What begins with manic editing (close-ups, jump cuts and zooms) eventually settles down to an old fashioned filmed romantic comedy with both an American and British touch.  Directed by FRIENDS’ David Schwimmer and written by American Michael Ian Black and Brit Simon Pegg (SHAUN OF THE DEAD and HOT FUZZ), RUN, FATBOY, RUN is an effective totally believable romance which surprisingly does not contain any sex or long snogging scenes. 

It all starts when Dennis (Pegg) leaves his expecting bride, Libby (Thandie Newton) at the altar (actually on the street) – and all because he thinks he is not good enough for her.  Apparently he is, and a loving father of their 5-year old son, Jake (Mathew Fenton) as the film progresses 5 years into the future.  Libby is dating hunk, Whit (Hank Azaria) who is successful, rich and yes, nice.  So the movie goes to prove that an unfit nobody will take on the marathon to win back his girl and boy.  And to the film’s credit, it does so hilariously and convincingly.

The jokes in the film are pushed to the extreme.  Every scene is milked for all possible angles of hilarity.  Dennis as store security has to chase a black drag queen (and not some ordinary thief) for stolen lingerie (and not some normal goods).  In a segment in which Dennis approaches Libby in her Nice Buns Confectionary Store, one customer happens to pop out right of the LITTLE BRITAIN series – in the form of the David Williams character that always make unreasonable requests at a store.

No doubt, RUN, FATBOY, RUN contains a few clichés but such are the traps fallen into by any film in this genre. Why must the sidekick (Dylan Moran) be an Irishman always showing his bare bum?  Like NOTTING HILL.  The heavy accented Indian landlord, Mr. Ghoshdashtidar (Harish Patel) creates extra welcome laughs.  The sights of busy London are always a pleasure to see onscreen from the banks by the Thames to the tall skyscrapers.  Still, RUN, FATBOY, RUN is more disciplined and hectic than Simon Pegg’s other two comedies.  Unfortunately, it is less funny or fresh.