Shallow Hal
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Movie Reviews of Shallow Hal
Movie Review: Surprisingly Insightful Film
Summary: 5 Stars
Without question, a lot of people are not going to like this film and are going to be put off by it. On the other hand, it's going to come as a pleasant surprise to others. The former group will be those who came to this movie hoping to find a title character to whom they can relate, thus enabling them to go on to bask in the gratification of cheap shot humor and infantile, adolescent perspectives that no doubt served them well throughout high school, and which, unfortunately, like a caterpillar unable to evolve because of some impediment of nature, they have been incapable of shedding as adults. The latter, probably after some initial resistance-- inasmuch as the Farrelly Brothers seem to be tackling a rather sensitive subject this time out (and `sensitivity' is not necessarily their milieu)-- will for whatever reason find their way to this film, only to discover that the Farrelly Brothers actually have something worthwhile to say, and moreover, that they say it extremely well. `Shallow Hal,' written by Sean Moynihan, Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly, and directed by the Farrellys, uses the parlance of our times, as it were, to examine the old axiom that true beauty is, indeed, more than skin deep. It's a universal message, it's important, and it's delivered by the Farrellys with humor and poignancy, and in a way that is altogether effective.In no small part due to some deathbed `pearls of wisdom' offered to young Hal (Sasha Neulinger) by his father, the Reverend Larson (Bruce McGill), Hal carries with him into adulthood a rather, well...'shallow' sense of what constitutes perfection, especially when it comes to the opposite, fairer sex. And, with a good friend, Mauricio (Jason Alexander), constantly reinforcing (with his own shallow perspectives) those put forth by the late Reverend Larson, it has not placed Hal (Jack Black) in good stead with the women he encounters. Relationships elude him like the proverbial sands through the hourglass, and he can't figure out why.
Then one auspicious day, on the heels of yet another rejection, Hal gets stuck in an elevator with none other than writer and motivational speaker Tony Robbins, the `Mahatma of Motivation.' And, after hearing the sad story of Hal's misfortunes with women, Robbins uses his powers and wisdom to do something about it. He gives Hal a gift: The ability to see the true beauty that resides within another person, beyond the often deceptive physical attributes that are in reality no more than a facade masking who that person really is. For the first time in his life, Hal's eyes are opened, and it isn't long before he meets the most beautiful woman in the world, Rosemary Shanahan (Gwyneth Paltrow), with whom he quickly falls desperately, deeply and passionately in love. At last, he's happy; it's like a fairy tale. The question is, can this particular fairy tale possibly have a happy ending?
The Farrelly Brothers, known for their cutting edge, over-the-top visually graphic gross-out humor in such films as `There's Something About Mary' and `Me, Myself and Irene,' have reined it in drastically in this one, and to great effect. To be sure, that trademark Farrelly `touch' is present (there is some bathroom/locker room humor), but in this case, it serves a purpose beyond shock value entertainment. If you've seen the trailers for this film, or any clips from it, you get the idea that this is typical Farrelly Brothers fare and that there is no way that the characters involved are going to possibly emerge unscathed from it. But what you see in those previews is basically the elements the Farrellys use to define their parameters and set up the message they want to deliver. And it works beautifully. They succeed in establishing Hal's misguided perspectives, as well as those of Mauricio, and from that base springs the emotional connection, empathy and compassion generated by the rest of the film as the story unfolds.
What we find, is that Hal isn't such a bad guy after all, once his eyes are opened; that a new perspective and changed attitude has served to reveal that better part of himself, as well as others. And that, perhaps, says something about all of us. Upon reflection, if it is possible to perceive the real beauty of another, maybe it works both ways. As this film so succinctly points out, we, as a society, have been so programmed by peer pressure, the media and all of these inconsequential external forces, to equate `beauty' with all of the wrong things, that we all suffer for it, in one way or another. And the message here is so clear: What a wonderful world it would be, if only we could all see past the meaningless things and just see one another for who and what we really are. Like a sage old man on a mountain, the Farrellys have crafted and delivered a layer cake, chocolate sundae of a movie; there's plenty of whipped cream on the top, but once you work your way to the center it's even better. It's their way of using contemporary trappings to point the way to the divine mercies and offering a taste of the rewards that go to those who are wise enough to discern their meaning, and to act upon it. Unfortunately, the `Shallow Hals' in the audience are going to get lost along the way, and it will be their loss. And that certainly is not a criticism; it's just the way it is.
