Cedar Rapids (2011)

Tim Lippe has no idea what he's in for when he's sent to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to represent his company at an annual insurance convention, where he soon finds himself under the "guidance" of three convention veterans.

Director:

Miguel Arteta

Writer:

Phil Johnston

Stars:

Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ed Helms	...	Tim Lippe
John C. Reilly	...	Dean Ziegler
Anne Heche	...	Joan Ostrowski-Fox
Isiah Whitlock Jr.	...	Ronald Wilkes
Stephen Root	...	Bill Krogstad
Kurtwood Smith	...	Orin Helgesson
Alia Shawkat	...	Bree
Thomas Lennon	...	Roger Lemke
Rob Corddry	...	Gary
Mike O'Malley	...	Mike Pyle
Sigourney Weaver	...	Macy Vanderhei
Inga R. Wilson	...	Gwen Lemke
Mike Birbiglia	...	Trent
Seth Morris	...	Uncle Ken
Christopher Lemon	...	Rock Climbing Dude #1

Storyline

Tim Lippe (Helms) was the guy people always thought would go places but then he just ... didn't. He's been living in über-sleepy Brown Valley, Wisconsin his whole life, still "pre-engaged" to his 7th grade teacher Macy Vanderhei (Weaver), while selling insurance to protect other people's dreams. But now, Tim's stalled life is about to get a kick-start because, for the first time in his 34 years, he's headed to a "major" metropolis - Cedar Rapids, Iowa - where he must try to save his company at a do-or-die insurance convention that, for him, will be entirely unconventional. From the minute he checks into his hotel with his ancient American Tourister and cummerbund money belt, it's clear Tim has no idea how the modern world really works. He is soon smitten with seductive Nebraskan insurance agent Joan Ostrowski-Fox (Heche) and awed by his experienced roommates, the straight-shooting Ronald Wilkes (Whitlock Jr.) and the suspicious Dean Zeigler (Reilly). Disheartened when he comes ...

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Plot Keywords:

convention | insurance | cedar rapids iowa | hotel | girl in panties | 

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Taglines:

Today Is The First Day... Of The Rest Of His Weekend.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for crude and sexual content, language and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Fox Searchlight [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alocada convención

Filming Locations:

Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$302,968, 13 February 2011, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$6,857,503, 22 May 2011

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ad Hominem Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The screenplay for this film was featured in the 2009 Blacklist; a list of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year.

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Goofs

After the awards ceremony, when Ed Helms is telling his boss that he has taken his clients from him, his mouth does not move in sync with the words he is speaking.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Tim Lippe: [voice-over] One of the reasons I love Brown Valley so much is that when you do business here, chances are good you know the person you're dealing with.

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Crazy Credits

During the closing credits, the main characters tell (dumb) jokes at the cottage, and a commercial for their new insurance company is shown.

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Connections

References America's Got Talent (2006)

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Soundtracks

Unless It's Kicks
Written by Will Sheff (as Will Robinson Sheff)
Performed by Okkervil River
Courtesy of Jagjaguwar
By Arrangement with Bank Robber Music

User Reviews

My insurance agent was never this funny.

I think Ed Helms just invented a new genre, the Midwestern. Ed Helms, Anne Heche, John C. Riley and Isiah Whitlock Jr. take you on one heck of a funny ride from the very beginning all the way through the end credits. Miguel Arteta did a terrific job directing the talented ensemble. Phil Johnston's hilarious screenplay humor was kept real without succumbing to worn out clichés. Ed Helms' character insurance agent Tim Lippe made you believe in his distinct sense of right and wrong. He transformed those around him by example not preaching. Every character added to the richness and heart of the movie. What could have easily become another sophomoric slapstick comedy turned out to be a wonderful story that just happened to be the funniest thing I've seen in a long time.