Run Fatboy Run

There's a lot to take in here. Friends star David Schwimmer makes his directorial debut after a series of just faltering, unsuccessful movies, where he came off as awkward, and Simon Pegg teams up with the always loveable Michael Ian Black to write the script, instead of his usual partner, Edward Wright.

Run Fatboy Run follows Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) who gets cold feet and leaves his pregnant fiancee, Libby (Thandie Newton), at the altar. Five years later, Whit (Hank Azaria), an extremely fit and successful banker, is moving in on Libby. In an attempt to win her back, an out of shape potbelly Dennis decides to run a marathon.

I was surprised to find how funny this movie actually is. People were laughing at this like it was the next Superbad. As a film put together, I think it was well done, as maybe Schwimmer has found his niche, which is in the director's chair behind the camera rather than being the dull Ross template in front of it.

Simon Pegg is loveable and retains his funny antics as he is on a quest to get in shape and win back Libby. His training is outrageous as he runs down the street, cramps up and calls it a day. It was an original British romantic comedy where the humor was spot on. The laughs came roaring out sometimes in the most unexpected places. Not to spoil the end, but I like how they added a touch of "realism," not to make this the typical romantic comedy with a fairy tale ending. Yes, it may be a little formulaic and predictable for all the pretentious people out there (it's a romantic comedy).

Pegg led this stunningly fantastic cast through a marathon of laughs. The side characters were fleshed out and believable with their quirky tendencies. The tactics didn't seem forced as it all came through as light hearted. It didn't sink to the depths of raunchy crude humor as it was genuinely funny on its own terms. Run Fatboy Run was an unexpected funny experience that tickles your funny bone from the opening credits to the close.