Is ignorance really bliss, and if so, can reality be just as blissful? That is the question at the center of “Shallow Hal,” a comedy starring the unlikely couple of Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. “Shallow Hal” is the story of Hal Larsen, an overly confident thirtysomething who at best can be described as marginally attractive. Hal is the type of guy who would actually take the advice given on “The Man Show.” Though he is paunchy, sloppy and dances like William Shatner on “Soul Train,” he requires unbelievably high standards in his female companions.
In a way, Hal follows in the footsteps of many great film nerds. However, the attribute that separates Hal from the likes of Louis Skolnick of “Revenge of the Nerds” is that Hal feels the need to talk down to those he deems inferior, treating them the same way attractive women treat him.
Black, in his first lead role, captures the dorky self-confidence necessary to play Hal. In fact, Black has built his career playing egotistical nerds in films like High Fidelity, Saving Silverman and as a member of folk-rock metalheads Tenacious D.
Like other offerings from the Farrelly Brothers, “Shallow Hal” involves an unlikely catalyst for the film’s plot. While stuck in an elevator with motivational speaker Tony Robbins, Hal asks advice on how to get attractive women. Robbins discovers Hal’s attitude towards women and hypnotizes him, making him only see the inner beauty of people.
Suddenly, Hal can date every attractive woman he sees because they are not physically attractive to anyone but him. They are, however, wonderful people.
When he first meets Rosemary, he is completely smitten. She is funny, smart and beautiful, at least to Hal. In reality, Rosemary is funny and smart, but is not what people would consider a classic beauty. To everyone else, Rosemary weighs around 300 pounds, but to Hal, she is gorgeous and waif-like, the kind of woman who usually scowls and/or hisses at Hal’s pickup lines.
Paltrow plays Rosemary, sometimes with the help of a 300-pound fat suit. Paltrow captures the wounded animal mentality of a woman who has been ridiculed her whole life. Upon first seeing Rosemary, Hal makes jokes about the size of clothes this “skinny” woman is picking out. Of course, Rosemary does not understand and gets offended.
But Hal manages to establish a relationship with Rosemary, and both are very happy. Through it all though, Hal’s friend Mauricio (Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander in a bad toupee) tries to “save” Hal from his blissful ignorance.
This movie is deeper than most Farrelly Brothers films, even if the jokes are typical of their other productions. The sight gags with a skinny Paltrow facing the pitfalls normally reserved for fat people are funny, but many of these are revealed in the commercials for the movie. What separates this movie from the Farrellys’ other movies – “Dumb and Dumber,” “There’s Something About Mary” and “Kingpin,” to name a few – is its heart.
The movie offers several touching scenes, notably Hal visiting sick children at the hospital where Rosemary volunteers. Though it is not revealed until the end exactly what is wrong with them, Hal’s eagerness to hug and compliment them brightens their spirits.
The payoff for this movie is not the crude jokes, the sight gags or the sarcastic remarks, it is the way the movie deals with perception and reality. If one perceives something as real, what keeps it from being real? And if that perception is enjoyable, does one even care if it is real or not, as long as one is happy?
I did not expect to see the Farrellys deal with such deep philosophical questions. For that reason, this movie could be considered a breakout for them. In the past, they have only dealt with sophomoric insults and gross-out, toilet humor.
While those elements are still evident, and this film will not be winning any Oscars any time soon, this movie has the soul of a touching romantic comedy. If you look close, you can see “When Harry Met Sally…” trying to peek out from under the thick veil of “Animal House” and “Spaceballs.”
If you are looking for deep belly-laughs, you have probably already had them all while watching the movie’s trailers (except for one incredibly random revelation at the end). If you are looking for a real tearjerker romance, save your money. But if you simply want to escape from the daily grind, see two actors with surprising romantic chemistry and just plain feel good when you leave the theater, “Shallow Hal” is a good bet.
“Shallow Hal” opens Nov. 9 in theaters nationwide.
