First off, I wouldn't say that this is an amazing film. It's a very good one, though, with a few rough edges. This could have easily been an 8 or even 9 star film if some adjustments were made to the third act.
I'm guessing, like with Disney's The Kid, this film got poor ratings at the time because the audience was expecting rip-roaring laughter. Although Shallow Hal has some funny moments, it's definitely in the romantic comedy genre and leans way more into the former than the latter. I can see how someone seeing the trailer would have expected something more overtly funny. At the same time, I can see how a fan of romcoms would have passed it over given that it doesn't star a Hugh Jackman or a Hugh Grant type (or any hughs, it seems) that one might expect to be in such a flick. Shallow Hal is definitely a case of the audience being primed for the wrong movie.
In short, Shallow Hal is about a guy (named Hal) who, like many impressionable young men, got this idea in his head that he must be with women of stunning, conventional beauty. The beginning of the film does explain why he developed this attitude. He and his buddy (played by Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame) frequent night clubs in pursuit of gorgeous ladies, and are clearly accustomed to rejection after rejection. Hal couldn't even score a second date with his attractive neighbor across the hall. In a stroke of fate, Hal meets Tony Robbins, the motivational speaker, who hypnotizes him into seeing people for their inner beauty. Suddenly, Hal is having the time of his life with beautiful women, not just at the dance club but everywhere. What he doesn't know at first is that these women, whom he thinks are conventionally attractive, are "ugly" in some way. This leads to him meeting a morbidly obese woman with whom he falls in love with. The conflict in the movie begins when Hal's friend realizes he is hypnotized.
Shallow Hal is not a complicated movie. In fact, it's not hard to predict where the plot is going. Nevertheless, it's a unique depiction of the lesson that "what's inside counts most", and it's compelling enough that the audience cares about what happens next. Jack Black is surprisingly endearing in this. I haven't seen every Jack Black film, but for some reason I expected Jack Black to be more of a goofball and less sympathetic. Hal is a quirky guy, but he's sincere and more than just one note. Rather than make us hate-love Hal, which another film maker could have done for easy laughs, the Farrelly Bros made the smart move by letting Hal be a real person while giving Jack Black the room to add his own personal touch. Even if you aren't a fan of Jack Black, I think you'll have to admit that this movie shows that Jack Black is a competent actor who can do more than just funny.
I honestly think Shallow Hal should be required watching for young men, even if they don't get it at first. It's one of those films where the lesson is to touch grass and realize that life is about more than the superficial, and it's done in both a charming and convincing way. At no point are we made to feel like Hal is making a mistake. At least that's how I felt. Many people, both men and women, think they only deserve "hotties", failing to understand that people have more to offer than just their looks, and that someone can like something about someone that others think is "ugly". By seeing the inner beauty of others, he not only enjoys his life more but even becomes a better person as a result.
There's a few reasons why I didn't give this movie a star or two more.
While this film made an effort to be sweet and charming, there's a few scenes where they stuck in a bit of slapstick having to do with Rosemary and her weight. Although they seem to help segue from one scene to another, they stick out like a sore thumb and somewhat undermine the rest of the film. The film would have been better without these moments as they were out of place and unnecessary. It's as if the filmmakers were worried that people weren't going to laugh enough and stuck them in.
The third act of the film feels unfinished. The emotional climax is well set up, but its execution leaves something to be desired. It should have been more impactful. When the audience should have left feeling heartbroken for Hal and for Rosemary, they're left being a little sad. What I'm saying is the heart strings could have been tugged on a little more. They really missed an opportunity for some exceptional emotion, and it's primarily due to a key moment between Hal and Rosemary being outright missing from the script, in my opinion.
It would have also been nice if Jason Alexander's character, Mauricio, had been given a chance to absorb the same lesson Hal learned. We do get a hint that things might change for him, but if the movie had more time, we might have seen a glimpse of something more tangible.
Shallow Hal is definitely worth a watch. Go into it expecting something like an extended Twilight Zone episode but with more of an It's A Wonderful Life vibe to it. Don't expect to be constantly laughing. Appreciate for trying to have substance, rather than being shallow!
