Shallow Hal (US)
Click to read:
True Love Is Worth The Weight!
Certificate: PG-13
Running Time: 113 mins
Retail Price: $27.98
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
Directed by the guys who brought you There`s Something About Mary and Me, Myself & Irene, this heavyweight hit comedy is "heartwarming and hilarious - an unbeatable combination!" (WFLD-TV)
Jack Black is Shallow Hal, a superficial skirt chaser who, after a mind altering experience with a self-help guru, doesn`t realize that his gorgeous girlfriend (Gwyneth Paltrow) is actually a 300-pound not-so-hottie. Meanwhile, Hal`s playboy pal Mauricio (Jason Alexander) is determined to break the spell before someone gets… squashed! Packed with loads of laughs and non stop fun, it`s the biggest love story ever told!
Special Features:
Full-Length Audio Commentary by Directors Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly
11 Deleted Scenes with Optional Farrelly Brothers Commentary
HBO "Making Of" Special
Comedy Central`s Reel Comedy: Shallow Hal
Music Video: "Wall In Your Heart" by Shelby Lynne
"Seeing Through the Layers" Makeup Featurette
"In At The Deep End With Shallow Hal" Stunts Featurette
Original Theatrical Trailer
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 French
Subtitle Tracks:
English
CC: English
Directed By:
Peter Farrelly
Bobby Farrelly
Written By:
Bobby Farrelly
Peter Farrelly
Sean Moynihan
Starring:
Anthony Robbins
Bruce McGill
Rene Kirby
Joe Viterelli
Jason Alexander
Jack Black
Gwyneth Paltrow
Casting By:
Rick Montgomery
Soundtrack By:
Ivy
Sheryl Crow
Director of Photography:
Russell Carpenter
Editor:
Christopher Greenbury
Steve R. Moore
Costume Designer:
Pamela Withers
Production Designer:
Sydney J. Bartholomew Jr.
Producer:
Charles B. Wessler
Kris Meyer
Marc S. Fischer
Bobby Farrelly
Bradley Thomas
Sarah Lopez
Peter Farrelly
Mark Charpentier
Distributor:
Twentieth Century Fox
Your Opinions and Comments
I was expecting one of those stupid comedies when I rented this movie, but boy, was I wrong. This is actually a very sensitive drama (with some really nice gags, though) and with very good performances by Black and Paltrow.
The video transfer is very good. There are no compression signs and the picture is clear of any defects.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is good as well. The surrounds are used occasionally for some sound effects, but are mainly used for ambiance.
The menus are animated with sound.
The extras include a commentary by the 2 directors, 2 behind the scenes featurettes, 10 deleted scenes and a music video.
Bottom line - a nice movie with an important "love is only skin deep" message.
Enter Tony Robbins. Yes, *the* Tony Robbins. As a favor, he hypnotizes Hal into thinking that all of the girls that are beautiful inside are beautiful outside, and vice-versa. It`s at that point that the movie ceases to take the high ground. OK, it happens way before this, but this is definitely the defining moment.
With his eyes newly-opened to the proverbial light, Hal runs around with every inwardly beautiful girl he can find, convinced that they are outwardly beautiful as well. The message is very clear here that "overweight" = "ugly", and if a wonderful woman matched her inside and outside, the nice girls sure as heck wouldn`t weigh more than 100 pounds soaking wet.
Hal meets Rosemary, played in and out of a fat suit by Gwyneth Paltrow. He wines and dines her, getting to love her as a person. After this, we all know what`s coming, but we still won`t believe it could ever happen in real life. I`ll leave you to write the ending.
The fat jokes are plentiful, and we see several instances of furniture breaking under poor Rosemary. If this is to your liking, then you`re probably a good deal like Hal.