NMR: Cedar Rapids

While more people probably saw Ed Helms in The Hangover Part II, his far better effort was in this small comedy. Helms stars as Tim Lippe, a sheltered insurance agent who has to travel outside of his hometown for the first time for a conference when his company's typical representative suddenly passes away. The film offers a few 'fish out of water' jokes, but it's primarily about the relationship he forms with a trio of other agents played nicely by John C. Reilly, Anne Heche and and Isiah Whitlock. As a bonus, the film also sprinkles in cameos from a number of talented and funny supporting actors like Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Root, Rob Corddry, Thomas Lennon, Mike O'Malley, and Kurtwood Smith. Helms' attempts to loosen up and shed his insecurities produce mostly funny content. However, I felt they made his character sink a bit too far into depravity in the middle, which hurt the film a bit. Still, this is a short, simple, enjoyable film about what happens when we venture beyond our safe bubble. Similar to the guys in The Hangover visiting Vegas or any teen comedy featuring characters heading off to college, being able to cut loose can be a lot of fun until things get out of hand. And it's your ability to return back to that bubble a better person rather than a destroyed one is what's most important. Rating: *** 1/2