By: debbie lynn elias
Obviously no one bothered to tell Bobby and Peter Farrelly to stick to what they do best in film making – insanity, stupidity and raunchy bathroom jokes. On the other hand, if some studio executive did try to impart some pearls of wisdom, the Farrelly boys were obviously using industrial strength earplugs as that can be the only reason “Shallow Hal” made it to the silver screen.
Jack Black stars as Hal, a slightly overweight, short, obnoxious, womanizer who has lived his life attempting to follow the advice given him as a boy by his dying minister father – never fall in love and only date “hot young tail,” i.e., girls who are physically beautiful and have big breasts. His father forgot to tell him that women such as this do not go out with guys who look, and act, like Hal. Adding fuel to Hal’s fire is his best friend Mauricio played by “Seinfeld” veteran Jason Alexander who takes his George Costanza persona to the Nth degree and gives new meaning to the terms annoying, irksome, pesky and irritating. Mauricio also believes in pursuing beauteous goddesses despite his powdered on hair (which attempts to cover a receding hairline), not to mention his short-sleeved Van Huesen cotton shirts that remind me of my dad (who does not cover his hair line).
While trapped in an elevator with self-help guru Tony Robbins (who gets genuine laughs by just being himself), and suffering a panic attack to boot, Hal is hypnotized by the ever-up, perpetually peppy Robbins who gives Hal the gift of being able to see only the inner beauty of people – male and female alike – rather than their physical attributes. Suddenly we see Hal surrounded by beautiful, flawless people. Outstanding-looking women are slipping him phone numbers and assaulting each other to dance with him when out on the town. Mauricio, of course, can’t figure out what Hal is doing with these “dogs” – especially one, Rosemary, a 300 pound nurse and Peace Corps worker.
An obviously heartfelt performance by Gwyneth Paltrow as Rosemary is one of the few saving graces of this film – actually the only saving grace. Despite her weight and appearance, Rosemary has an innocence and shyness with over-riding levels of confidence, kindness and humor that make her not only beautiful, but likeable. Paltrow does a superb job of bringing these traits to the character, endearing Rosemary not only to Hal, but the audience as well. Initially taken aback by Hal’s compliments, which she interprets as sarcastic commentary about her weight, Rosemary eventually realizes that Hal is, in fact, sincere – even to the point of lecturing her own father about Rosemary’s beauty and intelligence and his failure to appreciate and see it. Wow! Where did this guy from him and where can we find more like him? (Of course, one has to wonder, how long will the hypnosis last and what happens when it wears off.) Mauricio, however, is the one “person” (and I use the term loosely) that suspects “foul play” and is determined to get to the root of Hal’s “illness.”
Romance blossoms, jealousies set in, fat jokes and sight gags as old as the hills abound, but, as we all know, all good things must come to an end….or do they. Does Mauricio get to the root of the problem? Does Mauricio realize what a slime he is? Does Hal learn the truth about Rosemary and all those other beautiful people he sees? Does Hal leave Rosemary because she’s not “hot young tail?” Does it ever occur to Hal that he’s not a male version of “hot young tail?” Amazingly, the Farrellys do answer these and many other questions with what is a very predictable ending (but for one “tail end” surprise) to this very predictable film.
While one can’t help but laugh at the jokes and the inadequacies of the human form, as well as appreciate “the brain sees what the heart wants to fell” message the Farrellys attempt to bring us, donkeys, dragons and ogres are much more convincing, successful and entertaining in their delivery of the same message in “Shrek” – – – and they got to us first.
