Run, Fatboy, Run (2007)

Five years after jilting his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, out-of-shape Dennis decides to run a marathon to win her back.

Director:

David Schwimmer

Writers:

Michael Ian Black (screenplay), Simon Pegg (screenplay)

Stars:

Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Simon Pegg	...	Dennis
Thandie Newton	...	Libby
Hank Azaria	...	Whit
Dylan Moran	...	Gordon
Harish Patel	...	Mr. Goshdashtidar
India de Beaufort	...	Maya Goshdashtidar
Matthew Fenton	...	Jake
Simon Day	...	Vincent
Ruth Sheen	...	Claudine
Tyrone Huggins	...	Grover
Nevan Finegan	...	Mickey
Iddo Goldberg	...	News Reporter
Ameet Chana	...	Taxi Driver
Chris Hollins	...	Himself
Denise Lewis	...	Herself

Storyline

Dennis is a clueless and slightly overweight guy, who left his pregnant fiancée five years earlier. Every day, Dennis tries to persuade the woman he loves to accept him back into his life, but everyday he fails. When he discovers that Libby has found a partner in the form of American Whit, frustration grows, and Dennis vows, that for once in his life, he will finish something. This something ends up being a Nike River-run in London. With his friends Gordon and Mr. Ghoshdashtidar by his side, Dennis begins training for the marathon he must finish.

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Plot Keywords:

blister | marathon | training | wedding | gym | 

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Taglines:

Love. Commitment. Responsibility. There's nothing he won't run away from.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some rude and sexual humor, nudity, language and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [UK] Picturehouse [United States]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Run, Fat Boy, Run

Filming Locations:

Cannons Health Club, Endell Street, Covent Garden, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£2,010,250 (United Kingdom), 9 September 2007, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,340,743, 30 March 2008, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$5,998,971, 18 May 2008

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$19,585,967, 14 October 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beech Hill Films,Entertainment Films,Material Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Schwimmer & Hank Azaria previously worked together on "Friends" (1994)

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Goofs

After Maya has taken Dennis' snapshot to enforce their bet, she instantly points the camera upwards, towards him, and upwards again from cut to cut.

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Quotes

TV Commentator: [Dennis just finished the marathon] He's done it! He's actually done it! This morning, Dennis Doyle was a humble shop worker from north London, tonight, he goes home a hero!

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Crazy Credits

Closing credits shown in (hard to read) foot-prints, as in a marathon runner running.

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Alternate Versions

Two words are dubbed over in the version shown on HBO in the United States. (1) While in the bun shop, the little old lady calls Dennis a "prick" instead of a "cock". (2) When Libby is showing Gordon the bathroom, he says that he put on Italian loafers and they "hurt like hell" instead of "hurt like fuck". In both instances, the actor's mouths are clearly mouthing the correct words, which are also shown in the closed captions.

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Connections

Referenced in Countdown: Episode #72.80 (2015)

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Soundtracks

The Magic Position
Performed by Patrick Wolf
Courtesy of Polydor UK Ltd
Under licence from Universal Music Operations

User Reviews

Fun Run With Fatboy

Simon Pegg is back, this time as a fatboy, with a new gang, in David Schwimmer's 'Run Fatboy Run'. Schwimmer has already gained recognition as a very talented comedy actor in the famous (and one of my all time favorite) sitcom 'Friends'. He tried his hand in direction with a couple of episodes of 'Friends' and 'Joey' and a few films. With 'Run Fatboy Run' he proves that he's a very capable director and does a brilliant job here. Being an American, I wonder how he studied the Brit humour as he does a great job giving the film the right Brit charm (of course with good collaboration from the actors and screenplay).

'Run Fatboy Run' fits into a category which I have freely termed 'Little British Movies' (other movies fitting into this category include 'Kinky Boots', 'Calender Girls', 'Billy Elliot' etc). These movies are about people from an ordinary background facing ordinary problems and tackling them with extraordinary results. Unlike the other films, 'Run Fatboy Run' relies more on slapstick (just think of 'Shaun of the Dead') but the dialogues too have the sharp wit and smart humour that make this a charming film. The story pretty much follows a 'tested' formula where the goofy guy tries to win back his ex-fiancée (whom he dumped at the alter) after the entry of a rival and when means fail, he decides to take somewhat drastic measures like run a marathon. But, what makes turns this formula into something new is that it is cleverly parodied (again, think of 'Shaun of the Dead').

Pegg stands out doing what he does best. His comic timing is impeccable and his expressions will surely draw laughs. The actor prevents any of the comedy that might have fallen flat (had it been performed by a lesser actor) by making his scenes amusing and entertaining. It's great to see the sensational Thandie Newton play a Brit after a long time. Even though her character is pretty much the typical love interest, she does a good job nonetheless. Hank Azaria is fits the bill as the nice-guy-we-should-hate. He brilliantly spoofs up his part towards the end. Dylan Moran is spot on as the cynical goofy friend. Harish Patel is hilariously phenomenal as the landlord-mentor-friend. Watch out for the pleasantly surprising cameos.

The camera-work is very good and the makers make good use of the photogenic park locations in London by making them look colourful and beautiful. The whimsical soundtrack too adds to the light-heartedness.

Overall, 'Run Fatboy Run' is genuinely funny. It has all the ingredients finely put together to make it a successful comedy. It works as a great date movie, a fun family film and a cool comedy to watch with friends.