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Jack Black is the Hal of the title, a man whose less than commendable attitude to women is suddenly altered by the rather credibility-stretching plot device of a chance meeting with a hypnotist. Henceforth Hal is only capable of seeing the beauty within, a development that allows for much humour at the expense of the less fortunate in the name of some sort of social comment. From it all, however, emerges a quite touching love story with Paltrow's character Rosemary and proof that the Farrellys do have something of a sensitive side--no matter how deep it may be buried. The ending may be woefully predictable, but such is the deftness of touch with which the story is told, that it is still the one we are all rooting for. This is a sickly sweet film in the truest terms.
On the DVD: Shallow Hal comes with a plethora of extras on disc, including a series of mini-documentaries and TV specials, all of which plug the film but offer very little insight. That does come, however, from the handily subtitled directors' commentary, which demonstrates clearly the clash of cultures occurring in the movie. As well as commenting on the physical appearance of every female cast member who passes before the camera, the brothers also pay touching tribute to a colleague who passed away during the shoot and seem to know the name of every single extra and crew member who worked on the project, surely a rarity in these days of big budgets and faceless studios. There is also a large selection of deleted scenes, also with added commentary, a perfunctory music video from Shelby Lynne and a documentary on some of the technical aspects of the film. --Phil Udell
The plot, as you already know, is about a guy who is completely focussed on women's outward beauty, to the exclusion of all else. He considers himself a playboy, and can't understand why he can't keep a girlfriend. After a mental adjustment from a motivational guru, he begins to see each woman's inner (not outward) beauty. The joke is, he really SEES them as who they are inside... leading to his falling head over heels for a very large woman named Rosy, played by the ultra-slim Gwyneth Paltrow wearing a costume that must've weighed more than she does!
The difference in perception between what he sees and what really is forms the basis for the humour in the movie. Yes, there are "fat jokes" in the movie, but that's to be expected considering the plot. For instance, it wouldn't be nice to make fun of an overweight woman whose chair collapses beneath her at a diner, but when it's a girl who can't possibly weigh 120, the ludicrousness of it catches you off guard. That's the type of humour the movie trades in, so if you think you'll be offended, you probably shouldn't watch.
Overall, the movie's message is good: People deserve to be treated with respect no matter what they look like on the outside; it's what's inside that counts. And there are poignant moments, such as when Hal, in the Pediatric Unit of a hospital, realizes how shallow he really is.
I thought it was a good attempt; it definitely had its amusing moments, and a unique way of making its point.
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