Cedar Rapids (2011)

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.

One thought on “Cedar Rapids (2011)”

  1. 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!

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