Run, Fat Boy, Run (2007)

Dennis (Simon Pegg) is a failure; he's a quitter. He's never finished anything in his life and now, five years after leaving his pregnant girlfriend, Libby (Thandie Newton), he is filled with regret. With the help of his best mate,Gordon (Dylan Moran) {must see: the BBC series Black Books} Dennis finally admits it. When the new boyfriend Whit (Hank Azaria) moves in on Libby, Dennis decides to prove to her that he has changed. Too bad for him, he's decided to illustrate is point with a 26 mile marathon in three weeks, no less. With the help of Gordon and his Indian widower landlord, Dennis might just succeed at putting his pint-and-cig diet to rest and get the girl.

Run, Fat Boy, Run is an uplifting, albeit predictable, underdog story that delivers thanks to fun-loving cast, sight gags, and smart dialogue. Making his directorial debut is David Schwimmer. <------ Not my favorite, but this works.

The film leans heavily on it's cast. Simon Pegg in a semi-serious role as a dad is spot-on. The dialogue plays to his comedic strengths, but even in moments of seriousness, Pegg nails it. Dylan Moran is hysterical as always and alongside Pegg, the two creates a hilarious chemistry. Newton is cute; Azaria is perfectly smarmy. The young lad cast as Dennis' son is adorable.

Let me be clear. I would watch Pegg watching paint dry and it would be funny to me. Pegg's body of work: Shawn of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Spaced--it all plays to Pegg's impeccable comedic skills. Run, Fat Boy, Run is no different.