Film Bites

Dennis Doyle(Pegg) isn’t the most adept of men. Years after leaving his fiancée at the alter, he has degraded into an overweight, poor, security guard. His friends and family try to cheer him up, while at the same time telling him he’s an idiot for ditching Libby(Newton) at the altar, while pregnant with their son. In spite of the constant prodding from his friends and his conscience, Dennis doesn’t have much reason to improve his health, life and love. That is, until Whit(Azeria) shows up.

Whit is Libby’s new boyfriend, and he’s better than Dennis in every way. Whit is an investment banker in downtown london, he runs marathons, has the eye of Libby and is a better father than Dennis. After Dennis gets arrested for trying to buy scalped tickets to The Lord of the Rings on Ice for his son Jake(Fenton), Whit shows him up with tickets for the whole family. To regain his honor, Dennis vows to run the London Marathon to prove to Libby and Jake that he is truly a man and Whit isn’t all he’s cracked up to be.

Run, Fatboy, Run is an interesting take on an old story. Guy gives up girl, girl finds someone else, guy must earn back girl. It sounds pretty straight forward, but Fatboy adds some twists and turns along the way. For example, Gordon(Moran), Dennis’ best friend and Libby’s cousin, wagers with some shady folks that Dennis will complete the marathon. If Dennis is successful, Gordon stands to make a boat-load of cash (hint-hint). Needless to say, it is in Gordon’s best interest to make sure Dennis finishes.

Pegg’s breakthrough performance in Shawn of the Dead was probably his best. The interim film, Hot Fuzz, was disappointing to put it lightly, but Pegg seems to be back in Fatboy. A good, light-hearted laugh, the film is enjoyable from start to finish. Dennis is the lovable doofus who didn’t get it right the first time, but has the potential, so we’re forced to root for him until he finally succeeds.