Cedar Rapids

Tim Lippe is a shy, well meaning insurance salesman from a small Midwestern town who travels to a big city convention to defend his company’s workforce from layoffs. He expects a routine two-day trip, but the event proves a minefield of social missteps, unfamiliar slang, and tricky office politics. Arriving with limited experience and a studied innocence, Tim finds himself navigating a room full of sharp dressed rivals and quirky colleagues who push him far outside his comfort zone. A seasoned coworker named Dean Ziegler becomes his reluctant guide, and the local atmosphere swirls with improvisation, awkward bets, and unexpected acts of generosity. The result is a warm, offbeat comedy about growing up on the job.

Directed by Miguel Arteta, Cedar Rapids was written for the screen by Phil Johnston. The film teams Ed Helms with a strong ensemble including John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, and Stephen Root, delivering a gently pitched indie comedy released in 2011 with a grounded visual style and crisp comic timing.

There were no major nominations for Cedar Rapids. It earned praise from critics for its warmth and performances, particularly Helms and Reilly, but it did not break into top awards conversations. The film remains a modest example of festival friendly indie humor.

While it did not ignite a broad cultural moment, Cedar Rapids has found a small devoted audience among fans of offbeat comedies and workplace satires. Its humor rests on contrasts between Midwestern restraint and urban bravado, a dynamic that resonates with viewers who enjoy character driven setups.

Critics generally welcomed the performances and the film's warm tone, while noting occasional pacing lulls. It looks at themes of integrity versus ambition, camaraderie across age gaps, and how honesty can soften even awkward corporate rituals, delivering a modest but meaningful portrait of professional life.