Review of film: “CEDAR RAPIDS”

2011, 02-08:

Review of film:  “CEDAR RAPIDS”

            Will attending a Convention lead to “CONVENTIONAL” Results?!...

Insurance agents are generally NOT particularly looked-upon with great “favor” by very many people (& for good reason).  This movie attempts to put the lives of some such agents in a different, quasi-“QUIRKY” perspective…

…  Tim Lippe (ED HELMS from “THE OFFICE” on TV) is an easy-going 34-year-old agent living & working in Brown Valley, WI.  He’s not especially “cutting-edge” when it comes to life experiences, but, he LOVES his simple existence there, in part because he’s shacking-up & “pre-engaged” with his ex-7th-grade teacher, Macy (or Millie) Vanderhei (SIGOURNEY WEAVER)…

…  His agency is proud to have won “Silver Diamond” awards from an insurance group promoting “Christian” ideals.  But, things become very disturbed when the head of the agency is shown to have behaved in a “shocking” manner…  Because of that situation, innocent Ed is sent to represent the agency at the NEW convention the group is holding in Cedar Rapids, IA…

…  Ed is impressed with the “modern” & “fancy” trappings he encounters at the hotel where the Convention is to be held.  He meets “friendly” girl Bree (ALIA SHAWKAT) outside the hotel, & doesn’t realize what her “profession” is in the world of “greeting” strangers…  She affectionately calls him “Butterscotch” (for reasons that will become obvious)…

…  He rooms with a Black American agent named Ronald Wilkes (ISIAH WHITLOCK, JR. – from “THE WIRE” on TV), who’s outgoing & a “veteran” in attending such Conventions.  To his shock & upset, Ed is also given another roomie named Dean Ziegler (JOHN C. REILLY)--  who his agency owner has “warned” him is a “POACHER” of clients who should be “avoided” at all costs…

…  John is an outgoing, unrefined, coarse loudmouth, who constantly delights in spouting RAUNCHY comments.  Isiah is a little bothered by John, but he’s warmly greeted by another veteran Conventioneer, Joan Ostrowski-Fox (ANNE HECHE), a worldly, outgoing married woman who seems to “know” everyone & who ENJOYS John’s crudeness…

…  Ed is almost “overwhelmed” when meeting the President of the group holding the Convention, Orin Helgesson (KIRKWOOD SMITH from TV’s “THAT 70’s SHOW”)…  Not unexpectedly, “straight-arrow” sherry-swilling Ed is often “taken ABACK” at the antics of John & some of the others--  but, little-by-little, he keeps being “drawn-in” to more & more “shocking” activities…

…  WHO is really “behind” the reported “Petition” to RESCIND the “Silver Diamond” awards so important to Ed’s agency?...  Will Ed “give-in” to the “SEDUCTIVE” tendencies of Anne?...  Will John prove to be the UNTRUSTWORTHY person Ed was warned he is?... 

…  Will Ed “LOOSEN-UP” per the efforts of Alia & John & others?--  and, if so, will that lead to any risky “CONSEQUENCES”?...   Will Ed succeed at his attempt to win ANOTHER “Silver Diamond”, & what methods would he use to try to ACHIEVE that?...  What will “COME” of naïve Ed’s being led into more “worldly” exploits at the Convention?...

…  The cast does a FINE job at their roles, & that helps lead to a lot of FUNNY situations and enjoyment “beyond” the usual “scope” of such a “light” comedy…  We don’t often meet people of a lot of the “extremes” shown by the characters-- but, they’re “BELIEVABLE” in the context set up…

…  So, since the plot “WORKS” & it’s frivolous FUN,  I’m giving it 7.25 out of 10 stars…

[ Later, I intend to do a write-up on the IN-PERSON Q&A held after the movie with ED HELMS & Director MIGUEL ARTETA… ]

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