Mini movie review: Run, Fat Boy, Run

Run, Fat Boy, Run is a silly, inconsequential comedy starring Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton and Hank Azaria, and directed by David Schwimmer.  About five years ago, Dennis (Pegg) suffered a major case of cold feet and left his pregnant bride Libby (Newton) at the altar.  Now, his relationship with her is strained, although he does love his exceedingly adorable son; he's out of shape; and his security guard job at the ladies' wear section of a department store scarcely pays enough for him to make the rent.

Libby is doing just fine, however, with her popular bakery shop and very nice flat.  Even better, she's dating the smooth, successful American Whit (Azaria) who runs marathons for fun.  When Dennis - who still carries a torch for the woman he abandoned - meets Whit and learns of an upcoming charity run ... well, you can see where this is headed.

This is not the Simon Pegg of Shaun of the Dead, Spaced or Hot Fuzz.  This is Simon Pegg in a generic, slightly funny comedy, playing an Everyman schlub who overcomes the odds with a supporting cast of vaguely eccentric characters, and ends up learning something in the process.  It's a harmless enough movie, not terrible but not particularly good, and while it's always good to see Pegg onscreen, I prefer him to be unshackled in less conventional fare.