“There’s a separation between religion and insurance. It’s in the constitution!”
Time to celebrate the Salesmen and Saleswomen who keep America moving! This edition of “Cult Movie Monday” gives some terrific Actors a lot of room to run, in a comedy classic from 2011 that went fairly undiscovered upon release, only to gain a fanatical following on home video!
“Cedar Rapids!”
We all know how great a comic Actor Ed Helms is – look no further than “The Office” and “The Hangover”…actually, look right here for a neglected gem of a comedy. Helms stars as nebbish Insurance Agent Tim Lippe, who 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.
Check out the trailer:
Look at this great cast! Anne Heche, John C. Reilly and Isiah Whitlock Jr. star as the convention veterans who take Helms under their wing…and of course, Reilly steals the movie as the abrasive Dean Ziegler, who tosses off lines like this:
“Lemke may have been a class-A deviant, but what the fuck does that have to do with selling insurance?”
This film is a sweet, funny and profane look at the people who are always selling something – and of course, how they get out of control when unleashed on a convention:
I Love Sigourney Weaver!
Yes, I love Sigourney Weaver, and here’s why: Weaver has an extended cameo as Helms’ much older looking girlfriend, a fact not lost on Reilly, who sees a picture of the two of them and assumes it’s his Mom!
Tim Lippe: “She’s not my mom! Okay? She’s my girlfriend and we’re basically pre-engaged.”
Dean Ziegler: “Woah woah. My bad. Beautiful woman, in any case. Wait a minute, what’s “pre-engaged”? ‘Cause if i was “pre-engaged”, I would be pre-porking anything with a pulse!”
“Cedar Rapids” deserves a much bigger following – it is truly funny, well acted, has a sharp script and the entire cast is up for everything thrown at them…
And if you really want to talk about the life of a salesman…here are your ABC’s!
Always Be Closing!
Well, you must know about one of the greatest films of the 90’s the legendary “Glengarry Glen Ross!”
Written by David Mamet, based on his play, the film is a searing look at the desperate lives of four salesmen in a dreary Baltimore office. This cast is amazing: Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Alan Alda and Ed Harris, with office manager Kevin Spacey fighting with all of them…and then another salesman shows up with a “pep talk”…
Alec Baldwin gives one of the great monologues in film history – and it wasn’t even in the play! Read all about the “Always be closing” speech by clicking on my story here:
I can’t overstate how much I love “Cedar Rapids”, so it’s perfect choice for “cult movie Monday” – let me know if you’ve seen “Cedar Rapids!”
Categories: Books / Media, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Hollywood, Movies, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
As soon as I saw this post I had an eerie sense of familiarity, and realized that I did see this movie in 2011! I was in high school, and definitely rented it and watched it at home, probably by myself. Since I loved the office, I was drawn to Helms. I think I probably wasn’t crazy about some plot points of the film (though still liked it overall), but would most likely enjoy it more now, especially with lines like “pre-engaged girlfriend.” Thanks for the reminder!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It didn’t do very well when it was released, but it has great “re-watch” value for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It went ‘fairly undiscovered upon release’, and undiscovered by me until now! Strange as I don’t mind Helms so I don’t know how I’ve not seen this. Thanks for the heads up – it’s creeping its way on to my to-watch list 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I happened upon it a few years back and it’s surprisingly warm – and really funny – and Sigourney Weaver proves just how good at comedy she is in a small funny cameo!
LikeLike
I had never heard of Cedar Rapids, John. But it does look like fun, with such a great cast.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pete, if you come across it, give it a try – it’s really funny and the cast is terrific…a look at life in the US midwest for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person