The Promotion Reviews

A bit Alexander Payne social satire, a bit Mike Judge's "Office Space," "The Promotion" keeps the laughter mostly low-key while addressing deflating truths about occupational angst -writer/director Steve Conrad's sturdy thematic stock-in-trade.

Full Review | Comment | Original Score: 3.5/4

Sort of a Dilbert riff, only lower on the food chain.

Full Review | Comment

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

Full Review | Comment | Original Score: 50/100

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 | Comment | Original Score: 2.5/4

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.

Comment | Original Score: 3/4

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 | Comment | Original Score: 3/4

...an odd yet compelling comedy...

Full Review | Comment | Original Score: 2.5/4

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 | Comment | Original Score: 2.5/4

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

Comment | Original Score: 2/4

...sharp and intelligent...

Full Review | Comment | Original Score: 4/5

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

Full Review | Comment | Original Score: A-

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 | Comment | Original Score: 3/4

The Promotion is generally harmless but boring.

Full Review | Comment | Original Score: 2/5

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 | Comment | Original Score: 2/4

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

Full Review | Comment | Original Score: 1/5

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

Comment

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 | Comment | Original Score: 4/5

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 | Comments (2)

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

Full Review | Comment | Original Score: 2.5/4

The Promotion tries for the dry, low-key vibe of Election, but its humor is not so much dry as evaporated.

Full Review | Comment | Original Score: 1/4