Shallow Hal
Encyclopedia
Shallow Hal is a 2001 romantic comedy film starring Gwyneth Paltrow
, Jack Black
, and Jason Alexander
. It was directed by the Farrelly Brothers and filmed in and around Charlotte, North Carolina
as well as Sterling
and Princeton, Massachusetts
at Wachusett Mountain
.
) is a superficial man whose fixation on the physical beauty of women gets in the way of seeing them for their inner beauty. Hal and his equally shallow friend, Mauricio Wilson (Jason Alexander
), spend their nights obnoxiously hitting on beautiful women at nightclubs.
By a twist of fate, Hal becomes trapped in an elevator with famous American life coach Tony Robbins
, who after talking with Hal, hypnotizes
him into only seeing physical manifestations of a person's inner beauty. Hal later meets and is smitten by Rosemary Shanahan (Gwyneth Paltrow
), the daughter of Steve Shanahan (Joe Viterelli
), the President of Hal's company. Rosemary is morbidly obese but because of her kind and generous personality, she appears to Hal as slender and beautiful. Used to being overlooked by men due to her appearance, Rosemary initially interprets Hal’s interest in her as mocking, but begins to date Hal when she realizes his feelings for her are authentic.
Mauricio becomes increasingly worried about Hal's new taste in women and convinces Robbins give him the trigger phrase to undo the hypnosis. Mauricio phones Hal while Hal is on a date with Rosemary and says the trigger phrase, "Shallow Hal wants a gal", which serves to break Hal's hypnosis. Mauricio confesses to Hal the truth about Robbins' hypnotherapy
, but Hal does not believe this until he runs into Katrina, (Brooke Burns
), a woman who initially appeared beautiful to him due to her inner beauty, but whom Hal now sees in her normal, unattractive state.
Hal begins to avoid Rosemary, who in turn becomes melancholic without him around. Distraught that he has not been seeing the "real" Rosemary, Hal accepts a dinner invitation from his neighbour, Jill, with whom he once had an unsuccessful date. The two dine together and Jill tells Hal that she has observed him overcoming his shallow nature and that she is interested in dating him now.
However, Hal realizes that his true feelings are for Rosemary, who has coincidentally arrived at the same restaurant with her family and sees Hal and Jill seated together. Assuming the worst, Rosemary leaves in tears. Not recognizing Rosemary, Hal walks right by her on his way to the pay phone, ironically to reaffirm her of his feelings. Confused and distraught, Rosemary calls Hal a "psycho" over the phone and effectively breaks up with him.
Five days later, Hal is chastised by Mr. Shanahan at work, who coldly informs him that Rosemary’s Peace Corps
partner wants to be in a relationship with her again. Hal attempts to find Rosemary, but instead encounters a young patient named Cadence at the hospital where Rosemary volunteers. Previously, due to Robbins’ hypnosis, Hal saw Cadence as a perfect little girl; he now sees that there are severe burns all over Cadence’s face. Hal then realizes that he doesn’t need hypnosis to see people’s true inner beauty.
Rosemary decides to leave the country to rejoin the Peace Corps. Hal, during his search for Rosemary, finds that Mauricio had his own reason for stopping Hal's hypnosis: He has a vestigial tail, his shame over which has prevented him from ever getting close to a woman. Mauricio confesses that he was jealous of Hal's happiness and is afraid of starting relationships with women.
Hal makes up with Mauricio and decides to try to reconcile with Rosemary. Hal arrives at the Shanahan mansion, where a bon voyage
party for Rosemary is underway. Rosemary initially rebuffs Hal's presence, but then accepts his apology when Hal professes his love for her. Rosemary then informs Hal that she is still leaving on her Peace Corps mission, at which point Hal says that he is coming too; having just been sworn-in to the Peace Corps.
Hal and Rosemary reconcile and are cheered by the crowd as they kiss. He tries to carry her bridal-style to the car, but finds he can’t lift her, so she carries him to the car instead. As they drive off, Mauricio meets a woman who loves dogs and the two walk off together as he wags his "tail".
Gwyneth Paltrow
played both roles, slim and fat Rosemary and had to wear a specially designed 25 pound fatsuit
and encapsulating prosthetic make-up. The make-up effects for Rosemary, Rosemary's mother, and all of the secondary characters was designed and created by Tony Gardner
and his company Alterian, Inc.
, With a budget of $40,000,000, Shallow Hal grossed $70,703,043 in the United States and $70,230,657 internationally for a total of $141,069,860 worldwide.
