Simon Pegg, star of such greats as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, is about to get married. As he lies in his room getting ready - or panicking as is more accurate - his attention turns to the window and he runs.

5 years later, as he runs after a cross-dresser who is stealing from the boutique that he works at as a security guard he proves just how unfit he is. His son, now 5 years old, is a big fan of Lord of the Rings and wants to go to the theatre to see the live show but following a mix up with the tickets and an incident when he tries to purchase some, he ends up getting arrested.

To make matters worse, his ex is now dating an American guy (Hank Azaria - the voice of half The Simpsons characters) and they seem to be quite happy. Suddenly he wants to win her back and when he learns that this bloke runs marathons he volunteers himself to run one too.

So the training begins, but with his best friend acting as coach - mainly due to a wager he has placed - and his landlord threatening to evict him if he loses - which it is almost certain that he will. There's a long way to run in a very short time.

I'm constantly amazed as to how Simon Pegg manages to get on board so many of the best film ideas. This one, directed by ex-friends star David Schwimmer, is a take on the now classic romantic comedy cliche. It is not as off-the-wall as some of the other Pegg greats but still manages to have that same unmistakable style about it.

I don't know what else to say about it really, it steps over the good-taste barrier a few times, but only very slightly compared to other films I've seen recently. It always saddens me to hear a 5 year old swear, something that raises a chuckle without fail in the cinema from most people, so I see why they do it - I just don't really like it.

But all in all this was a good, funny, original film that I would happily watch again and would probably buy if I had the money.

see also:
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, Bruce Almighty, Dinner for Shmucks, Land of the Lost

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