The Daily Show’s Ed Helms plays a naïve Midwestern insurance salesman in the raunchy
comedy with heart Cedar Rapids.
Helms plays delightfully guileless Tim Lippe, who after the mysterious suicide of Brown Valley Insurance’s top salesman, is appointed to represent his firm at an annual insurance convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Tim is an idealist who reveres the insurance man who took care of him after he lost his parents.
Tim is that rare businessman who genuinely cares about his customers. They love him for it. As he ventures onto his first plane ride and touches down in Iowa, everyone he meets is changed by him.
With an innocent sense of wonder that few have, Tim appreciates the little things in life (the hotel pool and hot tub). He’s friendly and ready to open his heart, even when faced with new experiences (like meeting an “Afro-American.”)
The coveted Two Diamond Award is on the line as Tim gamely networks and joins in business rituals. For the first time he drinks cream sherry, sings karaoke and snorts white powder. Tim even hangs out with irresistible party guy Dean Ziegler (artfully played by boisterous John C. Reilly), the very salesman that his uptight boss Bill (Stephen Root) warned him to stay away from.
Married convention-goer Joan Ostrowski-Fox (Anne Heche) seeks to lure Tim into her annual one-night stand at the hotel. Tim pledges his commitment to his lover Macy (Sigourney Weaver, superb as Tim’s newly divorced seventh grade teacher). Calling Macy every few hours, Tim declares that they are “pre-engaged” even though she’s sending him mixed signals.
Ronald Wilkes (Isiah Washington Jr. of The Wire) plays the voice of reason as Tim’s black roommate. The hero’s greatest challenge awaits when he meets one-on-one with Orin Helgesson (Kurtwood Smith), the insurance association’s morally challenged president.
In this very genuine-feeling tale written by Wisconsin native Phil Johnston, each main character becomes fully dimensional. Dean’s wild façade hides his anguish after his wife left him. Joan advises her hubby on the phone about how to handle the kids. Ronald admits he’s a square who enjoys watching HBO.
Alia Shawkat plays a hotel hooker who is charmed by Tim’s decency.
Tim wants to please so much that he has trouble saying no. Finally, friendship and loyalty are the greatest gifts he takes away from Cedar Rapids.
While Miguel Arteta’s film genially pokes fun at the Midwest, it takes aim at the insurance industry and religious double standards as well.
If you like Cedar Rapids, you might enjoy: The Kids Are All Right; Barney’s Version; The Blind Side.
Cedar Rapids 2011 / R / 1 hour, 27 min
Cast: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Stephen Root, Kurtwood Smith, Alia Shawkat, Thomas Lennon, Sigourney Weaver
Director: Miguel Arteta
Genre: Comedy
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