Sunday, June 15, 2008
A+E, Movies, Reviews

The Promotion

‘Promotion’ offers unlikely primary parable 

“The Promotion” probably wasn’t intended as a metaphor for the Democratic primary race, but they turn out to have a lot in common.

The movie isn’t exactly a remake of “Employee of the Month,” but it’s another comedy about a competition between big-box employees. Doug Stauber (Seann William Scott) and Richard Welnner (John C. Reilly) aren’t fighting over Jessica Simpson—both men are happily married (to Jenna Fischer and Lili Taylor, respectively)—but for the chance to move up to manager when a new Chicago store opens. Doug is a shoo-in for the job until Richard moves down from Quebec. As co-assistant managers of a Donaldson’s supermarket under manager Scott Fargas (Fred Armisen), they watch the balance shift back and forth between them, like Barack and Hillary, sometimes taking proactive steps (usually in the form of dirty tricks) to shift it.

At first, Doug seems like our hero because he’s narrating, has the most to lose and gets blindsided when he’s nearing the finish line. As for Richard, who gets sympathy for being in recovery for alcohol and drugs, well, he seems nice, most of the time, although maybe he plays the recovery card a little too often. But neither man seems totally qualified for the position, being less than great at their current jobs.

There’s not a whole lot to “The Promotion,” but it gets to you, like a puppy that’s lovable even when it bites. This slow-breaking curveball of a movie is likely to win a cult following, including many of the same people who embraced “Office Space.” 2.5 STARS—Steve Warren