MOVIE REVIEW: "The Promotion"

Seann William Scott used to be Stifler, the ultimate arrested development type who lorded over the "American Pie" franchise. But in "The Promotion," he's a married man trying to earn enough money to buy his wife their dream house.

Everyone has to grow up, even on screen.

Scott plays Doug, an assistant manager at a Chicago supermarket who thinks he's a lock for the managerial position at the chain's newest location. That's before Canadian import Richard (John C. Reilly) gets transferred to Doug's store.

Now, both Doug and Richard are gunning for the same job. The gig would let Doug and his wife (Jenna Fischer) leave their noisy apartment for a home of their own. Richard's motivation is more complicated. He's a recovering addict trying to keep his nose clean for his stern but sweet Scottish wife (Lili Taylor).

Sounds like a pretense for juvenile slapstick and oh, too obvious gags, right? Not quite. Writer/director Steve Conrad ("The Pursuit of Happyness") keeps the humor subtle here, piling running gags atop a character-driven story that feels uncomfortably real. Witness Doug's frustration when he tries to bring order to the supermarket's parking lot - a magnet for ne'er do wells.

Conrad doesn't push either the situational comedy or the characters far enough, which too often leaves "The Promotion" running in neutral. Reilly remains a fine comic actor, but his role isn't believably fleshed out to make this rivalry click.

"The Promotion" will get lost in the big movie shuffle this weekend, but expect it to enjoy a far warmer reception for its eventual DVD release.

(Photo: Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly scare off in "The Promotion" - photo credit: Chuck Hodes/TWC 2008)

• 
• Comment