Run Fat Boy Run

Review by Sean Lynch

England seems to be the safe haven for American film makers at the moment. A place where smaller, more heart felt films can be given the attention they deserve as opposed to being shown the back door in favour of Big Budget American comic book films.

Just looking at the track record shows why - Frank Oz & Death At A Funeral, the Weitz brothers & About A Boy, Woody Allen and... well, whatever movie he is making this week. And now, we can add one more to the list: David Schwimmer.

The former sitcom star has switched his '$1 Million An Episode' acting cap for that of the directors chair - and it seems it was the perfect move for the former TV paleontologist to make, because Run Fat Boy Run is a sure fire winner.

Five years ago Dennis (Simon Pegg) was at the alter about to marry Libby (Thandie Newton), his pregnant fiancée. But with moments to go - he gets colder feet than Tony Bullimore and runs for the hills. Years later, Dennis is down and out (... of shape) and soon discovers that Libby has found a new man in high-flying-go-getter Whit (Hank Azaria). In an effort to win her back and prove that he isn't the quitter everyone knows him to be - Dennis enters a marathon (the same one as 'The Perfect Man' Whit) and soon finds out that "breaking through the wall" takes more than sweat, blood and tears.

This is pretty much as good as a light heartened comedy can get. It's funny, it's got heart and there are at least two shots of a bare arsed Dylan Moran.

The cast is just superb. It's the best of the best of British comedy including the aforementioned arsey Moran, Little Britain's David Walliams, The Extras' Stephen Merchant and of course UK comedy's Golden Child - Simon Pegg (of Shaun of the Dead fame). Also in toe is the utterly gorgeous Thandie Newton (best know from M:I:3) who gives meaning to the word radiant, while Hank Azaria (the voice behind The Simpsons) delivers once again as the irresistible "Other Man" (who he has successfully played in EVERYTHING from Along Came Polly to American Sweethearts).

While it's certainly not breaking any new ground in comedy or film, Run Fat Boy Run hits every beat and is timed to perfection. The laughs deliver (keep an ear out for some absolute gems from the TV commentator at the end), the cast deliver (Pegg is such a likable 'Every Man' that his future is set in stone), the soundtrack delivers (tracks from the Kaiser Chiefs and Ok Go are used to perfection) and the director delivers (Schwimmer has perfectly captured the essence of British life & humour, yet still made a touching and accessible film for a world wide market).

Already a hit in the UK, you can't help but expect big things from Run Fatboy Run once it hits our shores (especially taking into consideration the astounding success of Death At A Funeral).

Consider this running race won!

4 out of 5

Run Fat Boy Run
Australian release: 6th March, 2008
Cast: Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria, Dylan Moran
Director: David Schwimmer
Website: Click here.