As Rosemary, Gwyneth Paltrow will absolutely win your heart. It's a performance that evokes empathy and compassion to the point that you desperately do NOT want to see this girl hurt in any way. And Jack Black gives a performance that, quite frankly, is going to surprise a lot of people; there is more to him than meets the eye. In fact, that about sums up `Shallow Hal'-- a surprisingly insightful and inspirational film. 9/10.
Movie Review: Shallow Hal
Summary: 5 Stars
I would like to talk toi you about what my impression was in regard to this movie. This movie talks about how many people in our actual society only look at outside qualities in each person when they try to find the perfect woman or man, they only search the outside beauty. They don not think about inside qualities that evyone has, like feelings, thoughts, intelligence, and honesty, which are the most important values in each human being. In addition, they only want to have a beatiful woman or a beautiful man.In this movie you can see good and bad points. For instance, I can tell you that the most important point in this world is not the external beauty, rather the internal beauty just as Shall saw in Rossmery. Also, I can tell you one bad point that the human beings still have, it is to look at the physical aspect when we need to find our perfect partner.
In this movie Shall is trying to find his perfect woman who must be beautiful for outside, but he has not ever thought in the inside world that everyone has. On day, he found an important businessman who hypnotized him. At this time, Shall could see the inside beauty in everybody reflected in their outside body. Next, he found his perfect woman called Rossmery. In the begining she could not understand him because she knew that she was not a beautiful woman, but she decided to accept him. Then, they shared many things together, and they fell in love with eache other.
Then Shall's friend who could see the reality went to the businessman's office and he explaned to him what has happened with Shall. After that, Shall lost the hypnotism and he was able to see the reality. Then he did no talk to Rossmery and he turned her down. finally, he recognized his feeling and love for her, and ge decided to accept her just as she is. He searched her and they they lived happily ever after.
I think this movie has several topics very controversies inside our actual society with for instance, fatness, ugliness, beauty and inteligence. Also I think that our society is influenced for by different means of communications, which sell us the stereotype about the perfect woman or perfect man. In consequence, many people only search the outside beauty without looking inside each person.
I like this movie because it show that ouside beauty can be the reflection of our inside world. In conclusion, I think that the most important is what you believe about yourself because these thoughts are shown in your outside body.
Movie Review: Funny film, touching message and great deleted scenes
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of those films that doesn't seem to really fit a genre. Is it a romantic comedy, a typical Farrelly Brothers film (like Something About Mary) filled with crass humor, or a drama with a message? I am not sure, but I do know it caused some controversy upon its release for its depiction of obesity. That and it is actually pretty sweet and very funny.
The story involves Hal (Jack Black) who is hopelessly shallow, and seeks only women way out of his league, and for all the wrong reasons. His best friend (Jason Alexander - who plays a character even more shallow than George Castanza) and him are turned down, rejected and dismissed by nearly every woman they try and meet. He meets and gets coaching from Tony Robbins in an elevator, and all of a sudden he is irresistible. The only catch is that he sees only "inner beauty" now. He meets Rosemary (Gwyneth Paltrow) and falls in love. His friends see Rosemary as she is, quite overweight, while Hal sees her as a slender beautiful model.
The controversy comes from how beauty is depicted. While some may be offended by the reality of how our society treats those who are not as attractive, or may be disabled, I didn't feel the subject was treated poorly here. In fact I was quite surprised, as I expected something much more crass and worthy of the controversy. For those who may have taken a critical view of the subject treatment, I think that view of this film is ironically - shallow. Behind the funny jokes, and great comedy, is a message of what beauty really is. There are some great scenes in here that are actually quite subtle. Hal not only sees "inner beauty", but the opposite as well. Further it applies to everyone new he meets, including some very special kids in the hospital.
