Review of Cedar Rapids (2011) by Denise O — 17 Jan 2012

Ed Helms (The Office, The Hangover) plays Tim Lippe in Miguel Arteta's (The Good Girl, Youth in Revolt) portrait of an sweet and innocent insurance agent from a small town who gets sent to the bustling metropolis of Cedar Rapids to represent his insurance company in their quest to be fourth time winners of the coveted AMSI Two Diamond Award. During this long weekend he meets several interesting people along with way, including a young prostitute (Alia Shawkat) whose intentions are vastly misconstrued, an unexpected roommate who is more naive than Tim (is, the other roommate, a man he is warned to avoid at all costs, and a "what happens in Cedar Rapids, stays in Cedar Rapids) insurance saleswoman who looks forward to these annual trips to escape her mundane world at home.

Along the way our little Tim learns how to let go and have a great time while dealing with the pressures of retaining the precious title his now-deceased predecessor had managed to keep for so long.

This movie was funny, and cute, and sweet and sad, and gosh-darnit just a good time for all. I was really happy that actors who are so-deserving of bigger roles were actually cast in this movie including, Stephen Root (Newsradio), Kurtwood Smith (that 70s Show) and Mike O'Mally (Glee). It was just a good team effort that required no showboating.