Shallow Hal (2001)
Grade: B-
Cast: Jack Black, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jason Alexander, Joe Viterelli, and Tony Robbins
Director(s): Bobby and Peter Farrelly
Rated PG-13 for language


"Shallow Hal" is, despite myself, one of the freshest and emotionally satisfying romantic comedies in a long time. This, coming from the directors who put semen in Cameron Diaz's hair. So, I'm surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. But, "Shallow hal" is not without it's faults.

"Shallow Hal" is a romantic fable about a man (Jack Black) who is made to see the beauty in all women no matter what size. After meeting self-help guru Tony Robbins (Tony Robbins) in an elevator and being put under the aforementioned spell, he meets the 300+ pound Rosemary (Gwyneth Paltrow), a kind-hearted, help everyone kind of person. They soon fall in love, to the dismay of his friend Mauricio (Jason Alexander) who has recently broken up with his supermodel girlfriend because her "index toe" was longer than her big toe.

Of course, he doesn't see the Rosemary that everyone else does, he sees the Gwyneth Paltrow that we usually see. But Paltrow pays close attention to the character in the way that she walks and in the way that she sits. Perhaps Paltrow is better than the material deserves. The film is also interesting in the way it depicts certain people. One "beautiful" woman is always portrayed as ugly, but Jack Black's neighbor (who is quite pretty) is never portrayed as being ugly...because beautiful people are beautiful inside and out.

The film does lag somewhat because the Farrelly brother's outrageous humor is almost non-existent. The chemistry between the leads cannot always overcome this, but even when there is humor, it's predictable. "Shallow Hal" does better what "Down To Earth" could not: It's funny seeing Gwyneth Paltrow breaking a chair because she's so heavy, but seeing Chris Rock dancing like a black guy (who has just inhabited the body of a rich old white man) is not funny.

Jack Black is almost too spastic for the film, but is very good in his quieter scenes. He exudes charm and personality in this, his first leading man role. Gwyneth Paltrow adds a depth and heart to the film. The chemistry is palpable and real, and you could actually believe that a women like Paltrow would go for a guy like Black.

"Shallow Hal" is a likeable, good-natured and smart film. It's a sterling example of how romantic comedies should be.


-Brian Jones, July 2002