Shallow Hal

Synopsis

Shallow Hal (2001) is a romantic comedy film starring Gwyneth Paltrow. The movie follows Hal, who only dates beautiful women until a self-help guru hypnotizes him to see people's inner beauty. Hal meets Rosemary, who he sees as a slender woman despite her actual appearance. As he falls for her personality, he must navigate society's expectations and his newfound perspective on beauty. Shallow Hal explores themes of perception, self-acceptance, and the true meaning of beauty. The film delivers a heartwarming and comedic take on love and inner beauty, leaving audiences with a powerful message about embracing diversity and looking beyond appearances.

Cast

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  Jack Black

  Hal Larson

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  Gwyneth Paltrow

  Rosemary Shanahan

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  Jason Alexander

  Mauricio Wilson

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  Joe Viterelli

  Steve Shanahan

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  Rene Kirby

  Walt

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  Bruce McGill

  Reverend Larson

Reviews

Shallow Hal has received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the film's positive message on inner beauty and self-acceptance, others criticized its portrayal of physical appearance. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a rating of 49%, with the consensus that it "has some laughs, but its shallow portrayal of physical appearance ultimately undermines its positive message." IMDb scored the film 6.0/10, with viewers appreciating the performances of the cast but acknowledging the film's controversial premise. Metacritic rated Shallow Hal at 48/100, citing a divide in opinion among critics regarding its execution. Overall, the movie's unique concept and heartfelt moments have resonated with audiences, despite its polarizing views on beauty standards.