filmfun

Run Fatboy Run was released onto DVD today.  While in theaters the film grossed about £10.6 million in the UK and just under $6 million in the US.  Although it wasn’t hugely successful in the US it’s still worth a download, or rental, and if you’re a Simon Pegg fan then it’s worth a buy.

The plot of the film focuses on Dennis (Simon Pegg) a slightly overweight and childish middle-aged man who left his pregnant fiancée of five years at the alter. He regrets this action and wants her back but she is now happily with an American played by Hank Azaria. In order to prove himself and win his ex-fiancée back he’s decided to show that he can be dedicated by committing to a Nike River-run marathon in London. Now he must train with the help of his friend Gordon played by Pegg’s good friend Dylan Moran (Shaun of the Dead).

What I found most particularly interesting was the unusual collaboration of three great comedians coming together with all their wit and talents in order to produce this film. These three all seem to have their own variation on comedy and it was interesting to see what kind of humor could be produced from this unique mix.

First there is David Schwimmer, best known as Ross from the hit series Friends making his motion picture directing debut with this film. Schwimmer has had some directing experience in which he directed ten episodes of Friends and a few episodes of other TV series. As an actor Schwimmer’s comedic acting tended to focus on the romantic comedies in which he is a lovable nerd that needs a little help in order to be with the one he loves. Having the experience of playing these types of roles helped him in his directing decisions since the main character is of a similar character type.

Next, another American comedian Michael Ian Black , who wrote and starred in Stella wrote the screenplay of this film. Stella was an offbeat sketch-comedy with the tagline: “Dumb comedy dressed up in a suit.” It was aired on Comedy Central in 2005 with a short run until it was cancelled, but has since gained an underground following and fan club. Many of the jokes focused on the absurd parodying of relationships and situations in typical dramas. It makes sense that Black would write this serious story about a man trying to win back the one he loves with such an absurd idea of the man showing this commitment by running in a marathon.

Finally there is British comedian Simon Pegg , best known for writing and starring in the cult zombie spoof film Shaun of the Dead who co-wrote this screenplay and stars in the film. In Shaun of the Dead Pegg’s character is similar to his character in this film as Dennis: they both are romantics at heart but have strong commitment problems. Similar to Black, Pegg also likes to focus on the bizarre and parody. With zombie spoofs and cop spoofs (Hot Fuzz) already under his belt, this film focused on the underdog sport spoof. He also wrote and starred in his own British TV series Spaced which is similar to Stella with its absurd sketch-comedy qualities.

-Shavon Keller