Brit comedian mixes well with American humor
“Run Fatboy Run” mixes great performances with silly British humor to overcome its simple and predictable story to become one jolly good comedy.
After ditching his pregnant fiancée (Thandie Newton, “Norbit”) at the altar, Dennis Doyle’s (Simon Pegg, “Hot Fuzz”) life has gone nowhere. As a security guard at a fashion store, the most eventful parts of his week include getting to see his son during visitation times and chasing down drag queen shoplifters. When Dennis learns that his ex’s new fiancé (Hank Azaria, “The Simpsons”) is running a local marathon, he decides to enter the race to prove he wants her back.
Who would have thought the tall, insecure and awkward guy from “Friends” could craft an extremely entertaining comedy? In his directorial debut, David Schwimmer, a New York native, creates a British comedy that brings more laughs than England native Frank Oz’s dark British comedy “Death at a Funeral.” That’s quite a feat for someone who is more recently known for voicing the depressed and anxious giraffe in “Madagascar.”
Using a great mix of witty dialogue and awkward situations, “Run Fatboy Run” doesn’t fall victim to the over usage of slapstick and gross-out humor like many of this year’s comedies.
Whether it is Dennis vigorously using a clothing mannequin’s hand to scratch his crotch or having to watch his ex’s new fiancé powder his “goods” after a shower, the laughs are never in short supply.
With “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz,” Simon Pegg has become a comedic force to be reckoned with. In those two films, Pegg played a contained character who was serious and intelligent. In “Run Fatboy Run” one could say Pegg was let off the leash. Acting like a pathetic moron was what he was born to do. By constantly flaunting his unattractiveness, it seems Pegg may have taken a few cues from Will Ferrell.
Like most comedies today though, it is the supporting cast that often steals the show. In this film, it is undoubtedly Dylan Moran (“Shaun of the Dead”) as the gambling-addicted friend Gordon. Mixing randomness with vulgarity, Gordon delivers the film’s biggest laughs.
One example comes when talking about his last relationship ending in a broken collarbone and a dead meerkat. Another comes after Gordon pops Dennis’ gigantic blister, which leads to Gordon getting a face full of puss. Disgusting as that is, Gordon effortlessly turns the situation into an awkward one when he states, “That was the second most disgusting fluid I have ever had in my eye!”
Along with this amusing film comes an onslaught of special features ranging from audio commentaries to bloopers. The only worthwhile features are the always interesting deleted scenes and a pre-interview feature with Simon Pegg. In the pre-interview Pegg is seen sitting, waiting to be interviewed, but cannot get a drink of water, because all of the bottles are filled with vodka. Even the assistants don’t know what is going on after the third bottle they bring is still full of vodka not water. Pegg insists it is the clever Thandie Newton getting back at them.
“Run Fatboy Run” may not rank with the elite Judd Apatow comedies, but in this slow fall season, it is probably one of the best films you can rent.
‘Run Fatboy Run’
DVD Release Date: Sept. 23
Director: David Schwimmer
Starring: Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton and Hank Azaria
Genre: Comedy and romance
Rating: PG-13 for some rude and sexual humor, nudity and language.
Grade: B+
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on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 at 1:11 am and is filed under Arts & Entertainment, DVD Reviews, Vibe.
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