Dir: David Schwimmer UK . 2007. 101mins
S
imon Pegg is fast becoming Britain 's king of comedy. He seems to have found the secret of reaching levels of box-office success denied to fellow British television graduates like Mitchell and Webb (Magicians (2007)) and Ant and Dec (Alien Autopsy (2006)). Run, Fat Boy, Run opened at the top of the UK box-office charts ahead of Atonement. It is an immensely likable, big-hearted romantic comedy that has a wide-ranging appeal as unpretentious feel-good escapism and a perfect date movie choice. A snappy pace and a good deal of knockabout visual humour should help the film to translate into overseas markets especially in places where Shaun Of The Dead (2005) and Hot Fuzz (2007) have helped to create a Pegg fan base.

Pegg is both star and co-writer of Run, Fat Boy, Run, confirming his personal abilities are strong even when divorced from Shaun of The Dead collaborators like Edgar Wright and Nick Frost. He has a rare combination of talents as someone who can bring dramatic conviction to a comic role whilst also performing the kind of bruising pratfalls that would make Norman Wisdom proud. Run, Fat Boy, Run should be another stepping stone towards inclusion in a league of reliable funnymen that currently includes Will Ferrell, Steve Carell and Seth Rogen.

Pegg plays endearing loser Dennis. Five years ago, he made the idiotic mistake of jilting pregnant fiancee Libby (Newton) on their wedding day. Now, he works as a security guard in a clothes shop, lives in a dingy basement flat, worships his little son and never lets a day pass without regretting his actions. His despair only deepens when Libby meets Whit (Azaria), a handsome, successful American hedge fund manager who sweeps her off her feet. Whit has a passion for running charity marathons and so Dennis vows to win back the woman of his dreams by turning himself into a lean, mean competitor in the Nike River Run and finally finishing something that he has started.

Run, Fat Boy, Run proceeds along familiar lines but has enough charm and amusing one-liners to win over an audience who are simply seeking a fun night at the movies.

David Schwimmer has directed episodes of Friends and the television film Since You've Been Gone (1998). Run, Fat Boy, Run is his theatrical directorial debut and whilst it does sometimes have the feel of classy television situation comedy, it is handled with enough snap and focus to merit its place on cinema screenings.

Schwimmer is entirely at home with the material and has a feel for the rhythms of comedy that is displayed in expert timing and spot-on punchlines. He allows room for the story to breathe and the other characters to make their mark; Dylan Moran is especially droll as Dennis's laidback friend Gordon and Harish Pate adds to the good spirits as landlord Mr Goshdashtidar who provides all the coaching expertise a long distance runner might require-he beats a lazy Dennis on the backside with a lethal spatula.

Run, Fat Boy, Run hits the spot because it always remains believable and wins audience sympathy for the plight of a plucky underdog. It should mark a significant career step for both Pegg and Schwimmer who previously acted together in the feature The Big Nothing (2006).

Director
David Schwimmer

Production Company
Picturehouse
Material Entertainment

International sales
New Line International

Producers
Robert Jones
Sarah Curtis

Executive Producers
Joseph Infantolino
Alexa L Fogel
Nigel Green
Camela Galano
Rolf Mittweg
Martha Coleman

Screenplay
Michael Ian Black
Simon Pegg

Cinematography
Richard Greatrex

Production design
Sophie Becher

Editor
Michael Parker

Music
Alex Wurman

Main cast
Simon Pegg
Thandie Newton
Dylan Moran
Hank Azaria
Harish Patel