Loser’s comedy directed by David Schwimmer (his debut behind the camera) lacks a fat boy, but has a full-grown man, “not fat … just unfit,” who indeed runs and runs. First he runs from his own wedding, leaving his pregnant fiancée at the altar, and then five years later, trying to get back in the running, he decides to run against his former fiancée’s new boyfriend in a London marathon. It would appear to be no contest on the course or off: the unfit runner is a klutzy uniformed security guard at a women’s clothing store, chronically late with his rent and late for visitations with his toddling son, while his rival is a tall, tan, toned, handsome, well-heeled American financier. Simon Pegg, as the former, is certainly funny-looking (snowman’s dome, pebble eyes, carrot nose), which gives him a head start on being funny. Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz give him, in addition, some rope. But this, which he co-wrote with Michael Ian Black, is as conventional, and as sentimental, as any Adam Sandler comedy. (What charity sponsors his run? National Erectile Dysfunction Awareness. Name of the former fiancée’s bake shop? Libby’s Nice Buns. That sort of thing.) Thandie Newton, as the object of desire, is flatteringly photographed, though that can’t have been too hard. Hank Azaria well acts the part of the new boyfriend, yet can never be taken seriously as a rival. Dylan Moran, as the hero’s deadbeat best friend, rather steals the spotlight with his low-pressure dryness. (2008) — Duncan Shepherd
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