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IMDbPro

The Promotion

  • 20082008
  • RR
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
19K
YOUR RATING
John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott in The Promotion (2008)
The Promotion Trailer
Play trailer2:32
2 Videos
35 Photos
  • Comedy
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.
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
19K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Steve Conrad
  • Writer
    • Steve Conrad
  • Stars
    • Seann William Scott
    • John C. Reilly
    • Chris Conrad
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steve Conrad
  • Writer
    • Steve Conrad
  • Stars
    • Seann William Scott
    • John C. Reilly
    • Chris Conrad
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 63User reviews
    • 73Critic reviews
    • 51Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

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

    Photos35

    John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott in The Promotion (2008)
    John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott in The Promotion (2008)
    John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott in The Promotion (2008)
    Creed Bratton at an event for The Promotion (2008)
    Fred Armisen at an event for The Promotion (2008)
    Larry Bishop at an event for The Promotion (2008)
    Oscar Nuñez at an event for The Promotion (2008)
    Seann William Scott at an event for The Promotion (2008)
    Seann William Scott at an event for The Promotion (2008)
    Seann William Scott at an event for The Promotion (2008)
    Kate Flannery and Oscar Nuñez at an event for The Promotion (2008)
    Seann William Scott, Fred Armisen, and Jenna Fischer at an event for The Promotion (2008)

    Top cast

    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
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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

    • Connections
      Featured in The Great Canadian Supercut (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Maneater
      Written by Sara Allen, Daryl Hall and John Oates

      Performed by Clair Marlo and her Orchestra

      Courtesy of Invisible Hand Productions

    User reviews63

    Review
    Top review
    4/10
    A weak movie.
    I expected a bit more from this movie, if only because of Steve Conrad's involvement as well as two decent leads for that type of movie. Unfortunately, Conrad, who is usually a good writer, really delivered his weakest story and lines here. Perhaps the double duty as writer and director didn't help.

    Seann William Scott will never be mistaken for an Oscar performing actor but he usually has energy and a charisma that is very evident on the screen. Here, he really seems uninspired. There seems to be an attempt to pull a Jim Carrey or Will Ferrell with a performance that would be partly funny, partly tragic. Unfortunately, he fails on both fronts. John C Reilly, who is both a tremendous character actor and a great comedy guy is the most disappointing aspect of the movie. He utterly fails at making this character believable in any way and, at times, it seems he is reciting lines at a private rehearsal. Really, really bad. The actresses playing the wives of our main characters are equally uninteresting and unconvincing. Special mention goes to Lili Taylor in another awful role. Her worse performance ever and would have been worthy of a Razzie award if the movie was higher profile and her role more prominent.

    There's still a nice basic plot, some moments are funny enough. The motivational tapes of Richard Welhner make for a nice running gag, until it becomes overused. By the end of the movie, we're just glad when Reilly throws that away on the sidewalk. The last arc of the film is even weaker than the rest, with a botched resolution. It really could have been a new kind of Office Space but unfortunately, those throwing that comparison are absolutely mistaken and need some more perspective. There simply aren't any classic elements in The Promotion, while Office Space is a top 10 comedy of all time. Quite a difference between the two, really.

    Perhaps a director working with Conrad would have helped keep a sense of direction. A recast of the main characters (or much better actor direction) was also needed. The movie is a decent way to kill time but doesn't offer anything beyond that.
    helpful•47
    41
    • Siamois
    • Aug 25, 2008

    FAQ1

    • 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

    Technical specs

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

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