RUN, FAT BOY, RUN

"I'm not fat"

After leaving pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, Dennis' (Pegg) life had gone from bad to worse over the last five years. Even though he has a great relationship with his son, he has always thought that he and Libby (Newton) would get back together again but she has found someone new in the shape of the successful, charming and charismatic Whit (Azaria). Desperate to prove that he is right man for Libby, he enters the same marathon that Whit is running but he only has three weeks to train and he drinks, smokes and is incredibly unfit, as well as a bit fat.

When it comes to pushing the British comedy movie as far as it can go there is no one better than Simon Pegg but can he keep his run going?

After becoming a cult comedic actor on television on the cult shows 'Big Train' and 'Space', Simon Pegg became Britain's next big star with hits like 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz'. He even got to appear with Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible III' and with real stardom beckoning, Simon Pegg really can't do no wrong but the run to superstardom is a marathon and not a sprint.

When they collaborated for the black comedy 'Big Nothing', David Schwimmer decided to work with Simon Pegg again on his motion picture directorial debut. With Pegg reworking the script and setting the movie in London instead of the US, the story of a man who made the biggest mistake of his life and is desperate get another chance with the woman he loved and lost is a perfect start for the former 'Friends' actor. A romantic comedy was the obvious choice for Schwimmer to cut his teeth behind the camera and working with Simon Pegg has allowed him to produce a movie that will manage to raise a smile on more than one occasion.

There is something about Simon Pegg that you can't help but like. He is the British everyman, someone who you would like to go to the pub with and call your mate and this comes across in every role he plays. While Dennis may have left the very lovely and very pregnant Libby on their wedding day, you cannot help but like him and get behind his quest to win her back. This is a real gift for any actor and one that very few stars have had, with only really James Stewart and Tom Hanks matching what Simon Pegg is becoming. His support is also very good. After sharing the screen on 'Shaun of the Dead', Dylan Moran works with Simon Pegg again and this time he really gets to flex his comedic muscles. Delivering quality one-liners and he is involved in an extremely funny fight, Moran is let of the leash to have some real fun. Thandie Newton is a beautiful and talented actress who can turn her hand to anything and as Libby she is object of Dennis' and Whit's affections. The multitalented Hank Azaria plays the super rich American Whit, with just the right amount of 'Boo' quality to make you back Dennis to win Libby back. There is also a standout performance from Harish Patel as Dennis' landlord and trainer who has some very unusual training methods.

'Run, Fat Boy, Run' is a fun romantic comedy that proves again that Simon Pegg is a real talent. David Schwimmer also makes an impact as a director, by producing a Rom-Com that will appeal to both sexes and have you smiling and laughing throughout. While it might not have you running to see it again, the movie definitely crosses the finish line knowing that it completed the race.

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Big Nothing

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2007