FILM: CEDAR RAPIDS – SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL SERIES
Review By Duncan McLeod
Director: Miguel Arteta
Cast: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Sigourney Weaver, Anne Heche, Stephen Root, Kurtwood Smith, Alia Shawkat, Mike O’Malley, Rob Corddry, Seth Morris, Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Synopsis: To call insurance agent Tim Lippe (Ed Helms), “naive” is a gross understatement. He’s never left his small hometown. He’s never stayed at a hotel. And he’s never experienced anything like Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sent to represent his company at the annual insurance convention, Tim is soon distracted by three convention veterans (John C. Reilly, Anne Heche and Isiah Whitlock Jr.) who will show him the ropes and push his boundaries. For a guy who plays everything by the book, this convention will be anything but conventional.
Review:
“I really though you’d go places, and then you just didn’t” - Bill Krogstad (Stephen Root)
Ed Helms is famous for the American version of THE OFFICE and his performance as Stu in THE HANGOVER movies. CEDAR RAPIDS is proof that he can carry a film. His awkward charm is not unlike that of the character of MR BEAN made famous by Rowan Atkinson. His character Tim Lippe has a strict moral compass and devotion to his lover, whom he wishes to marry.
There are similarities between Tim and Stu, and also nods to his character in the first HANGOVER instalment that if made any more obvious would have ruined the character but as they stand are quite complementary. The chemistry between Tim and Joan is well oiled and frustratingly good to watch. Joan is one of those people who prescribe to the “what happens in (insert destination), stays in…” philosophy so she is looking to use this time away as a release.
That brings us to the setting; an insurance convention. Sounds as boring as a law convention or accountants’ Christmas party doesn’t it? It probably would be under normal circumstances though scribe Phil Johnston in this, his first feature screenplay, has delivered an entertaining script. There are some cracking one-liners and nice banter between characters that allows this cast of typically ‘bit part’ actors where you refer to them here as “oh that guy from that movie” to be seen and enjoyed perhaps differently to usual.
For this reviewer Stephen Root as Tim’s boss and Kurtwood Smith as the president of the Insurance Association staging the convention were the most enjoyable in the lesser roles. They have both appeared in countless guises in film and on TV and their comic timing and characterisation were as spot on. Hopefully these actors are given greater opportunities in the future as both of them seem as though they could carry larger roles.
Isiah Witlock Jr is great as a third wheel. He has appeared in a much loved HBO series and is a worthwhile casting choice here. He has a fantastic, rich voice and his character’s wholesome approach to life is in great sync with Tim’s.
John C. Reily is really just his usual self in this. Primate is not a great fan of his work. Save for STEP BROTHERS and CYRUS he really has not done enough to endear himself to this reviewer. His character is overbearing though that’s the point here of course. The counter-balance between Reily’s character Dean and Tim is OK and of course as the character arcs develop Dean becomes more endearing but somehow Reily just misses the mark here for the Primate.
This is a great buddy comedy with both sass and bite. It isn’t for the HANGOVER crowd as our characters have adult issues and desires. For some good quality comedy you can’t go past this little indie gem. It deserves all four of its brown stars and can hold itself with dignity.
