Actor Ed Helms plays Tim Lippe in the film, a sheltered insurance agent who is about to leave the haven of Brown Valley, Wis., for the wilds of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the region’s annual insurance convention, with no clue of the mayhem that’s in store. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)
Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. plays straight-arrow Ronald Wilkes, the first black man whom Ed Helms’ character has ever encountered in the flesh. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)
Actress Sigourney Weaver plays Macy Vanderhei, Ed Helms’ character’s former 7th-grade teacher and much older lover. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)
Actress Anne Heche plays a leading role in the film. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)
Actress Alia Shawkat plays working girl Bree, who is working the convention round and befriends Tim Lippe as they muddle through a series of unfolding disasters. (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)
From left are director Miguel Arteta, actress Anne Heche, actress Alia Shawkat, Fox Searchlight COO Nancy Utley and actor Ed Helms. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)
Director Miguel Arteta, left, and Ed Helms, who also stars in “The Office.” (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)
Director Miguel Arteta also directed the series “Six Feet Under.” (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)
Cast members, from left, Sigourney Weaver, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Anne Heche, Alia Shawkat and Ed Helms. (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)
“Mad Men” star Jon Hamm attends the screening. (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)
Food critic and chef Katie Lee Joel attends the screening. (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)
Actress Jill Hennessy of “Law & Order” and “Crossing Jordan” attends the screening. (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)
