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.
Movie Reviews - Week of 7/6/09
KYW movie critic Bill Wine gives his thoughts on the movies "I Love You, Beth Cooper", "Bruno" and "The Hurt Locker". (3:02)
Yada Yada Movies - Weekend of 7/3/09
KYW's Steve Nikazy and KYW movie critic Bill Wine take a look at the family film sequel "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs," the crime drama "Public Enemies," and the sci-fi film, "Moon." (14:03)
Movie Reviews - Week of 6/29/09
KYW movie critic Bill Wine gives his thoughts on the movies "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs," "Public Enemies," and "Moon." (3:05)
Yada Yada Movies - Weekend of 6/26/09
KYW's Steve Nikazy and KYW movie critic Bill Wine look at the action sequel "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," the drama "My Sister's Keeper" and the comedy "Whatever Works." (20:37)
Movie Reviews - Week of 6/22/09
KYW movie critic Bill Wine gives his thoughts on the movies "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", "My Sister's Keeper" and "Whatever Works". (3:04)
Movie Reviews - Week of 6/15/09
KYW movie critic Bill Wine gives his thoughts on the movies "Away We Go," "The Proposal," and "Year One." (3:01)
Yada Yada Movies - Weekend of 6/19/09
This week KYW's Steve Nikazy and KYW movie critic Bill Wine take a look at the comedy-drama "Away We Go," the romantic-comedy, "The Proposal," and the comedy "Year One." (19:28)
ADVERTISEMENT
Sponsored Links:
KYW-AM 1060 Newsradio is the Philadelphia market leader with more listeners
than any other radio station in the Delaware Valley and is an integral part
of community and daily life in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Listen to KYW streaming online for up to the minute Philadelphia news,
Philadelphia traffic, Philadelphia weather and Philadelphia sports.
Subscribe to KYW podcasts for Philadelphia news on demand and listen to
selected live Philadelphia news events and news conferences. www.kyw1060.com
E-Mail Story
Print Story
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.
