Yet another of Alec Guinness' clever British comedies, The Promoter (also known as The Card) is a charming story of a young man who isn't necessarily very bright but is certainly very resourceful. He climbs the economic and social ladders via unconventional, sometimes shady means -- but he's not greedy or power hungry as this may sound. He just wants to beat the odds thrust upon him by the low station in life he was born into and fulfill his dreams. And he does it smiling through his triumphs and downfalls both. But the one area where he's not so clever is regarding a certain predatory young lady, who threatens to undermine all he's accomplished.

As always, Alec Guinness is the very essence of class and sophistication yet can still be funny. This is far from his best vehicle -- there aren't so many laughs in this one as there is amusement -- but it's an entertaining film nonetheless and a fine example of the British art of subtlety.