Here’s my review of “Cedar Rapids,” with clips from the film, from KTKA-49.
The new comedy “Cedar Rapids” does an admirable job of straddling the line between vulgarity and sweetness—often times in the same moment. Ed Helms stars as a wide-eyed insurance agent from Wisconsin who graduates to the big leagues when he attends a national conference in an Iowa hotel.
His small-town values are challenged when he confronts drinking, partying, adultery, prostitution and hypocrisy head on. The conference is like an adult summer camp—it’s the one time of the year that these insurance folks let down their hair.
The thing is, it’s impossible not to like them. His roommates are John C. Reilly and Isiah Whitlock Jr., who go by the nicknames Deanzie and The Ronimal. Along with Anne Heche (nickname O. Fox), who gives a wonderful and sympathetic performance, Helms—who acquires the nickname Timbo—learns there are worse things in life than making friends who will stand by you.
“Cedar Rapids” is a small, endlessly charming comedy. It’s not laugh-a-minute, but the characters will leave you smiling long after you’ve left the theater.
Eric is the Editor-in-Chief of Scene-Stealers.com and writes the Screen Stealers column for The Pitch. He’s President of the KCFCC, and drummer for The Dead Girls and Ultimate Fakebook. He is also Air Guitar World Champion Mean Melin. Eric goes to 11. Follow him at:
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This was a knee slapper for me. Loved it.