Originally published in Verbicide issue #25

Entertainment Films
100 min., dir. by David Schwimmer, with Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, and Hank Azaria

Upon this film’s release, a lot of critics pulled no punches in giving this comedy a bad review. After my own viewing of Run Fatboy Run, I’m convinced these so-called “experts” were only expressing their disappointment when they realized this wasn’t another Simon Pegg parody of another genre. If you’re willing to accept less satire with the silliness, then I’m willing to bet you’ll enjoy this film.

First off, let it be known that Nick Frost is not in this movie, and I can’t deny that that’s kind of a bummer and even more surprising. (Especially when the title contains “Fatboy” — no offense to Mr. Frost.) Instead, Pegg takes on the overweight role of Dennis, a man who we see at the beginning of the film abandoning his pregnant wife at the altar. Five years later, Dennis now lives alone and works security at a woman’s clothing store. Although filled with regret and loneliness every day, Dennis hesitates to change his ways until he realizes his ex-fiancée Libby (Thandie Newton) is going to marry the condescending, super-achiever, Whit (Hank Azaria). Now, in order to prove he can be responsible to both the woman he still loves and his five-year-old son, Dennis decides to match Whit’s greatest challenge: run a marathon. Did I mention he only has two weeks to prepare?

It may sound like a shaky storyline, but all the right people in all the right roles enable this film to succeed. Starting at the ground floor, the story came from the very funny mind of Michael Ian Black. Whereas the constant laughs of the script come as no surprise from a veteran comedian, the story’s more touching moments show a hidden maturity within Mr. Black’s creativity. We’ve all come to know and love Black for his absurdity on “The State,” “Stella,” and cameos on “Reno 911,” but apparently he can go deeper than describing why the Rubix cube was funny in the 1980s. With help from Pegg (who co-wrote the screenplay), Black explores the ideas of bravery, father/son relationships, and questions when running is and isn’t the right thing to do.

The cast is nothing short of dynamite. Pegg has fun again playing a quintessential “loser” underdog, or at least what society would label as one. Honestly, there isn’t much difference in personality between Dennis and Pegg’s previous title character, Shaun, but Pegg does make you wonder if dealing with real life problems and adversity is a whole lot harder than fighting off zombie hordes. I’m sure Dennis would much rather wield a rugby stick against the undead than train for a 26-mile run.

Along for the ride is Dylan Moran, a Shaun Of The Dead alumnus in a much different role. Whereas before he was Shaun’s archenemy, David, he now plays Gordon, Dennis’s best friend and Libby’s cousin. Although he doesn’t completely fill the shoes of Nick Frost, Moran arguably has the funniest moments in the film as a result of his character’s gambling problems. And then, of course, there is Hank Azaria, who just can’t ever seem to miss whenever he takes on a part. Although he’s cast in a more toned-down role compared to a number of the wacky characters he’s played in the past, Azaria still continues to be the man of a million faces as the easily dislikable Whit.

Finally, in the director’s seat is the ex-star of TV’s “Friends,” David Schwimmer. Although the pairing of Black, Pegg, and Azaria all made sense to me considering their resumes of similar work, I personally would’ve never imagined Schwimmer taking on such a project. From what I gather, Schwimmer was commonly viewed as the least favorite “Friend,” but apparently the guy has quite the funny bone. I’m sure there will be many upset that Pegg wasn’t taking his direction from his usual collaborator, Edgar Wright, but I hope those can admit that Schwimmer did not fail in his responsibilities in any way. And considering this was his motion picture directorial debut, it’s that much more impressive.

So next time you’re at the video store trying to decide on a selection from the Simon Pegg library, go with this: if you’re looking for goofy gore, pick Shaun Of The Dead. If you’re after affable action, get your Hot Fuzz. But if you’re in the mood for solid, clean humor with a little more substance…then Run, Fatboy Run!