Cedar Rapids

(2011)

Directed by

Miguel Arteta

Review by Todd Plucknett

Posted - 2/24/11

Cedar Rapids is one of those unfortunate cases in the industry where a film is so good and so appealing, yet it does not get the theatrical run that it deserves. Miguel Arteta, whose weaker 2009 film Youth in Revolt had the opposite fate, directs this hilarious, completely realistic comedy. I really do not understand why Fox Searchlight had to pick it up. The cast, genre, and appeal are totally the makeup of a perfect mainstream comedy. But instead, we get an ultra-limited release, which is never good for a film like this. It will likely never capture the wide audience that it should.

The film centers on Tim Lippe (Ed Helms), a straight-laced insurance salesman. He lives in Brown Valley, Wisconsin, and he is an incredibly odd character. He loves his job, even making it seem as if he is a hero for selling insurance. He is pre-engaged (sort of) to his old 7^th grade teacher Macy (Sigourney Weaver). Following the strange and deviant death of their rock star insurance salesman Roger Lemke (the suddenly everywhere Thomas Lennon), Tim is thrown into a career-making opportunity: representing his agency at a big insurance convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While there, he is given the task of saving his company, but he is constantly sidetracked by fellow insurance agents Joan (Anne Heche), Dean (John C. Reilly), and Ronald (Isiah Whitlock Jr.). They show him a lifestyle that he has never experienced before, almost seeming as wide-eyed as a little kid going Vegas or something. It has the makings of a classic comedy romp with heart, and it definitely succeeds in making this premise as comical and intelligent as possible.

The movie is written by Phil Johnston, which is his first movie. Miguel Arteta has directed a handful of movies, including Mike White screenplays The Good Girl and Chuck & Buck, along with television series ranging from Six Feet Under to Ugly Betty. The most telling determinant as to the kind of movie to expect is the fact that it is produced by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. It has a Sideways type of charm and atmosphere. It is an intelligent, perceptive comedy, placing entertaining characters in completely real life situations. It could have been an Alexander Payne movie, but to me, the more accurate comparison would be Mike Judge. It is ruled by its supporting characters, yet the lead is so dry and slightly exaggerated that his predicaments are absolutely hilarious. In addition, like Office Space and Extract, the film is about businessmen, and it really does well in portraying the reality of those jobs and out-of-town conventions. It basically drops the audience into the lives of these characters, and even though they may seem outrageous at times, the audience totally buys into them.

The acting in the movie is interesting. Ed Helms is hilarious in everything. He is able to make this dry, restrained character incredibly appealing. He deserves a Golden Globe nomination next year. John C. Reilly steals the show as the crazy drunk salesman showing Tim the ropes. Isiah Whitlock Jr. is hysterical in a couple scenes as Tim’s no-nonsense roommate. Anne Heche really slides into her seductive character nicely. Stephen Root, Rob Corddry, Kurtwood Smith, Sigourney Weaver, and the underrated Alia Shawkat make up the rest of the brilliant supporting cast. It is one of those ensemble casts that is really given the opportunity to shine with terrific material, and they certainly make the most of it.

Hopefully this film will expand in the coming weeks. It is a lot like last year’s Cyrus, which seemed to be completely mainstream, but only went to a few theaters. It expanded slightly in within the next month, but it never got exposed to the audience that it should have. This movie is even more frustrating, though. Everything that Zach Galifianakis has touched since The Hangover has gotten its release, but why not the best actor in that movie? They should be able to capitalize on that film as much as possible. This movie with this character played by this actor should be one of those classic summer comedies that make $100 million or more. It is a role that seems tailor-made for Ben Stiller, but if that had been the case, it would have been slightly different and less believable. However, it would have been playing everywhere most likely in mid July sometime. It’s strange how the industry works.

Anyway, that’s enough of that. This is a terrific comedy. It could make a case for my year-end top 20 or so depending on a second viewing and how the rest of this year shapes up. John C. Reilly will not leave my supporting actor lineup for a while. It was one of the more enjoyable films that I have seen at the theater in a few months, and everyone should try to find a showing somewhere. It’s worth it.

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