Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)

Directed by: Paul Downs Colaizzo | 104 minutes | comedy, drama | Actors: Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, Alice Lee, Micah Stock, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Lil Rel Howery, Kate Arrington, Beth Malone, Esteban Benito, Nadia Quinn, Patch Darragh, Jennifer Dundas

The New York City Marathon is one of America’s largest running events. Around 50,000 people participate and the number of runners who finish is very high. Brittany Runs a Marathon is about the obese Brittany, who undergoes a remarkable transformation when she decides to take up running. Writer/debut director Paul Downs Calaizzo based the film on the story of his girlfriend and former roommate Brittany O’Neill.

28-year-old Brittany (Jillian Bell) lives in New York. With her friend and roommate Gretchen (Alice Lee), she makes the nightclubs unsafe. During the day she works in a small theater, if she manages not to oversleep. Brittany is happy at first sight. She is called ‘the funniest woman I know’ by an acquaintance, but in fact everything is wrong with her life. Gretchen only hears herself and cares more about her social media followers than Brittany; Brittany’s career is not going the way she wants it and she is also overweight. On a visit to a “cheap, nice” doctor, whom she asks for Adderall because she supposedly suffers from concentration problems, he confronts her about her unhealthy BMI and blood pressure. He advises her to start dieting and exercise more. Initially, Brittany dismisses this good advice, but she decides to visit a gym anyway. Horrified by even the lowest subscription rate ($129 per month!) she opts for the free workout: running.

The elderly, almost divorced Catherine (Michaela Watkins) lives in the same building as Brittany and Gretchen. She poses as a savior for Brittany. As a fanatic runner, she knows exactly what the young woman needs, but she also supports her mentally. Brittany also befriends Seth (Micah Stock), who is in much the same bad shape as the story’s heroine. When Brittany makes significant progress through her running regimen, she suggests they join the New York City Marathon. Determined to participate, her physical fitness is suddenly less of an obstacle than the price tag. Brittany has to look for a lucrative job and finds it as a house & dog sitter. Here she meets the insufferable Jern (Utkarsh Ambudkar), who takes care of the dog at night, and is immediately moved into the dog owner’s house.

‘Brittany Runs a Marathon’ follows the beaten track of the genre, but is saved by the excellently written characters and strong cast. Jillian Bell is fantastic, both in the comedic and more dramatic scenes. Because of course there is a deeper cause for her problems. Because the actress succeeds so well in making you empathize with this character, the inevitable setbacks and missteps hit you all the more, but you also get that feeling of euphoria when she realizes that she, Brittany, is really participating in the marathon. The supporting actors are all charming and engaging, or bloody irritating if the screenplay demands it. Not innovative, but very fun, inspiring and satisfying.