6. David Schwimmer - Run Fatboy Run (2007)
David Schwimmer may be best remembered as the bumbling but lovable Ross Gellar in the TV sitcom, Friends, but in 2007 he proved that he had some ability behind the camera when he directed Run Fatboy, Run. Starring Simon Pegg and Thandie Newton, Run Fatboy Run tells the story of Dennis who having left his pregnant bride Libby (Newton) standing at the altar some years previously, has come to regret it, especially after he sees his ex-fiancée hook up with a rich, successful American financier (played rather straight-faced by Hank Azaria of The Simpsons fame). He decides to shape up before he ships out by running his first marathon. A story about growing up, taking responsibility and finally doing something with your life, the film is both sweet and comedic and chock full of great performances. Dylan Moran as Libby's cousin Gordon is a standout, while Pegg riffs off his Shaun of the Dead persona. And Schwimmer has definitely studied his British comedies and emulates them with considerable success here (aided by a likeable script co-penned by Pegg), so the whole enterprise comes off as Edgar Wright-lite fare; not a bad thing necessarily (I thoroughly enjoyed the film) though the film certainly has a "been there, seen that" vibe to it.