By snoadmin
Romantic comedies: Most women love them and most men hate them. There is a stigma attached to the romantic comedy genre with positive and negative reactions from both sexes.
Audiences also hold certain expectations for films starring Simon Pegg (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz”), looking forward to the moments of slapstick comedy as well as the parodying of other genres and certain character stereotypes.
Those expectations associated with a romantic comedy, or a Pegg film, are well met in Material Film’s newest release, “Run, Fat Boy, Run.”
In this love story, Dennis, played by Pegg, literally runs away from his marriage to his pregnant fiancé Libby, played by Thandie Newton. She is left shouting to him from the street in front of the church, bridal bouquet in hand, as he flees.
Five years pass. Dennis is slightly overweight, out of shape and his son lives with Libby. He works what many would consider a pathetic job as a security officer for one small women’s clothing store.
When a drag queen, played by Gabriel Fleary, steals lingerie from the store on Dennis’ watch, simply for her own amusement, the comedy begins.
“Run, fat boy! Run!” she yells to him as she slowly runs away with Dennis huffing and puffing behind, unable to catch her.
Even more pitiful, Dennis lives alone in a tiny apartment that he consistently locks himself out of, is late on paying the rent for and is not happy in. He doesn’t realize his shortcomings until Whit, played by Hank Azaria, comes into the picture.
Whit, who is dating Libby, has a great job, a big home, and is running a Nike marathon for charity.
In order to gain Libby’s trust and love back, Dennis vows to also run the marathon for a charity, which proves difficult. Training for such a run when you’re a chain smoker and out of shape, well, that’s possibly asking too much. And circumstances force Dennis to even run in a mascot outfit.
Libby’s cousin and Dennis’ best friend, Gordon, hilariously played by Dylan Moran, takes on the role of Dennis’ trainer and is assisted by Mr. Ghoshdashtidar, Dennis’ landlord. Self-control struggles, bouts with unrealistic blisters, and hilarity, subsequently ensue from the marathon.
Yes, this romantic comedy may not be conventional or take a naturalistic approach, but it does have its warm-fuzzy moments and the humor is laugh-out-loud worthy.
Harish Patel, who plays Mr. Ghoshdashtidar, gives a great performance, combining warmth, understanding and some of the motivation to drive Dennis.
Dennis’ son, Jake, played by Matthew Fenton, is very cute and the chemistry he shares with Pegg really shows a loving relationship between father and son.
“Run, Fat Boy, Run” is a good romantic comedy for teens as well, though the themes explored in the film are really better suited for the 20-somethings and up.
Though it’s a fun film, it shares a more serious message that we should embrace everything that being in love encompasses and live up to our responsibilities as adults.
It would be nice to hear more people say, as Dennis says, “I’m sick of being a nearly man.”