Critical reviews were mixed. Review website Rotten Tomatoes
gives the film a score of 51% based on 121 reviews, and an average rating of 5.4/10, with the consensus: "While surprisingly sweeter and warm-hearted than previous Farrelly outings, Shallow Hal is also less funny and more bland.". Roger Ebert
gave a positive response of three-out-of-four stars, writing, "Shallow Hal is often very funny, but it is also surprisingly moving at times."
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress and singer. She made her acting debut on stage in 1990 and started appearing in films in 1991. After appearing in several films throughout the decade, Paltrow gained early notice for her work in films such as Se7en and Emma...
, Jack Black
Jack Black
Jack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
, and Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander
Jay Scott Greenspan , better known by his professional name of Jason Alexander, is an American actor, writer, comedian, television director, producer, and singer. He is best known for his role as George Costanza on the television series Seinfeld, appearing in the sitcom from 1989 to 1998...
. It was directed by the Farrelly Brothers and filmed in and around Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
as well as Sterling
Sterling, Massachusetts
Sterling is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 7,808 at the 2010 census.- History :Sterling was first settled by Europeans in 1720 and was officially incorporated in 1781....
and Princeton, Massachusetts
Princeton, Massachusetts
Princeton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States.It is bordered on the east by Sterling and Leominster, on the north by Westminster, on the northwest by Hubbardston, on the southwest by Rutland, and on the southeast by Holden....
at Wachusett Mountain
Wachusett Mountain
Wachusett Mountain may refer to:* Mount Wachusett, the highest point in Worcester County, Massachusetts* Wachusett Mountain , the name of a ski area on the same mountain...
.
Plot
Hal Larson (Jack BlackJack Black
Jack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
) is a superficial man whose fixation on the physical beauty of women gets in the way of seeing them for their inner beauty. Hal and his equally shallow friend, Mauricio Wilson (Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander
Jay Scott Greenspan , better known by his professional name of Jason Alexander, is an American actor, writer, comedian, television director, producer, and singer. He is best known for his role as George Costanza on the television series Seinfeld, appearing in the sitcom from 1989 to 1998...
), spend their nights obnoxiously hitting on beautiful women at nightclubs.
By a twist of fate, Hal becomes trapped in an elevator with famous American life coach Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins
Anthony "Tony" Robbins is an American self-help author and motivational speaker. He became well known through his infomercials and self-help books, Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement and Awaken The Giant Within...
, who after talking with Hal, hypnotizes
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is "a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination."It is a mental state or imaginative role-enactment . It is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary...
him into only seeing physical manifestations of a person's inner beauty. Hal later meets and is smitten by Rosemary Shanahan (Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress and singer. She made her acting debut on stage in 1990 and started appearing in films in 1991. After appearing in several films throughout the decade, Paltrow gained early notice for her work in films such as Se7en and Emma...
), the daughter of Steve Shanahan (Joe Viterelli
Joe Viterelli
Joseph "Joe" Viterelli was an Italian American actor known for his mafioso-orientated personality endorsements....
), the President of Hal's company. Rosemary is morbidly obese but because of her kind and generous personality, she appears to Hal as slender and beautiful. Used to being overlooked by men due to her appearance, Rosemary initially interprets Hal’s interest in her as mocking, but begins to date Hal when she realizes his feelings for her are authentic.
Mauricio becomes increasingly worried about Hal's new taste in women and convinces Robbins give him the trigger phrase to undo the hypnosis. Mauricio phones Hal while Hal is on a date with Rosemary and says the trigger phrase, "Shallow Hal wants a gal", which serves to break Hal's hypnosis. Mauricio confesses to Hal the truth about Robbins' hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapy that is undertaken with a subject in hypnosis.The word "hypnosis" is an abbreviation of James Braid's term "neuro-hypnotism", meaning "sleep of the nervous system"....
, but Hal does not believe this until he runs into Katrina, (Brooke Burns
Brooke Burns
Brooke Elizabeth Burns is an American actress and former fashion model. She began her career on the popular TV series Baywatch and Baywatch Hawaii.-Early life:...
), a woman who initially appeared beautiful to him due to her inner beauty, but whom Hal now sees in her normal, unattractive state.
Hal begins to avoid Rosemary, who in turn becomes melancholic without him around. Distraught that he has not been seeing the "real" Rosemary, Hal accepts a dinner invitation from his neighbour, Jill, with whom he once had an unsuccessful date. The two dine together and Jill tells Hal that she has observed him overcoming his shallow nature and that she is interested in dating him now.