I'm guessing, like with Disney's The Kid, this film got poor ratings at the time because the audience was expecting rip-roaring laughter. Although Shallow Hal has some funny moments, it's definitely in the romantic comedy genre and leans way more into the former than the latter. I can see how someone seeing the trailer would have expected something more overtly funny. At the same time, I can see how a fan of romcoms would have passed it over given that it doesn't star a Hugh Jackman or a Hugh Grant type (or any hughs, it seems) that one might expect to be in such a flick. Shallow Hal is definitely a case of the audience being primed for the wrong movie.
In short, Shallow Hal is about a guy (named Hal) who, like many impressionable young men, got this idea in his head that he must be with women of stunning, conventional beauty. The beginning of the film does explain why he developed this attitude. He and his buddy (played by Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame) frequent night clubs in pursuit of gorgeous ladies, and are clearly accustomed to rejection after rejection. Hal couldn't even score a second date with his attractive neighbor across the hall. In a stroke of fate, Hal meets Tony Robbins, the motivational speaker, who hypnotizes him into seeing people for their inner beauty. Suddenly, Hal is having the time of his life with beautiful women, not just at the dance club but everywhere. What he doesn't know at first is that these women, whom he thinks are conventionally attractive, are "ugly" in some way. This leads to him meeting a morbidly obese woman with whom he falls in love with. The conflict in the movie begins when Hal's friend realizes he is hypnotized.
Shallow Hal is not a complicated movie. In fact, it's not hard to predict where the plot is going. Nevertheless, it's a unique depiction of the lesson that "what's inside counts most", and it's compelling enough that the audience cares about what happens next. Jack Black is surprisingly endearing in this. I haven't seen every Jack Black film, but for some reason I expected Jack Black to be more of a goofball and less sympathetic. Hal is a quirky guy, but he's sincere and more than just one note. Rather than make us hate-love Hal, which another film maker could have done for easy laughs, the Farrelly Bros made the smart move by letting Hal be a real person while giving Jack Black the room to add his own personal touch. Even if you aren't a fan of Jack Black, I think you'll have to admit that this movie shows that Jack Black is a competent actor who can do more than just funny.
I honestly think Shallow Hal should be required watching for young men, even if they don't get it at first. It's one of those films where the lesson is to touch grass and realize that life is about more than the superficial, and it's done in both a charming and convincing way. At no point are we made to feel like Hal is making a mistake. At least that's how I felt. Many people, both men and women, think they only deserve "hotties", failing to understand that people have more to offer than just their looks, and that someone can like something about someone that others think is "ugly". By seeing the inner beauty of others, he not only enjoys his life more but even becomes a better person as a result.
There's a few reasons why I didn't give this movie a star or two more.
While this film made an effort to be sweet and charming, there's a few scenes where they stuck in a bit of slapstick having to do with Rosemary and her weight. Although they seem to help segue from one scene to another, they stick out like a sore thumb and somewhat undermine the rest of the film. The film would have been better without these moments as they were out of place and unnecessary. It's as if the filmmakers were worried that people weren't going to laugh enough and stuck them in.
The third act of the film feels unfinished. The emotional climax is well set up, but its execution leaves something to be desired. It should have been more impactful. When the audience should have left feeling heartbroken for Hal and for Rosemary, they're left being a little sad. What I'm saying is the heart strings could have been tugged on a little more. They really missed an opportunity for some exceptional emotion, and it's primarily due to a key moment between Hal and Rosemary being outright missing from the script, in my opinion.
It would have also been nice if Jason Alexander's character, Mauricio, had been given a chance to absorb the same lesson Hal learned. We do get a hint that things might change for him, but if the movie had more time, we might have seen a glimpse of something more tangible.
Shallow Hal is definitely worth a watch. Go into it expecting something like an extended Twilight Zone episode but with more of an It's A Wonderful Life vibe to it. Don't expect to be constantly laughing. Appreciate for trying to have substance, rather than being shallow!