This was more a sad picture than a comedy, but, there is always that truth with comedy there is usually sadness behind the laughter.
It was a first time film as a director for Jeff Garlin. Mr. Garlin is the producer and co-star of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (click on)
If the word "Fat" could be used as a title this movie needed to be renamed. It is about a man whom has a chronic issue of obesity due to failed romatic endeavors in his life primarily because he is in a self defeating cycle of depression after disappointment. Needing to find love he enters into a realtionship with a nymphomaniac whom seeks more and more satiation of sexual nuances to satisfy her empty life. The relationship ends in disappointment when he realizes the woman of his dreams simply wanted to experience a sexual encounter with a 'fat man.' That reality again returns him to depression and the ice cream parlor. He is in a huge social cycle of failure exchanging immediate gradification for long term social satisfaction. It's one of the saddest films I have ever seen. Even his professional life as an actor takes a down turn and I expected him to look for the edge of a bridge someplace. The film exploits the concept of loser. I mean this man probably didn't have a voting card as a source of hope in his helplessness. He needs a friend to go to the health club with as his mother is an anchor to his social liberation.
The 'journey' he takes through the film has many funny twists and turns and for that it is worth seeing. There is no moral to this story simply a good laugh at some quirky realities too many Americans will find commonality.
I thought it was interesting and funny but the dialogue Mr. Garlin brought before and after the film in his director's debut was as enjoyable as the film.
