Sundance 2011: Ed Helms Takes The Lead In CEDAR RAPIDS

It's taken him a little while but I think it's safe to say that over the past several years Ed Helms has been on the road to becoming one of the consistently funniest men in America. The key to his success, I think, is that there's no bitterness or anger to his humor. Helms is just a guy, the sort of clumsy and awkward guy that everybody knows and kind of likes but will never get much of anywhere in life. He's sort of like the good bits of Adam Sandler without all the bits that make people want to punch Sandler in the face.

and now, after years of support work, Helms is finally getting to take the lead with Sundance selected comedy Cedar Rapids.

To call insurance agent Tim Lippe (Ed Helms), "naive" is a gross understatement. He's never left his small hometown. He's never stayed at a hotel. And he's never experienced anything like Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sent to represent his company at the annual insurance convention, Tim is soon distracted by three convention veterans (John C. Reilly, Anne Heche and Isiah Whitlock Jr.) who will show him the ropes and push his boundaries. For a guy who plays everything by the book, this convention will be anything but conventional.

Director Miguel Arteta had a critical hit that hardly anyone saw with his debut Chuck & Buck before making the generally ignored on all fronts Youth In Revolt. But if the trailer is any indication Arteta may be able to ride Helms up to the big time with this one because it looks fantastic. Check it below.