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The Promotion

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In its low-key, offbeat way, The Promotion represents such a relief from the onslaught of raucous, anything-for-a-yok comedies that one can't help feeling grateful. This directorial debut of Steve Conrad, who wrote the Will Smith comedy-drama The Pursuit of Happyness, offers a lot to like--ingratiating performances, some funny scenes and knowing touches, and actually being about something: the real-world dilemmas that go with needing a job and having a hard time getting or hanging on to one. But "low-key" is a friendly way of saying the movie's a mite slack, and the trouble with "offbeat" is that you can't always be sure there is a beat. Chief location is a scuffed-up supermarket in an inner-city Chicago neighborhood "where customers come first, even customers who are nuts," and local youth in the parking lot bedevil shoppers and staff out of boredom. The assistant manager, Doug (Seann William Scott, far from Stiffler mode), aspires to be given charge of a new, slightly more upscale market the company is opening. He's encouraged to believe he has the inside track--except who's this guy Richard (John C. Reilly), freshly emigrated from Canada and suddenly competing for the promotion in a deferential, north-of-the-border fashion that can't even be called passive-aggressive?

The stars deliver shaded performances that never turn buffoonish--even Reilly's aria of comic desperation in which the phrase "bad apples" takes an irretrievably ruinous turn as he speaks with some black civic leaders. They get yeoman support from Jenna Fischer and Lili Taylor in the underwritten roles of the rivals' wives, Fred Armisen as the guys' feckless superior, Gil Bellows as a psychobabbly corporate exec, and Jason Bateman in a cameo as a motivational speaker working a company picnic. --Richard T. Jameson

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(5 stars) - Very Well Written
This is a very well written movie about how life isn't always what it seems. Just when you think life's plan is already laid out and things appear to be set in stone, and there is nothing you can do to have it go your way, life does a 360 and surprises you. That is pretty much how things turn out for the two main characters of "Promotion". Two good performances from the leading actors, and the story flows. If you work with someone, and you are competing for a promotion, you should see this movie, not only can you relate, but it may make you feel better when in the situation when it seems that the other candidate has the leading edge over you. Life isn't always what it seems!

(5 stars) - Highly Recommended.
I really liked this movie. You won't be dissapointed. The end brings an unexpected revelation about the main character, that will surprise everybody.

(4 stars) - Funny Movie
I would not consider this movie to be thought provoking. It's a good movie to watch when you have had a hard day at work or you just want to be entertained.

(4 stars) - Joe's Review
Seann William Scott is excellent in this movie. John C Reilly & Jenna Fischer are underused. Also Lili Taylor's Scottish accent, is one of the worst I have ever heard!! ON an overall opinion though, the movie is a nice tale about one man's efforts to better himself, not only for himself, but for the sake of his family. Scott's on sccreen chemistry with Reilly, really makes this movie work.

(3 stars) - Pretty Good!!!
I thought this was just okay. There were a few funny moments, but nothing that really made me laugh out loud. Doug and Richard both try to get the manager job offered at the supermarket that they work at. If you like Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly, you might like THE PROMOTION!!!

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The Promotion

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