Ever since the release of 'Knocked Up,'' coming-of-age comedies about doughy slackers have been very profitable at the box office. In his directorial debut, David Schwimmer takes a stab at using the same ingredients in 'Run, Fat Boy, Run'' that made director Judd Apatow's films so popular among the masses. While it is a noble effort by Schwimmer, the results are not so great. The film is very predictable from the beginning to the end. Nevertheless, the plot is about an English security officer named Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) and his attempt to win back his ex-fiance Libby (Thandie Newton).

Dennis's goal is very complex considering that he left Libby at the altar pregnant with their child five years ago, and she is now dating Whit (smarmily played by Hank Azaria), a fit and suave businessman. After Dennis is introduced to Whit by Libby, he discovers that Whit is running in the upcoming Nike River Marathon in London. Dennis is hopeful that if he enters the race and wins, he will earn the respect of Libby and his son. To prepare for the Nike River Marathon, Dennis has no other choice to put down the beers and snack foods, and get himself into shape.

Pegg has proven in films such as 'Shaun of the Dead'' and 'Hot Fuzz'' that he is capable of having comedic timing. Unfortunately, he provides only a few laughs in 'Run, Fat Boy, Run.'' Script-wise, he does not have a lot to work with, so that affected his performance to a greater degree. Newton does not fair better as Pegg's love interest. She's only in the film to create animosity between the two male leads. Only Azaria rises above the lukewarm script, and does a good job playing a smug character.

The film itself loses some cool points when it resorts to the typical knee-in-the-groin and fart jokes. Viewers have seen this type of uninspired charade in over 50 comedies before 'Run, Fat Boy, Run.'' It was not funny five years ago, and it is not funny now. On the other hand, the film has some tender moments such as the scenes with Dennis bonding with his son.

Pegg is partly to blame for the film's shortcomings because he was a co-writer of the script along with Michael Ian Black. Hopefully, Schwimmer will improve as a director in the future. With all of the millions that he has made from playing Ross on 'Friends'' I do not think he is too concerned about the financial success of his films. 'Run, Fat Boy, Run'' is definitely not a must see, but an average film to pass the time with.

Film Grade: C+

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