"Cedar Rapids," the quirky comedy starring Ed Helms and John C. Reilly, is the next film in the Cinema Series at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. It will be screened on Saturday at 8 p.m. and May 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Helms stars as sheltered, naive insurance agent Tim Lippe. He's never left his small hometown in Wisconsin. He's never stayed at a hotel. And he's certainly never experienced anything like Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he is sent to represent his company at an annual insurance convention.
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. Fortunately, he is soon smitten by three convention veterans (Reilly, Anne Heche and Isiah Whitlock), who promise to "show him the ropes." For a guy who plays everything by the book, this convention proves to be anything but conventional.
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James Berardinelli, in ReelViews, calls the film "a quirky comedy that crossbreeds two common cinematic staples: the mismatched buddy movie and the fish-out-of-water scenario." Claudia Puig, in USA Today, calls it "a Frank Capra-meets-Judd Apatow comedy with a sweetness-laced ribaldry." Joe Morgenstern, in the Wall Street Journal, says "it makes you laugh often and out loud." Peter Travers, in Rolling Stone, says "'Cedar Rapids' is both hilarious and heartfelt. It's also powered by a dream cast, led by the outstanding Ed Helms." Rated R for crude and sexual content, language and drug use, "Cedar Rapids" runs 87 minutes.
Tickets to the Opera House Cinema Series are available at the door for $7 (adults), $6.50 (seniors & Opera House members) and $5 (students & children) the night of each screening. For more information, call the Opera House Box Office at 716-679-1891. The Opera House Cinema Series continues with "Win Win" on May 21 & 24; and "Bach & Friends" on June 4.
Chautauqua County's only year-round performing arts center, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.
