From NetFlix:
Terrified of leaving his tiny town for the first time, sheltered insurance salesman Tim (Ed Helms) nervously sets out for the bright lights of bustling Cedar Rapids, where he attends a chaotic insurance convention and learns how to survive in the real world. Miguel Arteta directs this delightful fish-out-of-water comedy that also features Sigourney Weaver, Rob Corddry, John C. Reilly and Anne Heche.
Lebanon, PA (2010) and “Cedar Rapids” are two films about small-town USA that could not be more different. Whereas the former touches sensitively on contemporary problems, the latter is a vulgar romp at an insurance convention.
Which is not to say this B-movie doesn’t offer at least something worth saying. As luck would have it I convinced my wife Kathy that we could watch this film together. As far as I know, Kathy has forgiven me. In fact we both learned some really crass and original sexual remarks that were a revelation. John C. Reilly expertly paints himself as a gross, aging, alcoholic adolescent who eventually grew on me (is that a good sign ?).
Underneath this layer of prurience there is a story. Ed Helms (Stu in the “Hangover” films , is there a pattern here ?) plays in somewhat an exaggerated and at time embarrassing manner the role of a timid, naive, and very honest insurance salesman Tim whose experiences at this convention sadly teach him the not-so-honest ways of this world. You just have to accept that such a person could possibly exist and would triumph unbelievably in the end.
Meanwhile just sit back, learn some really colorful language, and watch (or cringe at) the fun.
From Bev Freeman:
Hi there – I read your review. John Reilly made me cringe for three-fourths of the movie and then I thought it so skillful how he was appealing by the end. The movie wasn’t to say anything – in fact I didn’t think it said a thing. It was a slice in time at an insurance convention and a little bit of redemption for a misguided, shy, naive insurance salesman. It was the Iowa-ness that got to me and amused me to my funny bone. It is true to life, Tony – you could visit an insurance convention in a hotel in CR today and experience exactly what was portrayed. It is true to life and small town. The woman in the group troubled me – a woman with a husband and kids throwing herself at men each year at the meeting for the sake of it. She didn’t seem to need sex. She didn’t have a lot of affection for him – thought him amusing – but I think she so needed a good time because her regular life was too boring for words. This I can picture.
I hope Kathy liked it a little. I think I recommended she watch with you. I hope she has forgiven me!