Cedar Rapids ****

A very funny take on the old small-town-boy-loses-his-innocence theme, "Cedar Rapids" follows the education of Tim Lippe (Ed Helms) as he travels to the big city of the title to represent his company at a convention. There he comes under the influence of three meeting veterans, wonderfully played by John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, and Isiah Whitlock Jr, who are attracted to Tim for his sincerity and unassuming good will. The business here is insurance, but it could be so many others, that writer Phil Johnston uses to score points about sales strategies, franchises, small business owners, loyal customers, industry awards, and mendacity from the top. It's a well-made and enjoyable picture of American business in the heartland. Everything may not be as Boy Scouts imagine it, but there is a core decency and fairness ultimately out there.

Rated R. 87 minutes. Miguel Arteta - Director, Phil Johnston, - Writer, Jim Burke - Producer, Alexander Payne - Producer, Jim Taylor - Producer, Chuy Chavez - Cinematographer, Christophe Beck - Composer, Doug J. Meerdink - Production Designer, Eric Kissack - Editor. Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Principal actors: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr, Sigourney Weaver.