RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / The Promotion
The Promotion

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

The Promotion (2008)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
53 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:74

Fresh:39

Rotten:35

Average Rating:5.7/10

Consensus: With a workplace-related theme worthy of satire, The Promotion features some sharp witticisms but ultimately disappoints.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language including sexual references, and some drug use.

Runtime: 86 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Jun 6, 2008 Limited

Box Office: $362,531

Synopsis: THE PROMOTION is a low-key, deader than deadpan comedy-drama that fans of THE OFFICE should love. The film stars Sean William Scott (AMERICAN PIE) and John C. Reilly (TALLADEGA NIGHTS) as assistant... THE PROMOTION is a low-key, deader than deadpan comedy-drama that fans of THE OFFICE should love. The film stars Sean William Scott (AMERICAN PIE) and John C. Reilly (TALLADEGA NIGHTS) as assistant managers dueling for the same promotion within their Chicago-area grocery chain. Doug (Scott) is initially so sure the job is his that he takes all sorts of financial risks to impress his wife (Jenna Fischer); Richard (Reilly) is a transfer from Canada with an addiction to self-help tapes, plus a druggie biker past he needs to keep under wraps as the interview process heats up and the undercutting begins. Writer-director Steve Conrad continues exploring his fascination with how average Americans measure themselves and fight for their slice of the pie, a study he began in his acclaimed screenplays for THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS and THE WEATHER MAN. As a director he's too caustic and straight-faced to be his generation's Frank Capra, but maybe that just reflects the more complex times. THE PROMOTION captures an America in regression, a land where once-certain futures are suddenly up for grabs, and the film's cagey shifts from improv-style comedy to personal drama keep one guessing all the way to the finish line. Sporting a fetching Scots accent as Richard's better half, the diminutive Lili Taylor (I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, THE ADDICTION) steals what scenes she can. The usually extroverted Scott gets props for playing his emotional cards close to the vest this time, but can't match Reilly for hangdog goofball timing. [More]

Starring: John C. Reilly, Seann William Scott, Jenna Fischer, Lili Taylor

Starring: John C. Reilly, Seann William Scott, Jenna Fischer, Lili Taylor, Fred Armisen, Gil Bellows, Bobby Cannavale, Rick Gonzalez, Chris Conrad

Director: Steve Conrad

Director: Steve Conrad
Screenwriter: Steve Conrad
Producer: Steven A. Jones, Jessika Borsiczky Goyer
Composer: Alex Wurman
Studio: Weinstein Company

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Trailer
    >
    Blapples
    >
    Cracking It
    >
1 - 3 of 3

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Sep 2, 2008

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • In a hilarious take on life in mid-management hell, two junior managers at a Chicago grocery store vie for a coveted promotion, while their wives and their co-workers can only stand back and watch how far the one-upmanship will go to get the job done.
  • Source: Weinstein Company/Genius
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Promotion

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    04/23/09
    Betsy Sherman
    Betsy Sherman
    Boston Phoenix

    The Promotion does sacrifice some comedy in its attempt at depth.

    Full Review Source: MovieMartyr.com | comment Comment
    02/15/09
    Jeremy Heilman
    Jeremy Heilman
    MovieMartyr.com

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    St. Louis Post-Dispatch

    The Promotion may not be much, and you get to know that supermarket uncomfortably well by the end of the 85 minutes. But as I say: He’s an interesting writer.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Michael Phillips
    Michael Phillips
    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    By taking the time to make that connection with the audience, The Promotion ensures we'll forgive these guys anything -- and laugh along with them -- in their quest to advance their lots.

    Full Review Source: Miami Herald | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Rene Rodriguez
    Rene Rodriguez
    Miami Herald

    A nice little comedy about what it takes to climb the corporate ladder and the toll such actions take on the psyche of a decent individual.

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    ...an odd yet compelling comedy...

    Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
    10/16/08
    David Nusair
    David Nusair
    Reel Film Reviews

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
    10/01/08
    Pete Hammond
    Pete Hammond
    Hollywood.com

    A work-retreat sequence is hilarious, thanks to a scene-stealing supporting bit from Jason Bateman. And Reilly's convincing portrayal of the somewhat self-destructive Richard does make the whole thing watchable.

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    07/11/08
    Jeff Vice
    Jeff Vice
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    Two things are missing in this debut directing effort from writer Steve Conrad - a sufficient number of jokes and anybody worth rooting for.

    Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
    07/10/08
    Sean Means
    Sean Means
    Salt Lake Tribune

    ...sharp and intelligent...

    Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
    07/10/08
    Jim Lane
    Jim Lane
    Sacramento News & Review

    Easily one of the freshest, funniest comedies of the year.

    Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
    07/01/08
    Eric D. Snider
    Eric D. Snider
    EricDSnider.com

    The Promotion works as a comedy because, in the depths of our dark hearts, we enjoy seeing the woes that beset our comic antagonists.

    Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
    06/27/08
    Philip Marchand
    Philip Marchand
    Toronto Star
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The Promotion is generally harmless but boring.

    Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
    06/27/08
    Bruce Kirkland
    Bruce Kirkland
    Jam! Movies

    Fails as a comedy because it's less funny and interesting than it would be to watch stars Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly sitting in lawn chairs and talking for 90 minutes.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
    06/27/08
    Phil Villarreal
    Phil Villarreal
    Arizona Daily Star

    Fizzles as a comedy and as an exploration of the stresses of work.

    Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
    06/20/08
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice

    This is one of the more original movies of the year, and it’s the rare film that’s primarily about the workplace.

    Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
    06/16/08
    Richard Roeper
    Richard Roeper
    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    bills itself as a comedy, and elements of it do fall into that category, but at its core, this is an incisive and often merciless deconstruction of the American Dream

    Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    06/15/08
    Andrea Chase
    Andrea Chase
    Killer Movie Reviews

    Tone and pace are absolutely crucial to comedy. If the tone is wrong or the pace is off - by even a hair - the comedy will shrivel up and die. And that's precisely what happens in The Promotion.

    Full Review Source: KPBS.org | comment 2 Comments
    06/14/08
    Beth Accomando
    Beth Accomando
    KPBS.org

    Two regular Joes square off in The Promotion, a sly comedy that finds fresh humor in the workplace.

    Full Review Source: Washington Times | comment Comment
    06/13/08
    Christian Toto
    Christian Toto
    Washington Times
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
    all

    Latest News for The Promotion

    May 25, 2008: Trailer & Poster review Opens in new window
    More...

    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    77% 77% The Hangover
    88% 88% Inglourious Basterds
    66% 66% Public Enemies
    24% 24% G-Force
    44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    82% 82% Paranormal Activity
    57% 57% 9
    44% 44% Jennifer's Body
    58% 58% A Perfect Getaway

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    Critics' Best & Worst

    Critics' Best & Worst

    RT's critic friends offer their choices

    Total Recall

    Total Recall

    We list 10 New Year's Eve-themed films!

    2010 Movie Preview

    2010 Movie Preview

    Find next year's top releases!

    Shrek is Back!

    Shrek is Back!

    Celebrate Shrek's return with this trailer!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Harold Ramis Discusses Filmography, Teases Ghostbusters 3 Source: Heeb Magazine
    10
    • National Film Registry Adds 2009 Selections Source: Hollywood Reporter
    8
    • New Moon Tops Moviefone's 2009 List Source: Hollywood Reporter
    28
    • Star Trek Tops 2009's Most-Pirated Movies List Source: Hollywood Reporter
    19
    • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
    111
    • New Toy Story 3 Clip, Photos Posted Source: Slashfilm
    26
    • Danny Trejo Talks Machete, Possible Sequels Source: Collider.com
    14
    • It's Official: Jackass 3-D Coming in 2010 Source: Collider.com
    16
    • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
    102
    • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
    1
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar, Sherlock, and Alvin Team Up To Break Records
    364
    • Critics Choose Must-Sees and Worsts of 2009
    210
    • RT Editors Choose Their Favorite Films of 2009!
    130
    • RT's Ten Most Popular Movies of 2009
    87
    • Total Recall: New Year's Eve Movies
    39
    • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
    37
    • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: 9 and Paranormal Activity
    31
    • Critics Consensus: The White Ribbon Is Certified Fresh
    23
    • Five Favorites of the Five Favorite Films of 2009
    11
    • Friday Harvest: Sherlock Holmes, Toy Story 3, and more!
    10
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
    72
    • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
    22
    • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
    2
    • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
    17
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    12
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    24
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    8
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    16
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    24
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    9
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • The Promotion at Rotten Tomatoes
    • The Promotion at IGN

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Best Nude Scenes of the Year
    Best Nude Scenes of the Year External Link

    Moviefone lists their top ten nude scenes from film in 2009.

    Hollywood.com's Best of 2009
    Hollywood.com's Best of 2009 External Link

    Thomas Leupp offers us Hollywood.com's take on the best films of the year.

    Best Dozen of the Decade
    Best Dozen of the Decade External Link

    Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

    Top 10 Movies of 2009
    Top 10 Movies of 2009 External Link

    TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

    Top 20 of the Decade
    Top 20 of the Decade External Link

    Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!

    Promos
    Follow RT on Twitter
    Follow RT on Twitter External Link

    Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo
    About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
    IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
    By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
    IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.