Movie Review: Run, Fat Boy, Run

Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) makes a life decision that loses him the love of his life, making him a part-time dad in the process. Dennis hopes to get back together with Libby (Thandie Newton). Whit (Hank Azaria) is Libby’s new squeeze, a perfect physical specimen of a man every normal guy would fear, and the guy Dennis must compete with to win back Libby’s affections. Dennis decides to go on a massive self improvement course in order to show Libby he really can change.

Although the story is not unfamiliar, (guy loses girl, guy tries to win girl back) there are enough quirks and funny lines to give you a reason to enjoy Run, Fat Boy, Run. One of the main reasons is the eminently talented Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), and the comic chemistry between Pegg and the ever excellent Thandie Newton. Hank Azaria is perfect as Whit, the guy you want to hate, and Dylan Moran, who plays Dennis’ best friend Gordon, is very, very funny. David Schwimmer does a fine job with direction, the script is funny with just a few predictable moments, and the cast is uniformly excellent.

While not an earth shattering romantic comedy this is a movie that is full of great actors, is great fun and will entertain you; rent it, sit back and enjoy.

2008. Directed by David Schwimmer. Starring Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria, Dylan Moran, Harish Patel, India de Beaufort, and Matthew Fenton.

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