Limacher Low Down: I saw the previews for Cedar Rapids and thought it would be the quirky, independent comedy that I tend to really enjoy; I wasn’t let down by this at all! Though it may seem from the print ads and commercials that this is Ed Helms next step into the leading man role, it was John C. Reilly who provided most of the comedy and once again shows how funny he is. I find that being from a small Midwestern town also helped my enjoyment of this movie, but it has laughs for everyone and tells a good story as well.
Cedar Rapids is a movie about a Midwest Insurance Convention that takes place annually in, you guessed it, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The movie starts off with mild mannered insurance salesperson Tim Lippe (Ed Helms), looking into his love life with his old teacher Macy Vanderhei (Sigourney Weaver), his boss Bill Krogstad (Stephen Root), and the people he represents. After a tragic accident to a fellow insurance salesperson, Bill chooses Tim to represent the firm at the insurance convention.
Tim arrives in Cedar Rapids and the first person he meets is Bree (Alia Shawkat) who asks him if he wants to “party” and Tim politely, not knowing the meaning of party, declines the invitation. Once inside Tim goes over his list of people to talk to and those to avoid. The hotel where the convention is becomes overbooked and Tim shares a room with one person Bill told him to associate himself with, Ronald Wilkes (Isiah Whitlock Jr.). Ronald lets Tim know, to save some money, he took on an additional rommie, a person on Bill’s avoid list Dean “Ziggy” Ziegler (John C. Reilly). Tim is hesitant of his newest acquaintance and Ronald and Tim make their way to the “Welcome Meeting”.
The meeting is over and Tim is working out in the gym when he eyes a woman working out as well, Joan Ostrowski-Fox (Anne Heche). After some good-natured ribbing by Joan, Tim meets the Head of the Convention, Orin Helgesson (Kurtwood Smith) in the locker room in one of the most awkward greetings ever seen! Tim, trying to keep up appearances, meets his new acquaintances at the local bar and as they consume shot after shot, Tim orders a shot of Cream Sherry! CREAM F’NG SHERRY! This is where the humor starts coming fresh in every scene.
Tim and Joan team up for the scavenger hunt and begin to bond. In one of the more heartfelt moments of the movie, Tim explains to Joan why he wanted to be an insurance salesperson his entire life. This leads us to the time where Tim truly bonds with Joan and his new found friends Ron and Ziggy. Ziggy pulls no punches about his feelings for Orin and tries to show Tim “the Path of Righteousness”. Tim later on makes what can be described as poor choices in hanging out with his new friends and may have lost more than just his dignity in doing so.
Tim gets an early morning call from Bill alerting him of how he is messing up his own life in just a few short hours and to do whatever it takes to re-earn the reputation of the insurance company. Tim, using some information he acquired, does the job necessary to restore the reputation of the company, but at what price? Feeling bad about what he has done, Tim decides to go to a party with Bree. This isn’t your typical “party” in any sense of the word. Tim finds himself out of his element yet tries to fit in. He calls his friends and they’re on their way to his rescue!
In one scene that was hilarious, Ziggy is making his way around the house to see if he can find Tim and in asking the girls sitting out back if they had seen him their response was “Fuck you Cop!” Ziggy delivers the classic line of “Watch it, Joan Jett! I’m not afraid to Fuck You Up!” The movie takes an unexpected turn here which could leave a bad taste in some people’s mouths, but being from an area similar to Cedar Rapids, it was actually honest in its portrayal as well.
Cedar Rapids has a heart and tells a great story using humorous one liners from the entire cast, especially Reilly, to really tie this movie together. Some may shy away from the style of humor used in the movie, but it is independent and a fresh take on something that never has really been tackled before. If you have the opportunity to see it in your area I say GO SEE IT! Unfortunately there is such a limited release of the movie most may be shit out of luck until it’s released on DVD. If you’re in the mood for somewhat raunchy comedy with heart, Cedar Rapids will fill the need!
