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

US Showtimes:

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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

Color:

Color

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:

Richard: [to Donnie Wahls] Hey, good luck... because you're gonna' need it.

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".