I am slightly angry at the fact that Cedar Rapids was one of the funniest comedies of 2011 that went severely unseen by a lot of people. Sure, the Hangover 2 reigned supreme with it’s remake of the first film in the series, but for me, this was by far and away the best comedy around. With a cast of well known actors, both comedic and dramatic, Cedar Rapids ended up taking the dull setting and life of a Midwestern insurance sales conference and blended raunchy humor and sickly sweet storytelling. Also Isiah Whitlock, Jr. from The Wire is in this movie, sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit.
Tim Lippe (Ed Helms) sells insurance for a living. He’s passionate about his career, so when the top salesman at the company dies on the eve of a big industry convention in Cedar Rapids, IA, his boss, Bill (Stephen Root), decides that Tim should take the trip to represent their company, and possibly accept a major award. Trouble is, not only has Tim never been on an airplane before, but he’s in such a state of arrested development that he’s even started sleeping with his former elementary school teacher Mrs. Vanderhei (Sigourney Weaver). Arriving at the convention ready to put his best foot forward, Tim hits it off with his hotel roommate Ron (Isiah Whitlock Jr.), but is soon thrust out of his comfort zone when he learns they will be sharing a room with their amoral, hard-partying colleague Dean (John C. Reilly), whom Tim has been instructed to avoid at all costs. Later, when the three unlikely roommates meet up with fellow insurance slinger Joan (Anne Heche), the chemistry just clicks. However, when the ultra-conservative president of the entire organization (Kurtwood Smith) catches Tim in a compromising position, it all starts to fall apart. Now, if Tim can just shed his illusions and finally see the truth about the people he always looked up to, perhaps he can find the courage to recapture his integrity, and return home and face the future with a newfound sense of self-assurance. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Cedar Rapids is this weird, odd, coherent mix of endearing sweetness to the story of Tim Lippe and the crude, often raunchy humor that is the hallmark of R Rated comedies. The story is reminiscent of Frank Capra writing, one where redemption is found at the end of the film and something remarkable changes in the lead, but with way more queef and dick jokes. Ed Helms actually shows some acting chops, playing the naive insurance salesman who by the end of the film, grows into a confident man with the help of some of the best business friends that you can have.
The story itself isn’t treading new ground or even bringing something more to the development side. The ending is telegraphed, but fits nicely to how the film plays out. For me, the cast is one of the best comedic groups around. This is surprising to me considering that Anne Heche and Isiah Whitlock, Jr. are not overtly known for their comedic talents. Whitlock to me is more known for playing Clay Davis from The Wire, which he does lay down some Wire references to my giggling delight. Combined with John C. Reilly, there is no beating this cast. Reilly stole the show, basically melding together all of his previous comedy roles into one super dickish, crude, hilarious character. He plays the sort of guy that is always at business conferences, seeing them more as a weekend long party and sex fest. The guy that other veteran conference goers will warn you stay away from, but somehow are magnetically drawn to his power and aura. Whether busting muff and queef jokes, rare in my opinion, or actually delivering thoughtful advice wrapped around a penis metaphor, he is the heart of this film when it comes to comedy.
I want to spend so much more time with these characters. Whether the sweetly developed love story between Helms and Heche, the crude character that Reilly plays or listening to Whitlock, Jr. busting out some Clay Davis lines, I want more. You will be surprised at how thoughtful and endearing this film can be, even amongst the R rated dialogue that works so well in this movie. The films works well when it takes the usual, straight-laced character that Helms plays and pushing from just a bit closer to uncomfortable areas. He can compose, joke and act very well and it is surprising to see him be able to balance both sides of the character. Unlike his role in The Hangover, he actually develops a lot more gradually rather than the abrupt ball growing he does at the very of the Hangover series. Take all the pieces and put them together, you get a solid comedy film that has a bit more depth than the usual dick joke laden films we get.
*images via RottenTomatoes
