Rated: R

Meet Doug (Scott) -- He's an average married guy. He tries to provide for his wife, maintain a job as an assistant manager at the local grocery Donaldson's, and like the rest of us commoners, he wants to DO something with his life. There is a new managerial position opening at a new Donaldson's location. This is the greatest (and only) opportunity for him to start making a little extra money so he can afford a nice home for him and his wife; one where banjo-playing neighbors aren't strumming in the strangest of places with the slightest of sounds slipping through their bedroom apartment wall... This is the chance he needs so he can be the one to say "this is my beautiful wife; this is my beautiful house..."

Now meet Richard (Reilly) -- "Hi, my name is Richard and I am a recovering substance addict." He is also Donaldson's new assistant manager who traveled all the way from Canada for a fresh start. He is a father and a husband. His bills are adding up...and yes -- he is going to go after the new managerial position at the same location as Doug.

What ensues is a sneaky game of cat and mouse as both Doug and Richard vie for the corporation's approval as the new Donaldson's manager. In a different world, these two fellas might have been good friends. Because they both want and need this upgrade to their salaries to cover their desire for better lives, the best they can hope for is an understanding and a glimmer of civility.

As one might imagine, both do naughty things to get each other into trouble, although most of the time they end up sabotaging themselves instead. While much of the play by play is humorous fun, there are facets of reality thrown in that bring a unique depth to both characters.

Each of these men must come to terms with their conscience. They must consider how far they are willing to go to be the better man. How far would you go? That is the question one ponders whilst sitting through this dramedy. Competition is a very real thing in this world. Whether in school, at work or at play, there is always pressure to be the best in everything you do. You must make something of yourself or you are worthless. There is no place for "second place". These are the rules by which many of us have grown up believing. These are the values Doug and Richard must embrace or deny.

Both characters discover their inner truths in different ways, whether via a thumb print made pointedly in the open air or an old children's magazine from the 1960s, each uncover the limitations of being number one, and the reality behind the lost humanity when that is all one strives for without consideration for others around them.

While humor has its definite place setting in this production, the drama provides the substance for the audience to feast upon. John C. Reilly is witty with his portrayal of Richard, bringing to the table everything his fans have come to expect from his performances. Seann William Scott was the stand-out in this film however, taking a sweet dip into the seriousness and gravity of his character's reality and inner workings. His talent fuels the movie's rotation back and forth between the light-hearted laugh-out-loud moments, and the soul-searching glimpses of realism. Drama is definitely something he should do more of.

Final Analysis: While there are moments that tend to be a bit drawn out (which is an editing quibble), The Promotion blends humor and depth in a way that will have you laughing one moment and lost in deep thought the next.

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

This Reviewer's Rating: 4.5 / 5

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