However, Hal realizes that his true feelings are for Rosemary, who has coincidentally arrived at the same restaurant with her family and sees Hal and Jill seated together. Assuming the worst, Rosemary leaves in tears. Not recognizing Rosemary, Hal walks right by her on his way to the pay phone, ironically to reaffirm her of his feelings. Confused and distraught, Rosemary calls Hal a "psycho" over the phone and effectively breaks up with him.
Five days later, Hal is chastised by Mr. Shanahan at work, who coldly informs him that Rosemary’s Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
partner wants to be in a relationship with her again. Hal attempts to find Rosemary, but instead encounters a young patient named Cadence at the hospital where Rosemary volunteers. Previously, due to Robbins’ hypnosis, Hal saw Cadence as a perfect little girl; he now sees that there are severe burns all over Cadence’s face. Hal then realizes that he doesn’t need hypnosis to see people’s true inner beauty.
Rosemary decides to leave the country to rejoin the Peace Corps. Hal, during his search for Rosemary, finds that Mauricio had his own reason for stopping Hal's hypnosis: He has a vestigial tail, his shame over which has prevented him from ever getting close to a woman. Mauricio confesses that he was jealous of Hal's happiness and is afraid of starting relationships with women.
Hal makes up with Mauricio and decides to try to reconcile with Rosemary. Hal arrives at the Shanahan mansion, where a bon voyage
Bon Voyage
Bon voyage is a French phrase borrowed into English meaning, literally, "good journey", and usually translated as meaning "have a good trip".Bon voyage may also refer to:-Film and television:...
party for Rosemary is underway. Rosemary initially rebuffs Hal's presence, but then accepts his apology when Hal professes his love for her. Rosemary then informs Hal that she is still leaving on her Peace Corps mission, at which point Hal says that he is coming too; having just been sworn-in to the Peace Corps.
Hal and Rosemary reconcile and are cheered by the crowd as they kiss. He tries to carry her bridal-style to the car, but finds he can’t lift her, so she carries him to the car instead. As they drive off, Mauricio meets a woman who loves dogs and the two walk off together as he wags his "tail".
Cast
- Jack BlackJack BlackJack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
as Hal Larson - Gwyneth PaltrowGwyneth PaltrowGwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress and singer. She made her acting debut on stage in 1990 and started appearing in films in 1991. After appearing in several films throughout the decade, Paltrow gained early notice for her work in films such as Se7en and Emma...
as Rosemary Shanahan - Jason AlexanderJason AlexanderJay Scott Greenspan , better known by his professional name of Jason Alexander, is an American actor, writer, comedian, television director, producer, and singer. He is best known for his role as George Costanza on the television series Seinfeld, appearing in the sitcom from 1989 to 1998...
as Mauricio Wilson - Joe ViterelliJoe ViterelliJoseph "Joe" Viterelli was an Italian American actor known for his mafioso-orientated personality endorsements....
as Steve Shanahan - Jill Christine Fitzgerald as Mrs. Shanahan
- Tony Robbins as Himself
- Steve TylerSteve Tyler (actor)Steve Tyler is an American actor and stage producer.-Biography:Tyler was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. He lives in Los Angeles, California where he is an active participant in the city's artistic, political and philanthropical communities...
as Waiter - Bruce McGillBruce McGillBruce Travis McGill is an American actor who has an extensive list of credits in film and television. He is perhaps best known for his role as Jack Dalton on the television series MacGyver and as Daniel Simpson "D-Day" Day in National Lampoon's Animal House.-Early life:McGill was born in San...
as Reverend Larson - Molly ShannonMolly ShannonMolly Helen Shannon is an American comic actress best known for her work as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1995–2001 and for starring in the films Superstar and Year of the Dog. More recently, she starred in NBC's Kath & Kim from 2008–2009 and on the TBS animated series Neighbors from...
as Mrs. Mary Larson (uncredited) - Sasha NeulingerSasha NeulingerSasha Neulinger is an American actor born on September 20, 1989, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Filmography:*"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" .... Charlie Monaghan...
as young Hal - Susan WardSusan WardSusan Ward is an American actress and model.-Early life and career:Ward was born in Monroe, Louisiana. She attended a private, Christian elementary school , in Monroe, LA. She briefly attended Northeast Louisiana University...
as Jill - Rene KirbyRene KirbyRene Kirby is an American film and television actor. He is perhaps best known for his performance in the Farrelly Brothers' film Shallow Hal...
as Walt - Kyle GassKyle GassKyle Richard Gass , also known as KG or Kage, is an American rock musician, singer-songwriter and actor. He is a member of the bands Tenacious D and Trainwreck. In Tenacious D , Gass plays lead guitar and sings backup vocals, and also plays the role of Black's comic foil in most of their comedy...
