Cedar Rapids (2011)

To be honest, you couldn't imagine a less interesting subject than a film set in insurance. a film about an insurance agent at a insurance convention is pretty low on the list of exciting things to watch. But that's part of the charm of Cedar Rapids.

Insurance man Tim Lippe (Ed Helms) is ordered by his boss to head to the town of Cedar Rapids, where a crucial award is up for grabs. But his good intentions start to slip away once he meets a trio of veteran salesmen, who lure him into a world of booze, sex and cream sherry.

To start with actor Isiah Whitlock Jnr has the best moment in the film when he turns to his colleagues, smiles and delivers a spot-on impersonation of Omar from HBO series the Wire. It's so brilliant because Whitlock is famous for playing Senator Clay Davis in, yes, the Wire. That's the kind of silly gag that continues throughout the film and make this low-budget film a worthwhile watch.

Cedar Rapids is one of those summer-indie films that come out of nowhere in the same way that Sideways and Little Miss Sunshine came about. The only downside is Cedar Rapids isn't as good. The problem is not that Cedar Rapids is unfunny; its that it's not funny enough. The humour is occasionally raunchy but not all the jokes are as memorable as you first thought. The film is still very likable, with a decent story and tone and you get a sense that the actors were allowed to just get on with it and come up with there own jokes.

Most of the characters in Cedar Rapids are straight laced, shirt and tie kind of folks. I say most, because John C. Reilly is a live wire and absolutely nails it as Dan Zeigler. His hair is slicked down and he seems to be on a constant buzz. Reilly has the funniest moments in the film but also makes the character likable. Anne Heche and Sigourney Weaver also give funny performances and it's good to see all the characters bouncing off each in other in general. Ed Helms also proves that he is more then just 'that' guy for the Hangover and The Office USA.

So While Cedar Rapids isn't the funniest film you'll see this year, it's a sweet enough comedy that will keep you entertained and put a smile on your face.