3 stars out of 4 -- "[A] sweet comedy with a dirty mind....CEDAR RAPIDS has something of the same spirit of FARGO in its approach to the earnest natures of its small-towners."
Chicago Sun-Times "This is a Frank Capra-meets-Judd Apatow comedy with a sweetness-laced ribaldry....REILLY is over-the-top hilarious, and Helms builds on the likability he exuded in THE HANGOVER..."
USA Today "There is something to be said for allowing yourself simple pleasures like the shtick-y sweetness of CEDAR RAPIDS....[Helms] has put a polish on the persona, layering an old-fashioned virtues and an irrepressible optimism that is hard to resist."
Los Angeles Times "The main thing about CEDAR RAPIDS is that it makes you laugh -- often and out loud..."
Wall Street Journal "Reilly has rarely been funnier as a braying, lovably vulgar life-of-the-party type, and Heche emerges from the Hollywood wilderness with a wry, immensely appealing performance." -- Grade: B
A.V. Club "[W]hile Mr. Arteta likes a dirty joke as much as the next comic director, because those laughs burble up from characters whose raucousness comes from an honest grappling with life's absurdities, the jokes sing as well as zing."
New York Times 3 stars out of 5 -- "Helms is warm and likable and makes for a great nerd hero with his aw-shucks personality and surprised facial expressions. Reilly delivers another one of his trademark 'nutty pal' performances that continue to win him fans."
Box Office 3 stars out of 4 -- "CEDAR RAPIDS is both hilarious and heartfelt. It's also powered by a dream cast, led by the outstanding Helms."
Rolling Stone "The film's overarching comedic goal is a prolonged sense of discomfort that, at its high points, will make you cringe and snicker in equal measure."
Film Comment 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]hanks to Helms it's never uncomfortable to watch....It's also worth staying for the end credits -- to see Reilly perform a party trick..."
Total Film "[With] uniformly entertaining performances....Arteta makes light and earthy work out of it."
Sight and Sound
