Customer Reviews

Shallow Hal [2002] [DVD]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

..... a film that proves looks arent everything. even though it's done in a comedy way, it still is giving that message. (even though i think some people are more concerned about the quality of comedy rather than the actual meaning of the film).

The bit where Hal goes back to the hospital and sees the little girl 'Kadence' with her burns is a very touching scene. and i loved the guy who walks on his hands. :)

I loved Jack Black too, i thought he was really funny. And Gwyneth Paltrow was brill as the self - concious large Rosemary.

A very good, funny and touching film. a must see!

Well, all right, this movie isn't falling-down hilariously funny, but it's a far cry above the gross-out "comedies" that are popular at the moment. All too often a movie that's meant to be funny turns out merely crude and vulgar. I, for one, was pleasantly surprised by Shallow Hal.

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.

This is a great movie, very funny indeed. Gwyneth Paltrow is brilliant in here but Jack Black is SUPERB in here, the RIGHT actor for this type of film! He is just funny from start to finish! Go and buy this film!

I loved this film! A lot of new comedies do not make me laugh as much as Shallow Hal did. I have already watched this film twice in the past 2 months because it just cheers me up!
Highly recommended!

Although it doesnt have the most intellectual plots (mans dying wishes for his son to only date women of bodily perfection) but as with all of Black's films your guaranteed a few laughs. Get it now!

This film by the Farrelly brothers is one of their better ones. Though they have not shaken off their lowbrow sense of humor, they have managed to better incorporate it into their film, so as not to lose all credibility. As a result, they have put together a pretty decent and unusual romantic comedy.

The plot revolves around our not so good looking leading man, Hal Larson (Jack Black) who, due a traumatic scene with his dying father when only nine years old, is fixated on dating only women who have super model looks. Pumped up by his equally not so good looking, best friend, Mauricio Wilson (Jason Alexander), Hal is hellbent on dating only good looking women no matter how stupid, mean, or self absorbed they may be. It is no wonder that he has yet to find the woman of his dreams.

A run in with motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, changes Hal's life, when Tony places a subliminal message into Hal's subconscious, causing him to see only the person's inner beauty. When his path crosses that of the morbidly obese, but warm and kindly Rosemary Shanahan (Gwyneth Paltrow), it is love at first sight for him. He does not see a fat girl but a beautiful and luminous Gwyneth Paltrow.

Hal continues to see only the inner beauty of all those whom he meets, until he is brought back to a jarring reality by his erstwhile best friend. What happens when faced with the reality of having a morbidly obese girlfriend is a trial and tribulation that only Hal can resolve. Will true love win out? Watch the movie and find out.

Gwyneth Paltrow is sensational as Rosemary. Her delivery is affecting, as she comes across as sensitive, sweet, and hesitant, as well as somewhat lacking in confidence. She is absolutely incandescent in the role. She effectively plays the part of Rosemary, as if she were a young woman unused to the attentions of a suitor. She is also quite funny at times, as Hal's comedic foil.

Jason Black, as Hal, is also funny, though somewhat wooden. He is obviously a comedian, rather than an actor. Still, he manages to play his part effectively, overall, though I found him to be somewhat uncharismatic. Jason Alexander plays his role a bit too over the top, almost manic, and ends up being more obnoxious, rather than funny. In the end, however, when his own personal secret comes out, it really is a hilarious moment in true Farrelly brothers fashion. The rest of the supporting cast is very good and effectively contribute to the comedic efforts of the film.

While this film emphasizes that inner beauty is what is important, it does so, however, while still making fun of fat people at their expense. When Gwyneth Paltrow asks for a slice of cake and proceeds to cut off a third of the cake for herself, the film is continuing to propogate stereotypic notions of fat people. A number of sight gags further serve to underscore this premise. This is, however, a Farrely brothers comedy, after all, and to be expected.

I have seen this film multiple times but bought it to watch again - good jokes and a few unexpected twists. Nothing too sad or alarming. Suitable for the family I would say, and not a bad message with it. Very enjoyable.

Shallow Hal is a great story about love, beauty and appearence. Hal (jack black) is a guy who judges women by their appearence. One day he gets trapped in an lift with a self help guru who hypnotiseses him altering Hals perseption of women. He meets women who he sees as beautiful super-models but reali they are ugly. He meets Rosemary,(gwyneth paltrow) she is funni, smart, nice and overweight. Generally the story is a comedy but you cant help feeling sorry for rosie. The story follows Rosie and Hal as they date, through Hals eyes she is beautiful but to everyone else she is an overweight woman and people dont give her a chance. Hal finds himself in love with Rosie. But his best friend breaks the spell off, Hal avoides having to see Rosie until one day he realises he is already in love with her.
Shallow Hal is a great film with a fantastic story line and fantastic acting from Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. It'l have you crying with Laughter and smiling from the heart warming tale. 'Beauty is on the inside' is the message from this story and it shows it well!

What you get out of "Shallow Hal" probably depends on how you watch it. You could just coast along, brain in neutral, and enjoy the gags and comic situations. On this level, it's a very successful movie - hardly a minute goes by without something funny happening, or (from time to time) a moment of pathos.

Or you could pause a moment to absorb the moral message - never mind physical appearances, concentrate on the beauty (or ugliness) within. That's more or less valid, up to a point, and lets you reinforce your amusement with satisfying feelings of moral superiority. Just the thought that a beautiful girl (and there are plenty of them in "Shallow Hal") could somehow be lurking inside someone who looks plain at first sight, might be enough to stimulate a new interest in wallflowers.

Most fun, though, for those who are that way inclined, is to analyze the message to death! You get all the scope in the world. For instance, how come Hal sees dozens of "inward beauties", but only one physically good-looking woman who is an "inward hag"? And how come he seems to go on seeing his friends just as they always were? And why doesn't he suspect something when, as the girl of his dreams approaches him stark naked and playfully throws her panties at his head, what he catches is something about the size of a bell tent? Come to that, how does he even survive the ensuing grapple?

OK, a little of that sort of thinking goes a long way, and a lot of you are probably annoyed with me already. So, to close the loop, here's one last question that set me meditating for quite a while - if Hal can't help seeing people as they really are, is there any merit in his behaviour? Intuitively no, but after all couldn't virtue be just the natural result of seeing people clearly?..

Shallow Hal, although a typical American feel good film, helps the viewer see how different things could be if we remove judgement based on appearances and get to know someone for who they are. It's what's on the inside that counts!