Run Fatboy Run Reviews

An average movie

Posted : 2 years, 6 months ago on 1 November 2010 05:04

I really like Simon Pegg and, as usual, he was pretty good in this movie. However, the story is pretty standard and it is hard to believe that someone would dropped Thandie Newton on the altar. But it is still an enjoyable flick and it is definitely worth a look.

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Run Fatboy Run review

Posted : 2 years, 9 months ago on 23 August 2010 07:18

I do like Simon Pegg and this film (really) is saved by his performance - without him complete boooo... with him good fun.

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A Run for your money!

Posted : 4 years, 7 months ago on 6 October 2008 07:40

''I did a stupid, stupid thing. But it was only because I thought spoiling your day was better than ruining your life. Does that make any sense? ''

Five years after jilting his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, out-of-shape Dennis decides to run a marathon to win her back.

Simon Pegg: Dennis Doyle

Director David Swhimmer emphasizes the fact that Run, Fat boy Run is a great British Comedy and proceeds to capitalize on all the factors that make a successful one. Granted it's got what counts in the laugh stakes, plot is a totally different spin for a change yet has that sparkle of main Hero, failing at the beginning. Said failure involving him leaving pregnant partner at the alter, then the movie progresses he has to redeem himself. Run, Fatboy, Run cleverly regurgitates a hit formula and hits a dazzling strike in the right direction.

Granted Run, Fatboy, Run isn't quite in the same league as Edgar Wright's Hot Fuzz & Shaun of the Dead but it's almost there. For a change Simon Pegg goes rogue working with a different blend of comedy writers, and he shows he still has what it takes.

''Go on then, run!''

''Isn't there some kind of like... special technique?''

''Well... yeah... you put one leg in front of the other over and over again really really fast.''

One of the great things about Run, Fatboy, Run is the comical performances and characters.
Thandie Newton as Elizabeth Olivia 'Libby' Odell shows a light and breezy woman, who seems to be picking some great English movies to be in, like RocknRolla recently. Her Elizabeth is sweet and motherly, kind and resolute, Thandie displays these qualities well.
Hank Azaria as Whit, the American new man in Elizabeth's life and a new rival for her affections, putting Dennis to the task of winning her back.
Dylan Moran as Gordon, reunites with Pegg after their collaboration performances on Shaun of the Dead. Their chemistry on screen as usual shines bright and theres even a comical fight scene between them accompanied by a Kaiser Chiefs song.
Harish Patel as Mr. Goshdashtidar is a priceless character too, who gives some funny lines and delivers laughs aplenty.
Even David Walliams pops up in the Bun Shop, giving some memories of Little Britain into the sketch.

''The only serious relationship I've been in ended in a broken collarbone and a dead meerkat.''

The soundtrack is absolutely addictive and the structuring of Run, Fatboy, Run's plot speeds along at a quick yet leisurely pace.
When we actually get to the Marathon Race we are having a ball of a time. The laughs keep coming in thick and thin, also supplying to an extent electric Drama and moderate acting. Run, Fatboy, Run succeeds in being a feel good comedic film thats not to be taken to seriously and just to be enjoyed, experienced and washed along with the flow.

''I can lose weight... but you'll always be an arsehole!''

In retrospective and in conclusion with such a colourful story line, Run, Fat Boy, relying on Pegg's reputation to pull in audiences and viewers. I suspect that many devotees may be occasional Comedy lovers who simply demand something light and relatively untaxing. Pegg has the natural ability to make a futile chase after stolen women's underwear funny. When he seems to be rubbing himself off against a shop mannequin it could be a pathetic or a blunt sketch in any other hands, but his wide-eyed bemusing expression and fast pacing move us from one joke to the next before we have time to analyse.
I love the British nature of this, the good guy and his basic life, it's not flashy or self indulged, or Hollywood-ised.
It's just a simple story with comedy stars doing silly things and making us laugh, a perfect equation that results in a positive result.

''Oh, yeah! Yes, I like it! Run, fatboy, run!''

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Plenty of fun!

Posted : 4 years, 9 months ago on 14 August 2008 09:37

"The only serious relationship I've been in ended in a broken collarbone and a dead meerkat."

Following the lucrative successes of both Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, actor Simon Pegg steps away from his usual suspects (Edgar Wright and Nick Frost) for something rather different. Pegg and director David Schwimmer (yes - Ross from Friends) previously worked together on Big Nothing. Apparently the wonderful camaraderie between the duo proved so strong that they reunited for Run Fatboy Run. In essence, the film is a British romantic comedy merged with rom-com that provides solid entertainment for a rainy afternoon.
The film is bright, entertaining and fun: not a masterpiece by any means, but it's unfairly pasted and tragically overlooked. It provides sufficient gags (granted they're not memorable), charming characters, an ideal cast and a heart driving the proceedings. Sure the film is clichéd and had the potential to be better, but it supplies enough chuckles to establish Simon Pegg as a leading man and demonstrates that David Schwimmer may have found his calling as a director.

The story of Run Fatboy Run concerns overweight slob Dennis Doyle (Pegg). In the opening scene it's his wedding day, and he's scheduled to marry beautiful pregnant fiancée Libby (Newton). Dennis, however, gets cold feet and leaves Libby at the altar. Five years on we find Dennis still alone and unhappy, working as a security guard at a women's lingerie shop. He still occasionally visits his son and still has feelings for Libby who has not yet forgiven him. Dennis soon discovers that Libby has moved on and is dating a sophisticated, charming American named Whit (Azaria). Of course, Dennis begins to grow jealous. Whit is in training for an upcoming marathon that he's running for a charity. In a desperate effort to win Libby back, Dennis decides to run the marathon as well. But Dennis is an unreliable quitter who has spent his life running away from everything, thus even his closest friends are sceptical about his chances. Dennis' best friend Gordon (Moran) provides him with motivation and driving force to finish the race and prove he's a changed man.

David Schwimmer was always destined to succeed behind the camera. During his Friends days he directed several episodes of the show. With Run Fatboy Run there is obvious potential shining through in Schwimmer's directing. Even with a limited budget, he perfectly captures realistic London locations and manages to maintain a pleasant atmosphere. On top of this, never is there a contrived moment to unearth.

The script was originally set in America, but Pegg conducted a massive rewrite to alter the location to England (because a British company agreed to fund it). However, Pegg's limited involvement with the laughs is painfully obvious. American humour unfortunately dominates the screen too often. Things like nudity, vulgar language, repulsive scenarios and even some racial stereotypes. Perhaps if Pegg got together with his traditional partners in crime, this could have been far better.

As an actor, though, Pegg steals the show. He trudges through the predictable events with spirit and charm. He also manages to make his actions and lines winningly human, and handles the romantic stuff believably.
Dylan Moran is a scene stealer. He pretty much plays his regular character ala Black Books, but that's the role everyone loves him for. I can never get enough of Moran's acting when this character takes flight. The chemistry between Pegg and Moran is something special...maybe Nick Frost could get worried.
Thandie Newton is decent in her role, and then there's Hank Azaria who never appears to fit in satisfactorily.

Overall, Run Fatboy Run is a likeable and refreshing modern comedy. It's riddled with clichés and is underwhelming in the laughs department, however it's pleasant company to keep when you have a few boring hours to spare.
In my opinion, the film is underrated and quite misjudged. It's not in the same league as Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz which is unfortunate, but it was never meant to. It's straightforward predictable comedy; nevertheless if you throw Dylan Moran and Simon Pegg into a scene you have an extremely fun time on your hands.

7.2/10

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