Review of Cedar Rapids (2011) by Aidan H — 06 Aug 2011

Another one of those gentle comedies ('gentle' being Hollywood shorthand for 'no jokes') concerning an innocent abroad in which child-like insurance salesman Tim discovers the realities of life while maintaining his goofy naivety.

Ed Helms channels Forrest Gump, Chauncey Gardner and just about every other near-retarded movie character in a fluctuating display which nauseates and entertains in equal measure. The script is equally intermittent in quality and it is only the charm of its four main characters (especially John C.

Reilly as the boorish buffoon) that rescues it from being locked in the chuckle-free room for its entire length. Mild, light or whatever, CR is worth a watch but don't expect anything on the same level as 40 Year-Old Virgin, with which it shares similarities but not comedy high spots.