Worth watching

Rating: 7/10 (16 July 2010)

Run, Fatboy, Run is David Schwimmer's (yes the guy from Friends) first and only film that wasn't made for TV. It centers around Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg), a mall security guard who, "isn't fat, just unfit." The movie begins at Dennis' wedding where he is having a nervous breakdown. Dripping in anxious sweat, Dennis jumps out of the window and bolts off, leaving his pregnant fiancé, Libby, (Thandie Newton) at the altar. Jump five years into the future and Dennis is now an out of shape mall cop living in a flat run by a rude Indian man (Harish Patel). All the while he is regretting the decision he made five years ago to leave his fiancé, who now has a well-to-do new boyfriend named Whit (Hank Azaria). Whit is seemingly the perfect man who has everything he could ever want. Dennis is immediately jealous and wants to prove to Libby that he can also be the great man Whit has established himself as. He decides that the best way to do this would be to run a 26 kilometer marathon that Whit is also running. He has to prove to Libby that he can follow through with a promise and finish something he started.
All in all the film is your typical underdog story of a man who isn't perfect but can pull through to overcome his personal issues and earn what he wants. The story is very predictable and often times cheesy, yet it has a warm heart and an overall entertaining story. It is led by great actors that can make the story believable and enjoyable, despite the predictability. The movie is a simple minded comedy that has its fair share of laughs and thankfully doesn't bank on the over-the-top ridiculous humor. It does have a lot of physical humor which isn't my personal taste when it comes to comedy but it doesn't hurt the film itself. There is one very cringe worthy scene and if you watch it I'm sure you'll know exactly which scene I'm talking about.
What really holds this film together is the characters. Each main character brings something funny and new to the table. Simon Pegg is the straight man who just wants to do something right for once in his life. His best friend Gordon (Dylan Moran) is the eccentric and ridiculous buddy who always has the best intentions just never quite knows how to follow through with them, often getting himself into trouble. Then there is Hank Azaria who plays the role of pretentious and egotistical businessman/boyfriend very well.
Run, Fatboy, Run is a fun film that's worth the watch if you like a good laugh and an easy to follow story that will at least make you smile. I always enjoy watching Simon Pegg act and while this movie doesn't even compare to the likes of Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz it is still a decent film.