Run Fat Boy Run

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

In theatres this Friday is a comedy worth waiting for. From writers Michael Ian Black and Simon Pegg of “Sean of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” is “Run Fat Boy Run”.

This film tells the story of Dennis (Simon Pegg) a young man going through a mass panic attack on his wedding day. His pregnant bride Libby (Thandie Newton) doesn’t see what’s coming and is left at the alter, or in this case the middle of the street.

Fast forward five years and Dennis is still in a slump both body and soul. He is a security guard living in a basement apartment with landlord Mr. Goshdashtidar (Harish Patel) constantly complaining about the rent. Libby has moved on and his son Jake (Matthew Fenton) has started bonding with Mom’s new boyfriend Whit (Hank Azaria).

Dennis discovers Whit is running in a marathon and decides this may be the only way to show Libby that his feelings for her haven’t changed. He is supported by his friend Gordon (Dylan Moran) who offers to train him. His Indian landlord decided to help Dennis finish something in his life by giving him spatula encouragement (you’ll see).

FINAL WORD: Pegg is sweet and comically funny as Dennis. It is that dare-to-be-embarassing type character and he embraces it fully. Azaria is good as the two-faced boyfriend Whit, which makes it easier for the audience to root for Dennis!

Patel is the surprise here. He creates laughs with his Indian accent and his dare-to-be-stereotypically-silly character. Moran as Gordon is a fantastic buddy character who doesn’t seem to care what anybody thinks of him. The training is where the laughs are many.

Fenton is sweet as Jake, pulling for his Dad but accepting him just the way he is. Newton as Libby is fine, but honestly this character isn’t much of a stretch.

This is David Schwimmers’ directorial debut and he seems to have captured the light hearted every day guy in the character of Dennis. This film definetly has a lot of British humor but still very funny to us here across the pond.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Run Fat Boy Run” 3½  tubs of popcorn. It is a winner for anyone who likes strange humor. It has a few “ewww” moments but followed with huge laughs. There is adult humor obviously, rampant smoking and a few buttocks here and there but nothing harsh.

Finally, a laid back comedy that isn’t trying to hard to be funny, it just is! Sit back and get ready to laugh as “Run Fat Boy Run” runs away with your heart.