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A chubby loser tries to win back the woman he jilted at the altar five years ago by running the London marathon. Comedy starring Simon Pegg, directed by 'Friends' star David Schwimmer
First things first: though a catchy title, Simon Pegg's titular character is hardly obese, merely a little portly around the midriff. Debut director David Schwimmer's years on 'Friends' would mean he's acquainted with the people who created the fat suit for co-star Courtney Cox's Monica, but their services weren't needed here. It immediately sets the tone for a film aiming for a little - but not much - more than gross-out gags, but which delivers even less than you'd hope for.
The initial conceit appears to be very slimline. We meet Dennis (Pegg) going through the commitment cold sweats on his wedding day to gorgeous and heavily pregnant Libby (Newton), before showing his running prowess by scarpering from the church. A decade on, Dennis is an in-store security guard, a part-time dad to his bright-eyed son Jake, and, worst of all, a tubby smoker.
Libby on the other hand runs a cute bakery and is falling for wealthy, super-fit American banker Whit (Azaria). Coming to the realisation, in true rom-com fashion, that Libby is the one for him after all, Dennis foolishly agrees to join Whit in the 'Nike River Run', a London marathon based around the Thames. To up the ante, it's not just his relationship that's on the line, but the fortunes of his dodgy-dealing best friend Gordon (Moran), who's bet heavily on Dennis's success.
First things first: though a catchy title, Simon Pegg's titular character is hardly obese, merely a little portly around the midriff. Debut director David Schwimmer's years on 'Friends' would mean he's acquainted with the people who created the fat suit for co-star Courtney Cox's Monica, but their services weren't needed here. It immediately sets the tone for a film aiming for a little - but not much - more than gross-out gags, but which delivers even less than you'd hope for.
The initial conceit appears to be very slimline. We meet Dennis (Pegg) going through the commitment cold sweats on his wedding day to gorgeous and heavily pregnant Libby (Newton), before showing his running prowess by scarpering from the church. A decade on, Dennis is an in-store security guard, a part-time dad to his bright-eyed son Jake, and, worst of all, a tubby smoker.
Libby on the other hand runs a cute bakery and is falling for wealthy, super-fit American banker Whit (Azaria). Coming to the realisation, in true rom-com fashion, that Libby is the one for him after all, Dennis foolishly agrees to join Whit in the 'Nike River Run', a London marathon based around the Thames. To up the ante, it's not just his relationship that's on the line, but the fortunes of his dodgy-dealing best friend Gordon (Moran), who's bet heavily on Dennis's success.
good work.