Film Review: Run, Fatboy, Run (2007)

Simon Pegg’s Likeability Saves Mediocre Writing

Jan 2, 2009 Andrea Beca

This British comedy puts rising star Simon Pegg to work running a marathon - the result has a lot of heart, but is lacking overall in terms of originality and substance.

In Run, Fatboy, Run, Simon Pegg leaves the comfort of sci-fi/horror and spoofs for a romantic comedy about a man who is trying to win back the love of his life by running, literally.

The Everyman Takes on 26 Miles

Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead; Hot Fuzz) is an average bloke who, at one point, was lucky enough to have Libby Odell (Thandie Newton, RocknRolla) in his life. Unfortunately, he didn’t feel like he was good enough for her, and as a result ran away from her, leaving her pregnant at the alter on their wedding day. The two have stayed in touch because of their son, Jake (Matthew Fenton), but over time, Libby has found herself a new beau.

When Dennis meets Whit (Hank Azaria), he finally realizes that Libby is not his anymore, and he doesn’t want to lose her. Whit is a “perfect” man – he is handsome, rich, and fit; he even runs marathons for charity. Accused of never finishing anything he has started, Dennis decides to run the same 26-mile marathon as Whit in order to prove his love and devotion for Libby and Jake.

Mediocre Storyline Saved by Strong, Loveable Cast

Run, Fatboy, Run has a lot of heart – it is obvious in watching the film that writers Michael Ian Black and Simon Pegg, teamed with director David Schwimmer (of Friends fame) wanted to produce a story that held the importance of family above anything else. Overall, though, the story feels that it is lacking substance.

The film certainly has its saving points – Dennis’ best friend (and Libby’s cousin) Gordon (played by Dylan Moran, Black Books) provides an excellent comic pairing for Pegg, and Matthew Fenton is absolutely charming as Dennis’ young son – but much of the story also feels either too slow or too fast. The beginning of the film is meant to “Set up” the audience – to illustrate Dennis’ character and how his relationship with Libby ended up at this point – but at the same time, the movie jumps very quickly from five years ago to the present.

Libby’s new boyfriend is also sprung on the audience quite suddenly. It is not even clear that she is dating until he shows up, and from that point their relationship instantly blossoms to Whit staying over and then engagement. In fact, the entire premise – the marathon – is not even introduced until quite late in the film. This is probably the biggest issue with the movie, since by the time the audience learns of the marathon, the film needs to wrap up.

Despite the rushed ending and somewhat lacking story line, Simon Pegg manages to save the film with his sheer likeability. He’s the kind of guy you can’t help but feel sorry for, and quite early on in the movie, you will find yourself just wanting him to be happy. When he enters the marathon and perseveres (even though he has been tripped and injured by Whit), you cannot help but root for him until the finish line, and rejoice in the fact that Libby may give him another chance.

Another saving point of Run, Fatboy, Run is that it does not offer audiences a stereotypical, forced happy ending. Although Libby and Jake are waiting for Dennis at the finish line, they do not get married and re-start their lives where they left off five years prior. Rather, Dennis is given a second chance, and after a while, he gains the courage to ask Libby to dinner. At least it’s somewhat realistic in that sense.

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