slightly stupid mass-market comedy is a deftly knowing little indie movie waiting to surface.

    The bad part of course is --- I don't know if many who would like the film will see it. It reminded me a little of "The Good Girl" with Jennifer Anniston. It was well scripted, rather slowly paced, and relied more on the script and storyline for laughs rather than leaning too heavily on the star-power of it's two principles.

    The scene at the team-building retreat (dead-on if you've ever been to one) is a prime example. Yeah, there are a few pratfalls, but most of the time you're shriveling in your seat feeling horribly for John Reilly.

    He's always been incredible at cutting to the human core of all his characters and he really shines in this part. You don't feel sorry for him as much as you feel empathy. And that's not the easiest thing to do with this character, who is far from lily white. As for Scott, he is definitely growing into an accomplished character actor and it's refreshing to see him tackle something this gray and still turn in a resonating performance. Some of the reviewers see him as a "wimp"....well, that's a bit too easy. I see him as distinctly human.

    I'm also surprised that this comes from Steve Conrad, whose prior scripts I've always thought of as a bit heavy on the syrup. Nothing is forced here. Yeah, not much happens...this is a slice of life movie, albeit one with a funny crust.

    It really is a shame it wasn't marketed a bit differently. It sucks to go into a movie expecting something and getting nothing close to what you expected out of it. Which, fortunately for me this time, wasn't the case.
    8Oxycute2001

    An enchanting tale

    Some comedies make you laugh out loud, but this one makes you smile inside.

    A languid tale of competition and two guys just trying to get bye in the world, both afraid of failure and willing to hurt the other to make it but each wrapped up in tragedy and common decency.

    It will come as a surprise to many that Seann William Scott can actually act and he has real if understated presence in this.

    John C Reilly is his usual excellent self but it is the tale that is the real star.

    It is easy to make a comedy based on physical slapstick or outrageous language and acts. This one relies on a script and rhythmn and a gentleness of heart.

    Without ever threatening to split one's sides, it is a nice film and well worth a watch.
    Gordon-11

    A story with depth and charm

    This film is about two assistant managers of a supermarket fighting for a promotion to become the manager of the new branch.

    The two assistant managers, Doug and Richard, are both developed well. They come across as real human beings that I care about. They are both torn between their need to climb up the ladder, but are both restrained by their morals. This soul searching is beautifully depicted, giving the story depth and charm.

    I find "The Promotion" to be very well made. It successfully strikes the right balance between dirty office politics, reflections on moral issues and humour. This is really hard, given the fact that the topic of the film is likely to arouse some negative emotions in the viewer's own work place. I really enjoyed watching "The Promotion".
    8matt-n-ay

    I'm Promoting "The Promotion"

    This movie is FAR better than the 5.6 star rating it has. Well written, hilarious, subtle, poignant, well-acted. The premise is so beautifully simple, but the movie is rich with human interest/condition situations. It's definitely a sleeper/winner and worth the watch.
    6ksf-2

    script needed more fun. or something.

    A weinstein production. Sean scott and john reilly play assistant managers who are both vying for the same manager position. For all the big names in this, something was just lacking. Editing was one issue; those long, weird pauses really keep the film from moving right along. Also a weak script. We've all worked in a supermarket, or some similar job, where the public is weird and unpredictable, but instead of making jokes about it, the confrontations between the two leads are negative and dark. There is a small role for jason bateman, who seems to find fun, odd roles. Fred armisen, bobby canavale, lili taylor, jenna fischer. So many well known names. I think it wants to be a funny, quirky film, but it's just not that funny. And not that quirky. Felt like an adam sandler film. But its not. Written and directed by steven conrad. I'm glad it didn't escalate into huge violence, like so many films do. It's just okay.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jim Carrey was briefly interested in the lead role.
    • Goofs
      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

      Richard: We're all just out here trying to get some food... sometimes, we bump into each other.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Burn After Reading/Traitor/College/Babylon A.D./Hamlet 2 (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Maneater
      Written by Sara Allen, Daryl Hall and John Oates

      Performed by Clair Marlo and her Orchestra

      Courtesy of Invisible Hand Productions

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    FAQ

    • How long is The Promotion?
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    • A NOTE ABOUT SPOILERS

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 13, 2008 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Quebec
    • Filming locations
      • Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production company
      • Dimension Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $8,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $408,709
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $30,493
      • Jun 8, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $457,690
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott in The Promotion (2008)
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