The Weighing Game

Written by Michael Ian Black of "The State", "Viva Variety" and countless other comedy ensembles, "Run, Fat Boy, Run" opens with soon-to-be-husband Dennis in a cold sweat, making the decision to sprint from his wedding, leaving pregnant bride Libby at the altar. Thankfully, Dennis is played by Simon Pegg ("Shaun of the Dead" and the under-appreciated "Hot Fuzz"), who is likeable without being precious. So while you don't forgive Dennis this transgression, you're willing to watch him suffer to make it right. And suffer he will, thanks to Mr. Black's scattershot script and the quick pacing provided by the feature film directorial debut of former "Friend" David Schwimmer.

Five years down the road, Dennis has put on a few pounds and is living in a one-room basement apartment for which he is repeatedly incapable of remembering the key. With this, and a variety of other scenes, the film makes it clear that Dennis has never grown up. And yet, he is still in Libby's life, making occasional visits (no mention of child support is given) to his now five-year-old, surprisingly well-adjusted son. When Hank Azaria's Whit shows up as Libby's beau, Dennis is spurred to action. Kinda. He vows to not only race in an upcoming charity marathon with Whit, but to finish. Faster than you can say "cue the workout montage", Dennis - buoyed by wiseacre friend Gordon (Dylan Moran) and one-joke character Mr. Ghoshdashtidar (Harish Patel) - is off and running, so to speak. These moments, which show Dennis in beat-up sneakers and too-tight shorts, attempting to shape up, provide some of the films best moments.

But "Run, Fat Boy, Run" is a film that, like its hero, never quite commits. Dennis isn't really fat as much as he's a bit chunky. His relationship with Libby (Thandie Newton, who could stand to put on a pound or two) isn't exactly sparking with chemistry. And Libby's new boyfriend Whit isn't such a bad guy. Mr. Pegg is a very talented comedian, but his acting chops are better suited to the parodies which made him a star. The role of Dennis - and the film itself - requires a subtlety which Mr. Pegg and his director are not confident enough to pull off. Instead, the film is peppered with pratfalls and blister-popping gross-outs that belong in a Farrelly Brothers movie, not a small indie about a man-boy trying to become a man-man. As a result, "Fat Boy" never quite gels into anything more than a few funny moments from some talented filmmakers. By the time the final, inevitable marathon rolls around and the strings swell, what could have been an ending akin to "The Full Monty" is more like a road well-traveled.