Run, Fat Boy, Run

by KYW's Bill Wine

There's really only one thing that ultimately counts in a movie comedy, and that's whether or not it makes you laugh. On that level alone, Run, Fat Boy, Run succeeds as a witty, laugh-out-loud comedic sprint.

As romantic comedies go, it's modest in scope, and thus succeeds in winning us over in entertaining fashion by staying within its own comfort zone and delivering the chuckleworthy goods. And as the feature-film directorial debut of David Schwimmer (Ross Geller on TV's "Friends"), a promising first effort it most certainly is.

Simon Pegg, the star of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, also co-wrote the screenplay (with Michael Ian Black), which has been transplanted from New York City to London and might just as easily have been titled the less catchy but more apt Run, Scared Groom, Run.

Pegg (right) plays Dennis Doyle, the definitive lazy and lovable loser, still torn up about getting cold feet and leaving his pregnant fiancee Libby, played by Thandie Newton, at the altar five years ago.

Dennis now lives in a nondescript basement flat and works as a security guard in a lingerie shop, sharing parenting duties with Libby for their five-year-old son Jake (Matthew Festoon). She's now romantically involved with Whit, a wealthy and charming American financial executive played by Hank Azaria, who's the picture of health and fitness and sensitivity and success: in other words, he's a winner.

To demonstrate to the woman he obviously still loves that he has changed, and grown up, and regrets his mistake, and can actually follow through when he sets his mind to something (and, let's face it, with hopes of winning her back), Dennis the professional slacker enters the same grueling 26-mile charity marathon adjacent to the River Thames that Whit has entered. Dennis is not going to let the fact that he's both slightly overweight and spectacularly out of shape hold him back.

Schwimmer doesn't try to blaze any new comedy trails -- he seems satisfied simply to finish the directorial race rather than actually win it -- but his film is nonetheless polished and breezy. Oh, it's formulaic, all right. But it's also freshly observed, with smartly set up sight gags and inspired slapshtick performed by a crisply efficient and consistently amusing ensemble.

And he includes sprightly supporting turns from best buddy Dylan Moran and landlord Harish Patel -- very funny as the tandem of Dennis's offbeat, makeshift, demanding trainers.

There are, on the down side, three things to complain about. Pegg and Newton have precious little romantic chemistry; the film at times seems one suspiciously gigantic product placement for a company which shall remain nameless; and the comic edge gets a bit gooey in the final reels.

But none of those distractions is terribly bothersome, nor do they squelch or even dilute the laughs.

Pegg is an especially low-key, deadpan joy as a hangdog charmer. He would appear to be quite adept at writing for his particular persona, as he creates a surprisingly convincing character in a fairly broad farce without forcing the humor.

So we'll cross the finish line wearing 3 stars out of 4 for David Schwimmer's winning comedy. Run, Fat Boy, Run is fun-thin-joy-fun.

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KYW Movie Podcasts: Never Miss One!

Yada Yada Movies - Weekend of 11/06/09
This week KYW's Steve Nikazy and KYW movie critic Bill Wine look at the comedy-war film, "The Men Who Stare at Goats," the animated re-make, "A Christmas Carol," and the horror-mystery-thriller "The Fourth Kind." (18:45)

Movie Reviews - Week of 11/2/09
KYW movie critic Bill Wine gives his thoughts on the movies "The Men Who Stare at Goats", "A Christmas Carol" and "The Fourth Kind". (3:01)

Yada Yada Movies - Weekend of 10/30/09
KYW's Steve Nikazy and KYW movie critic Bill Wine take a look at the Chris Rock documentary, "Good Hair," Michael Jackson's "This is It," and the action-crime-drama "The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day." (17:43)

Movie Reviews - Week of 10/26/09
KYW movie critic Bill Wine gives his thoughts on the movies "Good Hair", "This Is It" and "Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day". (3:00)

Yada Yada Movies - Weekend of 10/23/09
KYW's Steve Nikazy and KYW movie critic Bill Wine take a look at the animated adventure "Astro Boy," the bio-drama"Amelia," and the action-adventure-comedy "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant." (17:20)

Movie Reviews - Week of 10/19/09
KYW movie critic Bill Wine gives his thoughts on the movies "Astro Boy", "Amelia" and "Cirque du Freak - The Vampires Assistant". (3:00)

Movie Reviews - Week of 10/12/09
KYW movie critic Bill Wine gives his thoughts on the movies 'New York, I Love You', 'Law Abiding Citizen' and 'Where the Wild Things Are'. (3:00)