Holds it together for an even shorter amount of time than most Hollywood comedies, but the first hour or so is genuinely funny.

What the Farrely brothers do here is genius. We play along and laugh at the fat jokes until we get our first good look at Paltrow. And then then they make us deliberate on our crass juvenility. Shallow Hal, admit it, is the best American comedy of 2001.

It's not terribly funny, not "touching" or "sensitive" and I'd have to question how anybody could view it as such. 1) Did you realize that every fat and/or ugly person is beautiful on the inside and every beautiful person is ugly on the inside? Neither did I but it appears to be true! 2) How can you claim sensitivity to the "inner beauty" of fat/ugly people when every joke in the film is made at their expense? You can't. While a few jokes about f/u people could be viewed as politically incorrect and daring a whole movie about it is just mean-spirited. The sensitivity ploy isn't cutting it. "Big heart" my @$$.… Expand

While Paltrow's performance was touching, the laughs were few and far between. This is the Farellys' first mis-fire.

Jack Black was great. This was a fun comedy that made you think. Our society does place too much emphasis on the surface. Hoorah to a film that dares to challenge the Hollywood glamour.

Tell me Lisa L., what was your least favorite scene in the film which was not in the trailer? I only ask because you obviously did not see the film. It has a very strong message about beauty never being skin deep but true beauty on the inside of the person. I understand that there are fat jokes in the film but that is the Farrelly Brothers sense of humor. They spend a lot of time helping people with disabilities but they have jokes in their films. It's just their way of honoring the people they work with. This is their way of honoring overweight people and I think they do it very well. The film is very touching and meaningful. It has the same message as "Shrek" but it delves into the topic further. I nearly cried during the movie because it was so deep.… Expand

A beautiful and challenging film that makes us examine our own superficialities and come to grips with the shallowness that lies somewhere inside of everyone. Gwyneth Paltrow plays in one of her most difficult roles to date, and she is perfection. Jack Black is also excellent in the title role. Funny, sensitive, and more touching than one could have ever imagined a romantic comedy could be, "Shallow Hal" is undeniably one of the finest pictures of 2001.… Expand

Surprisingly sweet. I too was touched by what I saw on screen. I should have realized that Paltrow would not have put herself in a movie that was simply about making fun of fat people.

Tries to have the cake and eat it, too, and as a result comes off more offensive for its fence-sitting than it might have had it swung in either direction. That said, Paltrow manages a pathos that nearly redeems the antics.

Cool movie; Tony Robbins's message too.

Jack Black is very funny but also good in sober moments. Paltrow playing a bubblehead character is for once bearable.

(actually 6.5) I'm not going to get too political with my comments as I tend to keep that for the more serious movies, not comedies! I liked this film. It was an enjoyable little journey. There were enough sight gags, enough silly cornball scenes, and enough flighty fantasy to keep things going and hold my interest. Black, Paltrow and Alexander were all they needed to be. Heck, even Mr A.Robbins was credible! It's not the greatest film in the world...but I don't think it was ever supposed to be.… Expand

Really really funny. It's a farrelly film so don't try and read too much politics into it. There is none. Just enjoy it.

No I watched the movie, she broke a chair and a bench just by sitting down. It makes it seem like fat people always have big splashes in the pool and it hurt me deeply, just because I am fat.

The Farrellys have done it again with Shallow Hal. Yes, it's a PG-13 feature, so it's not as dark or repugnantly hilarious as some of their other features, like "Kingpin" and "Me, Myself, and Irene," but that's all right. Jack Black is always a good time, and Paltrow is highly enjoyable. The Farrellys have always been about making obnoxious fun while still have a big heart. I'm on the overweight side myself and found Shallow Hal to be sensitive and smart in the end, not just a movie making fun of fat people. And honestly, thongs do not look very good on people of our stature. :)… Expand

Cromagnon on every level.

Not one moment of subtlety or inventiveness in any of the humor on display. Dumb & Dumber worked because of how utterly daring it was and how it was willing to make some of the most outrageous gags while There's Something About Mary struck a chord because of its genuine charm and hilarious comic set pieces. Shallow Hal has none of that because the script is braindead and the plot is routine and predictable. Furhtermore, the film is very poorly shot and lit. I'm not kidding you, it's an ugly film with no "beautiful personality on the inside".… Expand

It was the best, funny.

Funny but this just doesn't happen in real life.

Although much tamer than "Something About Mary," this movie definitely had its laughs and surprises. I definitely wouldn't call it offensive, either - it might be to people with their own sensitivity issues. Its worth seeing, at least for a rental.

"because i'm fat and I get made fun of cause I wear thongs. " Only skinny young women can get away with wearing thongs and yet overweight women and my Grandpa keep wearing them out in public. What gives?

It wasn't funny at all.

I think this film would have been a lot better if it was more of a drama than a comedy and if Jack Black wasnt the lead. Its rather corny and too straight forward and predictable. Jack Black is disapointing and actually makes the film even dumber then what it should be. Overall the story was interesting but the execution was terrible.