Friday, March 28, 2008

Movie review: Run Fatboy Run

Now with online game capability!

By John P. Meyer

Run Fat Boy Run

Five years ago Dennis was at the altar about to marry Libby, his pregnant fiancée. He got cold feet and ran for the hills, and he's been going in circles ever since. When Dennis discovers Libby's hooked up with high-flying-go-getter Whit, he realizes it's now or never. He enters a marathon to show he's more than a quitter but then finds out just how much sweat, strain and tears it takes to run for 26 miles. Nobody gives him a chance, but Dennis knows this is his only hope to be more than a running joke.

Source: Cinema Source

• Showtimes and more on Run Fat Boy Run

Yes, Run Fatboy Run features the charming and very funny Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead; Hot Fuzz) and the achingly attractive Thandie Newton (The Chronicles of Riddick; Crash; and - in the interest of full disclosure - Norbit). It also marks the theatrical directing debut of David Schwimmer, who acquits himself serviceably behind the camera and demonstrates that he's capable of making more ambitious films if future opportunities present themselves.

That's the good news. On the other side of the entertainment coin, I've got to say that I was not nearly as engaged by the one-trick-pony plot line of the film (from a story by Michael Ian Black; translated to the screen by Mr. Black and Simon Pegg) as the rowdy patrons of the Studio Movie Grill sitting around me seemed to be. Maybe it's because they had nachos and beer as accompaniments, while I had only a notebook and pen.

Our protagonist, Mr. Pegg, plays a fellow named Dennis to whom many middle-aged males could relate. He's found a lovely young woman who loves him (and whom he loves), he's all set to marry her - and I mean all set, tuxedo, church, gown, guests, the works - and then right before the ceremony he gets cold feet. So cold, in fact, that he leaps from the window of the groom's dressing room and runs away down the street, pursued (briefly) by his astonished bride-to-be (Ms. Newton, as Libby) and her outraged retainers. To ice the cake, Libby's pregnant. Talk about leaving a loved one high and dry.

Libby (Thandie Newton) toasts a happy occasion - such as at some point getting married to a bloke who'll actually show up for the ceremony

This doesn't do much to endear us (and by us I mean "me") to Dennis' character, and so when we see him five years down the road paying a parental visit to his son, Jake (Matthew Fenton), we're amazed that Libby even deigns to converse with the cad, much less allow him his rights as a father. But as we soon discover, aside from his inability to commit, Dennis is an O.K. guy, and his son Jake (Matthew Fenton) genuinely loves his dad. The chums spend time in the park kicking around the soccer ball and playing childish pranks on passers-by.

Enter Whit (Hank Azaria), who's courting Libby using everything Dennis doesn't have: namely, money and class. Naturally, Whit is also made out to be an insufferable, self-absorbed bore who abides Jake only as a means of endearing himself to Libby.

It's only after observing Whit in the process of wooing Libby that Dennis gets serious about winning her back. (Which - again - doesn't do a lot to endear us to his character.) Since Whit is a long-distance runner and drops a brag about how he intends to run the London Marathon, Dennis knee-jerk reacts and declares his intention to enter the marathon himself. With only a couple of weeks to train for the event, one might assume that this couch potato of a ne'er-do-well has less than an ice cube's chance in Hell of competing, much less besting the athletic Whit.

Whit and Dennis square off on exercise bikes. Kind of like a pissing contest on (stationary) wheels

Assisting in Dennis' corner are his friend Gordon (Dylan Moran, who pops a mean foot blister), his landlord Mr. Ghoshdashtidar (Harish Patel, who puts Dennis on a wicked spatula-assisted training regimen) and Goshdashtidar's daughter, Maya (drop-dead gorgeous newcomer India de Beaufort, who serves as fine window dressing).

I see no point in revealing the outcome of events, though it's not like anyone could be surprised by them - this is one of those movies you choose to watch for the getting there, rather than for the obvious destination. And while it does have funny bits - and a good heart - you have to wonder how long it'll take peripatetic Dennis to trot off in another direction entirely.

Oh - one last thing - you can play the Fatboy Marathon video game online by going here - should you prefer couch potatohood to actual running.

Frankly, Simon, I preferred your zombie period.

SUBTLE DISTINCTION: "I'm not fat - I'm unfit!"

NOW YOU TELL ME: "It's only because I thought spoiling your day was better than ruining your life." - Dennis to Libby, re. running out on their wedding

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