Film: Cedar Rapids
Cast includes: Ed Helms (The Hangover), John C. Reilly (Cyrus), Anne Heche (Wag the Dog), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (The Wire), Stephen Root (No Country for Old Men), Sigourney Weaver (Avatar)
Director: Miguel Arteta (The Good Girl)
Genre: Comedy (2011)
In brief: Tim Lippe believes insurance salesmen are heroes… they come through for people in need. He’s not the star salesman at Brownstar Insurance, but you’ve gotta love his sincerity. It’s Roger who’s the shining light. It’s Roger who’s won the Two Diamond Award for Brownstar for the past 3 years at the ASMI convention. And it’s Roger who will win the Two Diamond for an unprecedented forth year in a row. But shockingly, Roger commits suicide just days before the convention. Tim is surprised and humbled when Bill, the owner of Brownstar, chooses him to attend the Cedar Rapids convention. Armed with Bill’s list of dos and don’ts, Tim heads off on his first airplane flight ever.
One of the biggest don’ts on the list is having anything to do with Dean Ziegler. But Tim soon finds out that he and Ronald are sharing their hotel suite with Dean Ziegler. “The Deanzie could use a drinkzie” is how Dean introduces himself. Although the ASMI is dedicated to “community, country and God” (according to ASMI President Helgesson), Dean doesn’t buy into “that God and morality bullshit.” And it’s Helgesson that Tim will have to impress if he’s going to win the Two Diamonds this year. Helgesson hates Dean, and Tim can’t seem to avoid Dean. In fact, it’s a morality jungle in Cedar Rapids. But the most shocking thing of all is when Tim learns what it really takes to win the Two Diamonds.
The juxtaposition of raunchy, foul-mouthed humor with Tim’s sweet coming-of-age story is what makes Cedar Rapids an audience winner. There is absolutely no way Tim is going to leave Cedar Rapids as innocent as when he arrived. As Tim struggles to maintain the morality standard expected of him, he learns that morality is not so simple. With everything riding on winning the Two Diamonds Award, it turns out that true friends may be more important than anything else. “Welcome to the jungle, Timbo!”
3 popped kernels
A raunchy coming-of-age comedy with a heart of gold
Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (sexual content, language)
Primary Audience: Young adults
Gender Appeal: Any audience
Distribution: Mainstream limited release
Mood: Upbeat
Tempo: Zips right along
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: Rude & crude
Social Significance: Pure entertainment
