He’s shaping up for the love of his life.

British comedian, Simon Pegg, sure is making his way into mainstream cinema. Proof of this is in the role he plays in “Run, Fat Boy, Run.” Before you dismiss the film, it may have something to do with the dismal title, give it a chance; you won’t be seeing the film of your life, but one with big laughs and an even bigger heart that shouldn’t disappoint. It all boils down to your expectations. It may not be “Shaun of the Dead” or “Hot Fuzz,” this time Pegg goes solo, but it sure is a fair debut by loveable actor David Schwimmer, of televisions “Friends.”

Dennis (Simon Pegg) is useless man with no aspirations, who works as a security guard for a women’s lingerie store – where he spends his time chasing petty thieves who just happen to come in the form of transsexuals. Why you ask? Well, it all boils down to his first mistake, which see as a flashback. You see, a mere five years earlier Dennis had it all. He was about to marry the perfect girl, Libby (Thandie Newton), who was very much pregnant. He got cold feet, the looming prospect of responsibility no doubt, and runs from the life he could have had. He does not stop running, metaphorically speaking. He has since become a lazy, self indulgent loser who spends his time drinking and chain smoking, leaving him unfit. Things could not get any worse for the scruffy guy, living in a dingy basement, unable to pay rent and permanently single.

He sees Libby all the time, because of his visits to his five-year-old son, Jack (Matthew Fenton). Then, as if his luck was cursed, he finds out Libby is seeing someone, Mr. Perfect with an odd name, Whit (Hank Azaria) – who is everything Dennis is not. He has a well paying job, good looks, charm, wit and also gets along with Jack. What is more, he runs marathons! Dennis suddenly yearns for the life he threw away and tries to win Libby back. His solution? Sign up for the very same charity marathon Whit has been training months for, as if it will somehow prove to Libby how much he has changed, as a father and as a man. Yes, by running a marathon he thinks it will right all his wrongs. Stumbling blocks are inevitable. First thing is first, he needs to get in shape, miraculously overcoming his smoke stained lungs and damaged liver, and is helped by his hilarious landlord (Harish Patel) and his best friend Gordon (Dylan Moran), who also happens to be Libby’s cousin.

The main reason to see this film is for Pegg’s magnetic comic skill. He never takes things too far, most of the films problems stem from its predictable direction, no matter much his charming character messes up, and you still root for him right up until the expected ending after the predictable, but enjoyable, marathon race. Without all the laughter, good intentions and heart warming skill provided by the capable cast, who unfortunately are often reduced to giving caricatures instead of performances, Dennis’s illusions that a simple run around, a surprisingly attractive and retro looking, London, supporting erectile dysfunction as his cause, would fix everything; the film would probably fall flat. But it does not. 

“Run, Fat Boy, Run” is a charming take on a clichéd story, set to a fantastic soundtrack with a loveable hero who exchanges his cold feet for bright yellow running shoes, and somewhere in between all the goofy gags and sentimental romance, more American than British, its distinctive charisma shines through. It may not leave a shred of a lasting impression, but it is a fun journey and, if the film teaches anything at all, that is what counts.

Fatac Rating: ***

Run, Fat Boy, Run. Director: David Schwimmer. Written by Michael Ian Black and Simon Pegg. Starring: Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria, Matthew Fenton. Running Time: 100 minutes. Age Restriction: 10 L. USA 2008. Rating out of five stars.