'The Promotion' deserves a raise
By Bruce R. Miller, Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008
Where was "The Promotion" when we needed it?
Far better than most summer comedies, the "gunfight at the grocery cart corral" has so many funny bits it deserves attention in aisles one, two and three.
Seann William Scott, who's growing out of his bad boy "American Pie" image, plays a hard-working assistant manager at a Chicago area grocery store. He's considered a sure-bet to get his own facility and, then, a rival turns up from a Canadian branch. John C. Reilly, Will Ferrell's frequent collaborator, plays the threat. He's a sad sack who doesn't play fairly but has good intentions.
When the two realize what stands in their way, the competition begins. Writer/director Steve Conrad peppers his film with plenty of insider information. He makes the grocery store regulars utterly believable and gets great support from Jenna Fischer and Lili Taylor as the two wives and Bobby Cannavale as a jerky physician.
Jason Bateman gets a fun cameo as a motivational speaker who runs the two (and their corporate bosses) through a team-building weekend. When Reilly, a thick brick, doesn't understand an exercise, Scott and company get an eyeful.
Scott seems like the logical choice - but he's constantly seen in a dim light. Thugs in the parking lot toss a bottle in his direction, hit him on the head and he responds with Mace. Not a good idea - the move sets off a battle that jeopardizes the store's future.
Scott is forced to make amends - in a way that hurts Reilly even more.
Taylor's choice of accents is questionable. Why does she need it? But Fischer's warmth is just right.
"The Promotion" says plenty about office politics. But it broadcasts even more a bout Scott. He's not just good at hotheads. He's shaping up as a fine leading man. Maybe a promotion is warranted for him, too.
While the DVD's extras aren't much (the deleted scenes deserve to be), the film has enough laughs to ear a solid place next to "Office Space."
Watch and see if you don't recognize the characters. They're as universal as a bar code.
Far better than most summer comedies, the "gunfight at the grocery cart corral" has so many funny bits it deserves attention in aisles one, two and three.
Seann William Scott, who's growing out of his bad boy "American Pie" image, plays a hard-working assistant manager at a Chicago area grocery store. He's considered a sure-bet to get his own facility and, then, a rival turns up from a Canadian branch. John C. Reilly, Will Ferrell's frequent collaborator, plays the threat. He's a sad sack who doesn't play fairly but has good intentions.
When the two realize what stands in their way, the competition begins. Writer/director Steve Conrad peppers his film with plenty of insider information. He makes the grocery store regulars utterly believable and gets great support from Jenna Fischer and Lili Taylor as the two wives and Bobby Cannavale as a jerky physician.
Jason Bateman gets a fun cameo as a motivational speaker who runs the two (and their corporate bosses) through a team-building weekend. When Reilly, a thick brick, doesn't understand an exercise, Scott and company get an eyeful.
Scott seems like the logical choice - but he's constantly seen in a dim light. Thugs in the parking lot toss a bottle in his direction, hit him on the head and he responds with Mace. Not a good idea - the move sets off a battle that jeopardizes the store's future.
Scott is forced to make amends - in a way that hurts Reilly even more.
Taylor's choice of accents is questionable. Why does she need it? But Fischer's warmth is just right.
"The Promotion" says plenty about office politics. But it broadcasts even more a bout Scott. He's not just good at hotheads. He's shaping up as a fine leading man. Maybe a promotion is warranted for him, too.
While the DVD's extras aren't much (the deleted scenes deserve to be), the film has enough laughs to ear a solid place next to "Office Space."
Watch and see if you don't recognize the characters. They're as universal as a bar code.
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