Review of The Promotion (2008) by Danielle S — 03 Nov 2008

Normally, assistant manager at a grocery store is the kind of position you would have hoped to grow out of by your thirties but Doug (Seann William Scott) has settled into it. He's not exactly happy, but certainly would like to help provide his wife (Jenna Fischer), a nurse earning the bread-winner title, with the home in the Chicago suburbs they've always wanted.

When its announced that a new branch of the store is opening in the city, Doug immediately adds his name for consideration to be head manager, an idea encouraged by his boss (Fred Armisen), who is hardly the poster of executive exuberance.

A new employee has just been added to their location though. Richard (John C. Reilly) arrives from Canada with all the robotic, yet seemingly genuine, congeniality that customer service outlets crave and announces that he's in the running for the job as well.

The Promotion finds its success more as a semi-serious examination of two characters with much to lose trying to get ahead.