as Artie - Brooke BurnsBrooke BurnsBrooke Elizabeth Burns is an American actress and former fashion model. She began her career on the popular TV series Baywatch and Baywatch Hawaii.-Early life:...
as Katrina - Sayed Badreya as Dr. Sayed
- Zen GesnerZen GesnerZen Brant Gesner is an American television and movie actor. He is perhaps most recognized for his roles as "Sinbad" in the syndicated television series The Adventures of Sinbad, and was a regular cast member on the ABC daytime drama All My Children as bad boy and rapist Braden Lavery...
as Ralph - Ron DarlingRon DarlingRonald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos...
as attractive Li'iBoy - Joshua Shintani as overweight Li'iBoy
- Sascha Knopf as attractive Tanya
- Nan MartinNan MartinNan Martin was an American actress who starred in movies and on television.Born in Decatur, Illinois and raised in Santa Monica, California, her first film role was The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit...
as unattractive Tanya - Mary Wigmore as attractive Tiffany
- Rob MoranRob MoranRob Moran is an American film and television actor. He played the role of a bartender in Dumb and Dumber and a trans hostess in Shallow Hal. He starred in the American teen drama South Of Nowhere where he portrayed the head of Carlin Family...
as unattractive Tiffany (Timothy) - Herb Flynn as homeless man #1
- Michael CorrenteMichael CorrenteMichael Corrente is an American film director and producer from Pawtucket, Rhode Island. His films include A Shot at Glory, American Buffalo, Outside Providence, Brooklyn Rules and Federal Hill.-Biography:...
as homeless man #2 - Leslie DeAntonio as Helga the maid
- Sean Gildea as pool dad
- Robby Johns as pool kid in tree
- Hillary Matthews as girl with puppy
- Manon von GerkanManon von GerkanManon von Gerkan is a German model and actress. who reached the height of her popularity during the 1990s. She is the daughter of German architect Meinhard von Gerkan and a former girlfriend of American illusionist and stunt performer David Blaine.- External links :...
as lindy - Brianna Gardner as Cadence
Production
The Farrelly Brothers admitted that this was a little bit different from some of their previous comedies, but as with all their movies they like for the audience to feel a connection with each of the characters. Shallow Hal was a more emotional movie and the producers spent a lot of time trying to ensure it would not be portrayed as a mere "fat joke" type of movie, but one that has a strong message associated with it.Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress and singer. She made her acting debut on stage in 1990 and started appearing in films in 1991. After appearing in several films throughout the decade, Paltrow gained early notice for her work in films such as Se7en and Emma...
played both roles, slim and fat Rosemary and had to wear a specially designed 25 pound fatsuit
Fatsuit
A fatsuit is a bodysuit-like undergarment used to thicken the appearance of an actress or actor of light to medium build into a heavy-set or obese character, in conjunction with prosthetic makeup. Other spellings include fat suit and fat-suit....
and encapsulating prosthetic make-up. The make-up effects for Rosemary, Rosemary's mother, and all of the secondary characters was designed and created by Tony Gardner
Tony Gardner (designer)
Tony Gardner is an American makeup and special effects designer. He has been involved in films Zombieland, 127 Hours, Hairspray, The Addams Family, Seed of Chucky, Shallow Hal and There's Something About Mary...
and his company Alterian, Inc.
Reception
In its opening weekend at the U.S. box office, the film opened at #2 behind Monsters, Inc.Monsters, Inc.
Monsters, Inc. is a 2001 American computer-animated film and the fourth feature-length film produced by Pixar Animation Studios. It was directed by Pete Docter, co-directed by Lee Unkrich and David Silverman, and written by Jill Culton, Peter Docter, Ralph Eggleston, Dan Gerson, Jeff Pidgeon, Rhett...
, With a budget of $40,000,000, Shallow Hal grossed $70,703,043 in the United States and $70,230,657 internationally for a total of $141,069,860 worldwide.
Critical reviews were mixed. Review website Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
gives the film a score of 51% based on 121 reviews, and an average rating of 5.4/10, with the consensus: "While surprisingly sweeter and warm-hearted than previous Farrelly outings, Shallow Hal is also less funny and more bland.". Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
gave a positive response of three-out-of-four stars, writing, "Shallow Hal is often very funny, but it is also surprisingly moving at times."
Awards
Nominations- Teen Choice AwardsTeen Choice AwardsThe Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with...
- 2002 - Choice Movie: Comedy
- 2002 - Choice Movie: Comedy Actor (Jack Black)
- 2002 - Choice Movie: Comedy Actress (Gwyneth Paltrow)