The add on tv doesn't do it justice. It predicts a boring English movie directed by an American ('Friends' star David Schwimmer).That's the impression I got. But seeing the RUN FAT BOY RUN poster on every bus every day for the past 10 days at least 20 times/day, I thought " what the hell! let's give this movie a chance and see what all the fuss is about"!! And let me tell you it is the best piece of cinematographic art I've seen in a while!
It is about an average, ordinary Londoner with a lame job and a past he can't really let go. Dennis Doyle ( Simon Pegg) got cold feet and left his pregnant fiancee at the altar on their wedding day. Five years later he is a security-guard not doing the best of jobs in the world, as he's a bit chubby and very unfit. Accepted by his ex-fiancee ,Libby ( Thandie Newton) as part of their son's life, he sees the kid quite often and the Mom as well.He realizes how much he wants her back only when another character appears in her life- a potential husband- well-off American hunk Whit ( Hank Azaria).
The decision to run the London marathon is at the beginning just a bit of a joke, a "I'll show you I can do it, I'll show you I can change" to prove Libby that he can be a good father/husband/human being and succeed in something. " You've never finished a thing in your life" is the blame he gets from everybody around him and he knows they're right.He always gives up. He's never achieved anything in his entire life.
Even after he commits to run the marathon he doesn't really take it seriously, he doesn't do a damn thing to train for the 26 miles he's expected to run and still takes it pretty much as a joke or something quite easy to achieve.
Only when his best friend,Gordon (Dylan Moran) tells him he bet a lot of money that he would finish the marathon he starts to grasp the immensity of what he's got himself into.The marriage proposal he witnesses at Libby's birthday party gives him even more determination to follow through.
The brief encounters with Whit and everything that makes his rival seem so superior to him not only gets the worst out of him, but annoys him and makes him want to prove he can be better at something. Dennis is basically an immature man, not fully grown up, with a teenage attitude and life-style.That's what makes him real and makes the audience fall in love with him.He's not strong-willed, has got no great purposes or dreams.He doesn't know very well what he wants himself.He has to be pushed by friends in order to achieve something.Ever since he left the love of his life standing at the alter, he has retreated and has become lonely, shy and a bit weird ( the scene where he kisses himself in the mirror clearly shows he's not quite right in the head)
The big day of marathon starts like a potential chaos and follows even more chaotic-from nearly missing the start to getting into a dispute with Whit over Libby and their future together.Running alongside, arguing, Whit intentionally trips him and both of them get injured. While Whit, with just some bruises is unbelievably the one to quit the marathon, Dennis,with a sprained ankle carries on running til the end.
Go watch this movie, it's fun, relaxing, has got really nice humour, with a simple story easy to follow and strong emotions triggering great-to-watch reactions.
It really makes you laugh and cry with the characters.You won't stay still emotionally for 2 seconds!!The movie just won't let you.
RUN FAT BOY RUN shows that common,ordinary people can find the strength to fight for a dream and not give up.It's touching through its simplicity and entertaining through its hilarious characters. ( Gordon and Mr.G are HILARIOUS!!!).
I will try to overlook the overwhelming Nike adds and the Gherkin's appearance that don't do any favour to the movie and concentrate on the funny lines, the story and the brilliant performance of the actors.
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