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The Promotion

After years of reviewing movies and consistently raving more about smaller films that generate a moderate box office than the huge blockbusters with no heart but a huge return, I think the time has finally come when everyone else will actually agree with me enough to get out there to theaters and make a small film a big financial success!

Judging from the overwhelmingly positive audience response at the South by Southwest Film Festival and according to a hugely favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes it seems that the masses are finally agreeing with the Deev"¦ The Promotion is a fantastically funny, emotionally moving film that satisfies on many, many levels.

Doug, expertly played by the always charming and never difficult to look at Seann William Scott, is an average Joe kind of guy who works as an assistant manager at a local grocery store chain and is married to a beautiful woman that he loves. As he realizes time beginning to pass by a bit more quickly, Doug decides to take the next step and apply to be a full manager at a newly established store in a better part of town. The new position would at last allow him to buy the house he's always wanted and will give them the chance settle in and start a family. He's a shoe in for the promotion until his unexpected Canadian competition arrives.

Richard Wellner, played by John C. Reilly a man with unparalleled comedic timing by the way, arrives in town with much the same ambitions as Doug; he has his eyes set firmly on the prize and is adamant to not let anything, even the in house golden boy himself get in his way.

As you would expect from the description, several contest like situations arise between the two with each winning some and losing others. What's not clear from the basic outline, however, is the gravitas that each of these moments brings to the film. These aren't two 'caricatures' who can be slapstick-like and silly with no real consequences; the entire film is presented in a very real life way. That grounding in reality is what makes the comedy at times incredibly dry and awkward, but also creates other moments that are laugh out loud hysterical.

The performances across the board are great. You never question any ones position or authenticity in this world. Even down to the amazing supporting cast including an un-credited Bobby Cannavale who plays the arrogant Doctor who's more than a little interested in Doug's wife and whose penchant for calling him 'Guy' because he can't be bothered to remember his actual name is priceless.

American Pie alumn Seann William Scott is the unchallenged lead of the film

and he does amazing things with his character. Moments that in the hands of a lesser actor would be very one dimensional and stale are multi layered and moving coming from Scott. He's in this competition with someone that he wants to beat, but he also isn't without respect or empathy for the man standing in his shoes just on the other side of the counter. The standard good guy bad guy motif would never work here and was wisely never used.

Of course without an equally talented actor to play off of Scott would have only won half the battle. Fortunately John C. Reilly steps in without missing a single beat. He can take the most absurd moment and present it in such an authentic way that we can all see ourselves in what he portrays. There's a motivational tape bit that is a running joke throughout the film that never loses steam and I guarantee when you see the film it'll stick in your mind for a long time. And those of us with confidence issues of our own might even jump online to see where we can purchase such a fine motivational tool.

I also have to say on a quick personal note I had the opportunity to interview Seann just before writing this review and I have to say, he is one of the nicest guys I've met in my now over 10 year career of interviewing the Hollywood hot shots; so the fact that I loved the film and the people who made it make this one of those awesome times when I have zero doubt about recommending this to people.

The huge blockbuster season of 2008 is far from over but as far as smart comedies go, The Promotion is in a league all its own as the hands down funniest film I've seen so far this year! Go and see it in theaters to get the full communal experience of seeing it with an audience and I guarantee you'll thank me for it!

Movie Grade: A-

Synopsis:

Dueling assistant managers of a local grocery store (Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly) vie for a coveted promotion to manage the bigger, fancier store soon to be opened by their corporate employers.