| "Run, Fat Boy, Run"--movie review |
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Simon Pegg wins the spring race of movies with another hit called "Run, Fat Boy, Run"(directed by David Schwimmer). It is a romantic comedy with a number of "tear jerker" sad/sweetheart moments(which sort of bolster the cheers for Pegg as a family man) as well as a few flashes of skin and awkward sexual humor bits. Despite my intial doubts from postponing and repetitive trailers, I can say it was well worth the wait.
In the film(which saddens me for one reason because apparently it has already been released on DVD before reaching American theaters), Simon plays Dennis Doyle, a man who had a great woman in his life named Libby(played by the gorgeous, lovely Thandie Newton), who is quickly becoming such a "loser" after getting cold feet right before his wedding to the woman he made pregnant. He requires a great deal of support and understanding to get off his butt and make something of his life. To get him on his way, he has an Indian landlord played by Harish Patel, Mr. G(we will call him as his name is a bit of a mouthful), with a gorgeous, dreamy daughter named Maya(played by India de Beaufort). And, he has his best man/friend named Gordon(the butt of a few jokes, Dylan Moran) who is quite the gambler. In a short time of five years, Dennis(Pegg) is one step from being thrown out on his butt from a depressing basement apartment(to which he can never remember to take the key with him) and losing the woman he passed up to a guy named Whit(an extremely greasy and bothersome jerk of a success story played by Hank Azaria who seems to play this type of role well despite his comical vocal genius in "The Simpsons"). When Whit drives the concept of a marathon race into Dennis' head, the slacker gradually rolls himself out of bed and takes up his sword to charge into the London Nike River Marathon any way he can(which, by the way, had to be an excellent piece of promotional material for the shoe company considering how they utilize and advertise them) with the hopes of winning Libby back. And, it takes some betting and effort to get this to happen. As many would expect, he hits a few snags along the way. And, the end is not as clear cut as anticipated(which in this case was a delightful surprise). But, it is quite the championing of the little slacker story.
Pegg already won my favor with a previous work("Hot Fuzz") which was a bit gorey for me yet had plenty of comical genius moments to win me over. I enjoyed watching the time spent with his movie son, "snotface" Jake, and his struggles in the race. I have yet to rent/see his previous work("Shaun of the Dead"), but would anticipate it to be equally amusing. As far as British actors go, I would seriously consider hiring him to work on a film with me. One thing I cannot quite understand yet is why he chooses to play a policeman-type part as well as a smoker. His teeth are far whiter than his friend in the film(Moran, who is great in this buddy role).
I cannot understand why Azaria plays such slim, trim slimeballs when he is a cartoon voice wizard. I have yet to see him play an actual good guy. He simply annoys me on film. If that is his intention in the consideration of playing a part well, then I say...good job?
I have to throw another rose of infatuation at the discreet eye candy of this film. Without flaunting or bearing all in any way, Thandie Newton and India de Beaufort nearly captured my complete attention. It was difficult to focus on the story(and notice their acting skills) with such beautiful women on screen.
There is some considerable effort in this film to create artistic camera angles. And, thus, I want to mention one that disappointed me. There is a scene where after being heartbroken by his "ex", Dennis(Pegg) is walking across a bridge at night when a shadow of a railing crosses his chest. If he had been walking the other way, the shadow would have cut a hole where his heart is. It would/could have been artistic genius. There is a great little Nike-pitching scene with an actual brick wall which Doyle(Pegg) must bypass. It wasn't perfect, but it made me smile.
There is very little I can say bad about "Run, Fat Boy, Run". It triumphs in creating/conveying emotions that I would never expect to express even though it may seem a bit common or flat in premise. It seemed clear to me that Pegg was competing with the likes of Jim Carrey in the vein of "Bruce Almighty", but I think Pegg could easily avoid the similarity here and still be seen as a legendary comical genius in America himself.
At just over an hour and a half long, I give the PG-13 "Run, Fat Boy, Run" a "well-done" three and a quarter stars. So, run--don't walk(or hit the wall)--to your nearest theater. And, be sure to put some KY on your nipples as they may get sore along the way. [But, do NOT wear short shorts.] I wouldn't recommend it as a family film(despite seeing two very young kids at the theater with their parents) due to some of the language and visuals(which were far less intolerable than in some other films I have seen) which may need some explanation to inquiring young minds. But, as a date or friend group movie(LATE teen or older), it is a "no-brainer" winner. So, until he makes a complete flop of himself, make my British comedies Pegg-ed. That'll do, Mr. Pegg. That'll do. Well done.
--brainstormer, free-lance movie critic and participant in the Thoughts.com blogging experience.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run,_Fat_Boy,_Run
www.runfatboyrunmovie.com/
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