Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) seems to be making it his business to play the 30-something loser who snags the ultra hot, and of course terribly sweet, girl. In his most recent incarnation of the formulaic pint-guzzling, deadbeat boyfriend, Pegg plays Dennis, a man who literally runs away from his stunning and very pregnant fiancée Libby (Thandie Newton). Five years later, inspired by Libby's new, handsome and highly successful boyfriend, Whit, played convincingly by Hank Azaria (he voices just about all the minor characters on The Simpsons), Dennis decides to run in the upcoming marathon. though he's never run a marathon before. And this particular marathon is three weeks away. Did we mention he's completely out of shape and doesn't even own proper running gear?
What ensues is the typical "gotta get the girl" action of romantic comedies, with a decent amount of "guy humor" added in for good measure (squirting bunions and awkward locker room nudity are included). Two sidekicks - one overweight with a funny accent, the other uncouth and foul - round out the guys on Dennis' side of the ring. An adorable and precocious little boy rounds out the girls team.
Run Fatboy Run ends up in an uncomfortable limbo between movie genres. It's too gross to be a chick flick and too mushy to be a straight-up quotable guy movie. But, perhaps the weirdest part of the film is behind the scenes, as the movie marks David Schwimmer's directorial debut. Yes, that nerdy paleontologist-playing David Schwimmer.
That aside, RFR provides a few good laughs and even some fodder for the lovesick hopeful - even if a guy like Simon Pegg leaving Thandie Newton demands a little too much suspension of disbelief to not be considered fantasy.
