Run, Fatboy, Run (2007)

For his pedigree as a big theatrical director, it's funny that David Schwimmer's one directorial debut is an innocent popcorn comedy. Then again he's best known for a sitcom role, but it would have been nice to see Schwimmer try to escape that reputation.Nonetheless, "Run Fatboy Run" is a pretty watchable popcorn comedy about an aimless man in arrested development (Simon Pegg) who runs a marathon as a hail mary pass to win back his ersatz ex-wife/baby mama (Thandie Newton) who he left at the altar on their wedding night out of fear. It sets up a rather obvious but serviceable character arc: The man's a loser because he's a commitment-phobe so finishing the race will represent his ability to commit. The film is set in London with a certain British whimsy in terms of many of the side characters including Harish Patel as a quirky yet sweet downstairs neighbor, Dylan Moran as the opportunistic best friend, and Nevan Finegan as a sexy no-nonsense landlady. The film can be firmly divided into two halves: Before Simon Pegg's character runs a marathon, and the marathon itself. In the first act, it's pretty typical with obvious foreshadowing and comedy that seems a little overly reliant on grotesque physical in a manner reminiscent of the "Three Stooges" (or what I'd imagine the Three Stooges to be): In one scene, Pegg's character gets a nail in his toe in an effort to pop a blister; in another, he and Moran's character get into a fight that's played for humor based on the pain they must be in).What really elevates the film is when he starts running the marathon and the subplots merge into more of a kinetic frenzy. The humor of bodily pain starts to segue into the tropes of a feel-good movie.This is one of the few wide-release running films and there's a lot of relatable stuff here in how annoying other runners can be, how some of the good running tips don't make sense until you're on the track, how will power will only take you so far without practice, and how running a long-distance race is often about the light at the end of the tunnel.

I think a test of whether a film is 'good' or 'bad' is to ask the question - would you be happy to watch again or several times?Run Fat Boy Run is a film I have happily watched several times over the years. It is a charming comedy where the good guy does, eventually, triumph through adversity. The old fashioned ending, where they do live happily ever after. Pegg jilted his girlfriend (Newton) at the alter because he was scared, thus ending the relationship. However, they do have a son. A few years later, he's working as a looser security guard, she is dating a rich American playboy. Pegg does start to get jealous. Particularly as the relationship looks to be serious and may mean she and will marry the American and go to live in the USA taking their son with her.Trying to outdo the playboy (who is a keen runner) Pegg talks himself into running the London marathon (against the American) The story is a light hearted comedy as Pegg tries to win back his family. The marathon becomes 'the wall' he must overcome to achieve this. 7.5/10

This is a paint by the numbers movie.1. Man loses/gives away girl 2. Man wants girl back. 3. Girl find new man..apparently perfect. 4. Man wants girl back. 5. Man makes effort to win her back. 6. Man wins her back 7. Perfect man...ah...not so much. 8. We all live happily ever after.Two things that bothered me. 1. Why is it that the "new man" is always found wanting. Would be really interesting if she dumped him even though he was a good man. This certainly would make the film more interesting. She then would have to make a real choice. As it is there is no choice.2. You can't train for a marathon in 3 weeks. It would have been more realistic if the transformation took place over an entire year...for next year's marathon. It certainly would be more believable and demonstrate more of a dedication that would justify the transformation. Maybe transform the character in other ways: career, habits and lifestyle. I know its a comedy but this would have provided more depth and resonance to the story.

Underdog stories usually tend to be a bit formulaic, but this movie mocks the whole underdog cliché by just going completely over the top. Everything about this movie is retardedly implausible, and that's pretty much where all its charm seems to come from. Well, not all its charm, because Simon Pegg definitely deserves some credit as well. He does the same schtick he already did in "Shaun Of The Dead" (even the love subplot is eerily similar), but there's nothing wrong with not changing a winning team. A good underdog movie always has you cheering for the anti-hero, and this one drags out its finale so long that the obligatory corny euphoric moment lasts for roughly twenty minutes. Just picture the decisive homerun from "Major League" or the winning touchdown from "Remember the Titans", this movie's entire third act feels like that. Not the definitive sports comedy, but undoubtebly one of the funniest.