The curse of television stars’ crossover to the big screen is no secret. One that looms over long-running and well-established shows and one that looms infinitesimally over shows with cult-followings. Seinfeld’s ensemble of talent has suffered the curse for more than ten years and is perhaps the best example of the frightening lack of life after the small-screen.

With the phoenix of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld emerging from the ashes in recent years, its perhaps safe to say that battles must be chosen wisely – which brings us to Run Fatboy Run.

Starring Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton and Hank Azaria the film is a romantic comedy with a topical twist following the trials of a young mid-lifer stuck in that mid-life rut. Penned in part by Pegg, it is also a very British affair and director David Schwimmer gets it; the more subtle humour and the dry-wit is far from above Schwimmer who has proved himself a strong talent after ten years on Friends.

A classic battle for affection, the territory isn’t far from Schwimmer’s forte of 30-something angst but the ace in the hole is the casting. Pegg’s been here befoe as the angsty-teen in an adult vessel and his timing is as perfect as ever – aided no doubt by his own scripting – but it’s refreshing to find Thandie Newton in a groove a little more down-to-earth. Her big-budget roles have been a little less than engaging and here she shines as the object of utmost affection. Hank Azaria is far from out of place as the new kid on the block and plays the heel with gusto.

Schwimmer shows restraint with his direction but by no means relegates his debut to a point-and-shoot day at the studio fair. He knows when to shift-down and he knows when to use the fuel injections, which help elevate Run Fatboy from average genre work to sparkling comedy.

The curse of television stars’ crossover to the big screen is no secret. But Schwimmer doesn’t seem to have heard about it. Or care.

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