For his pedigree as a big theatrical director, it's funny that David Schwimmer's one directorial debut is an innocent popcorn comedy. Then again he's best known for a sitcom role, but it would have been nice to see Schwimmer try to escape that reputation.Nonetheless, "Run Fatboy Run" is a pretty watchable popcorn comedy about an aimless man in arrested development (Simon Pegg) who runs a marathon as a hail mary pass to win back his ersatz ex-wife/baby mama (Thandie Newton) who he left at the altar on their wedding night out of fear. It sets up a rather obvious but serviceable character arc: The man's a loser because he's a commitment-phobe so finishing the race will represent his ability to commit. The film is set in London with a certain British whimsy in terms of many of the side characters including Harish Patel as a quirky yet sweet downstairs neighbor, Dylan Moran as the opportunistic best friend, and Nevan Finegan as a sexy no-nonsense landlady. The film can be firmly divided into two halves: Before Simon Pegg's character runs a marathon, and the marathon itself. In the first act, it's pretty typical with obvious foreshadowing and comedy that seems a little overly reliant on grotesque physical in a manner reminiscent of the "Three Stooges" (or what I'd imagine the Three Stooges to be): In one scene, Pegg's character gets a nail in his toe in an effort to pop a blister; in another, he and Moran's character get into a fight that's played for humor based on the pain they must be in).What really elevates the film is when he starts running the marathon and the subplots merge into more of a kinetic frenzy. The humor of bodily pain starts to segue into the tropes of a feel-good movie.This is one of the few wide-release running films and there's a lot of relatable stuff here in how annoying other runners can be, how some of the good running tips don't make sense until you're on the track, how will power will only take you so far without practice, and how running a long-distance race is often about the light at the end of the tunnel.

If the man didn't finish the run, the woman didn't go back to him and the successful businessman didn't go evil all of a sudden at the end, I probably will give this film a 7. Unfortunately it turns out a stupid and naive story eventually. Guess the director believes the fantasy in Friends too much.

Friends star David Schwimmer made an impressive directorial debut in this comedic film. The star is Simon Pegg who works at lingerie store as a security guard. He ran away five years ago from his marriage to biracial Libby played wonderfully by Thandie Newton. Libby was pregnant with her son at their wedding that never happened. Well now Libby is dating Hank Azaria's character, a successful American working in London. I love the London film shots. Anyway Dennis Doyle played by Pegg decides to run the marathon. With his friend Gordon and his neighbor, Mr G, who sent him training. Will he give up and quit like he has so many times before. You have to watch and be surprised. It's a great comedy to watch for fun.

Simon Pegg ditches his pregnant fiancée(Thandie Newton) on their wedding day and runs away. 5 years pass. Now he is working as a security guard. Newton starts seeing Azaria, a successful businessman who is also good looking.She has Pegg's son, Jed. Azaria is obsessed with running and is about to participate in the London river marathon. Peggwants to win back the respect of Newton. He decides to run. The movie moves at a fairly good pace and the script is laced with very funny punch lines by Pegg who is excellent as the cigarette smoking, lazy guy who tries for an overhaul. Newton looks stunning but as usual cannot act even if her life depended on it. There are lots of quirky characters who help Pegg. The one notable mention is our own Harish Patel who plays Pegg's Indian landlord with an unpronounceable name. This ends up being uplifting aside from being hilarious. 3.5 out of 5.