The DVD presentation is great. I found the deleted scenes to be some of the best material. In fact, they are so good I would rather see a "directors cut" with them included as opposed to watching them separately. The rest of the bonus materials, including the process they used to put a "fat suit" on Gwyneth, were fascinating. At one point she walked around the Hotel lobby in the make-up and experienced how she was treated as someone very overweight, which for her was quite a shock.
Overall, I think the subject was treated well, and the result is a funny movie that has a good message to look beyond appearances to the beauty inside.
Movie Review: They finally got it right.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am impressed. I didn't expect to be, and after the first few minutes of the film thought I wouldn't be, but I was. One of my chief complaints about Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which has a similar premise, was that, even though Beauty obviously didn't care about the Beast's appearance once he was less irritable and defensive, the makers of the film felt obligated to "reward" Beauty--or maybe Beast--by turning him into a handsome prince. I felt that the makers of the film had missed the point miserably and failed the viewers--many of whom were little people learning important lessons--terribly. To Beauty the Beast WAS a handsome prince. How he appeared to the rest of us was irrelevant. He didn't need to become somebody else for her to appreciate him, and our opinions shouldn't have matter. Good news: Shallow Hal's makers got the point.
That point is, as the old paradigm goes, "Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder," and the world would be a much better place if we could all see the inner beauty of those around us. Self help and self esteem guru Anthony Robbins makes a personal appearance in the film, and his totally rational and relaxed style of dealing with the neurotic Hal made me want to sign right up for one of his courses (in fact, I put one of his books on my wish list)! By changing Hal's perspective on other people, Robbins caused him to approach them in positive, validating ways that brought a sense of appreciation into their lives and a sense of happiness and fulfilment into his own. So thoroughly is he changed by the experience, that even when the post hypnotic suggestion is reversed, he finds it difficult to return to the shallow person he was.
I was waiting for it, but far from forgetting the paradigm, the film makers didn't simply morph Rosemary into a beautiful woman at the end to "reward" the hero for his new found depth. It was okay for her to be beautiful because he loved her. I think the most significant lines in the film are uttered by Robbins in response to Hal's friend Mauricio when he accuses the psychologist of "brainwashing" Hal. Robbins responds, you don't think you're brainwashed too? And he points out the subtle ways in which the media, the corporate world and peer pressure brainwash all of us into valuing only the superficial, often making ourselves miserable in the bargain. Thank you Shallow Hal.
I thought this was a wonderful film.
Movie Review: A World Full Of Stereotypes And Shallow People
Summary: 5 Stars
Unfourtanly this sometimes cold and cruel world has alot of shallow poeple and media telling us what is goodlooking and what isnt!Alot of people judge right away by a persons appearence instead of looking on the inside.It just goes to show you that some poeple are really ugly on the inside even though there appearence may be alot different.Poeple are very shallow about everything from clothes to appearences and that what this movie shows,how reality is and how mean poeple can really get!Plot
A very shallow guy named Hal is someone who wants a girl but only looks for apearences.After getting stuck on a elevator with some famous guy whos smart and has a lot of knowledge and common sense wierd things happen.The famous guy does something to Hal that makes him see the inside beauty(the inner apearence not the outer)!After seeing what seems to him a supermodel type of girl and gets a date with her,he gains alot of confidence to ask others out.His other extremly SHALLOW other friend looks at the girls a little different and doesnt understand why his Used to be shallow friend would date people that he would never before.After seeing a girl that in Hals eyes is skinny and everything he hoped for sort of thing but atually is the complete opposite,they start going out.Alot of wierd things happen and misunderstandings appear because she sees one person and he sees the inner.When everything is going perfect for Hal his SHALLOW friend cant stand him acting they way he is and goes back to the famous guy to see how to change him back.After changing him back the way he used look at poeple he sees the way his girlfriend looks on the outside!Though the outside apearences have comeback his Shallowness has not,and he doesnt care about apearences and learns to love someone on the inside, that anyone can be beautiful even if they dont have supermodel figures.
This movie does have some mean jokes on overwieght poeple though like how Hals girlfriend bends a chair out of steel and then breaks a booth at a restruant those jokes arent funny.There are also jokes on how people make fun of poeple by the way they look,but unfourtanly that how some people are.Overall this movie does have a spectacular message,and to stop media from sterotyping whats beautiful!