The Promotion (2008)

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

Director:

Steve Conrad (as Steven Conrad)

Writer:

Steve Conrad

Stars:

Seann William Scott, John C. Reilly, Chris Conrad

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 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	...	Keith
Fred Armisen	...	Scott Fargas
Bobby Cannavale	...	Dr. Timms
Jenna Fischer	...	Jen Stauber

Storyline

At 33, Doug Stauber is ready for a promotion. He's married, wants to buy a house, and is assistant manager at a Chicago supermarket that's building a new store in his neighborhood. His boss tells him he's a shoo-in to manage the new store, then, a rival appears - Richard Wehlner, transferred from Canada. Richard has a deeper resume than Doug, is really nice, has a wife and daughter, and wants the promotion to manager too. How should Doug behave toward Richard - as a friend, a colleague, a competitor, or an enemy? Richard, it seems, has demons and a past, but with the help of motivational tapes, he's resolved to succeed. Corporate and personal tests await the two men.

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Plot Keywords:

motivational tape | canada | supermarket | urination | masturbation | 

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Taglines:

Two guys. One job. No rules.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

14A

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

28 August 2008 (Singapore)

Also Known As:

La promotion

Filming Locations:

S. Greenwood Avenue between 54th & 55th Streets, Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$30,493 (USA) (6 June 2008)

Gross:

$406,252 (USA) (11 July 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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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.

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Quotes

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

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Soundtracks

Rise
(1986)
Written by John Lydon and Bill Laswell (as William Laswell)
Performed by Public Image Ltd.
Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group
by arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing and licensed courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd

User Reviews

Well written and realistic ................

"The Promotion" could easily have been written as a gross out comedy, in which case it could take it's place among the many failures of that overworked genre. Instead, it is a drama that includes amusing situations, none of which resort to slapstick for laughs. Sensitive performances by both Sean William Scott and John C. Reilly, add immeasurably to the film. There is a feeling that "I've been in situations like this myself". In the end the movie has a lot to say about honesty and relationships. Both main characters elicit sympathy, and the outcome of the supermarket promotion is in doubt until the final deciding interview. - MERK