Run Fatboy Run!
Last night before heading to an "exclusive" Oscars party, we headed out to an advanced screening of Run Fatboy Run! The film is directed by David Schwimmer, so possibly suffers from the post-Friends curse.
The film stars Simon Pegg, who you might know from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Pegg plays an unfit lovable loser - Dennis - who makes the mistake of running out on his pregnant girlfriend Libby on their wedding day. The stunning Thandie Newton who was in the Oscar nominated Crash plays Libby. Hank Azaria plays Whit - the 'fit' competition for Libby's affection. And Dylan Moran (from Black Books) and Harish Patel slot in as supporting comedic roles.
One issue is that Dylan Moran and Hamish Patel perhaps outshine the rest of the cast in terms of comic acting. But that is not the main issue with this film. The main problem with this film is its pitch. Simply put the film is far more a romantic comedy than it is an out and out comedy. So I expect many people walking into the film will expect more from this, or something entirely different, than what they will get from the experience. But if you are prepared to accept this film as a nice little romantic story that is funny in places you should get a kick out of it like I did. The other thing I would say is that worryingly I seem to have a similar "schmucky" sensibility to perhaps David Schwimmer and the writers of Run Fatboy Run, so if you hate schmuckiness then I'd stay away from this one.
I did like this about twice as much as Walk Hard: the Dewy Cox Story, so I reckon it is about a 3 and a half stars/laughs/schmuckles out of 5.
I was also pleased to see that the Cohen brothers got two Oscars for No Country for Old Men. I had posted that No Country for Old Men was possibly going to be "the best film of 2008", and while there is still a lot of 2008 to go I think I was not far off writing that. I was also delighted that Diablo Cody got best writer for her original screenplay (I think that was the category! - there was wine) for Juno which I reviewed here.
The film stars Simon Pegg, who you might know from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Pegg plays an unfit lovable loser - Dennis - who makes the mistake of running out on his pregnant girlfriend Libby on their wedding day. The stunning Thandie Newton who was in the Oscar nominated Crash plays Libby. Hank Azaria plays Whit - the 'fit' competition for Libby's affection. And Dylan Moran (from Black Books) and Harish Patel slot in as supporting comedic roles.
One issue is that Dylan Moran and Hamish Patel perhaps outshine the rest of the cast in terms of comic acting. But that is not the main issue with this film. The main problem with this film is its pitch. Simply put the film is far more a romantic comedy than it is an out and out comedy. So I expect many people walking into the film will expect more from this, or something entirely different, than what they will get from the experience. But if you are prepared to accept this film as a nice little romantic story that is funny in places you should get a kick out of it like I did. The other thing I would say is that worryingly I seem to have a similar "schmucky" sensibility to perhaps David Schwimmer and the writers of Run Fatboy Run, so if you hate schmuckiness then I'd stay away from this one.
I did like this about twice as much as Walk Hard: the Dewy Cox Story, so I reckon it is about a 3 and a half stars/laughs/schmuckles out of 5.
I was also pleased to see that the Cohen brothers got two Oscars for No Country for Old Men. I had posted that No Country for Old Men was possibly going to be "the best film of 2008", and while there is still a lot of 2008 to go I think I was not far off writing that. I was also delighted that Diablo Cody got best writer for her original screenplay (I think that was the category! - there was wine) for Juno which I reviewed here.
2 comments:
Love,love,love Juno. Will have to catch the rest of the movies you mentioned.
Hi Steph,
Juno was awesome. Run Fatboy Run is good, just don't go in expecting an out and out comedy - expect a romantic comedy. No Country for Old Men, while very, very good, is quite violent and does not have a typical Hollywood ending. But that also makes it what it is and is such a necessary part of the story. I would not bother with Dewy Cox, although I reckon you'd like Superbad. And while the Darjeeling Limited is a good film, especially for brothers to watch, I don't think it would be your cup of tea (excuse the bad pun!)
Cheers,
Ed
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