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Shallow Hal

Play trailer Poster for Shallow Hal PG-13 Released Nov 9, 2001 1h 54m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
49% Tomatometer 134 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
The story revolves around Hal (Jack Black) who, taking his dying father's advice, dates only the embodiments of female physical perfection. But that all changes after Hal has an unexpected run-in with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Intrigued by Hal's shallowness, Robbins hypnotizes him into seeing the beauty that exists even in the least physically appealing women.
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Shallow Hal

Shallow Hal

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Critics Consensus

While surprisingly sweeter and warm-hearted than previous Farrelly outings, Shallow Hal is also less funny and more bland.

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Critics Reviews

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Roger Clarke Independent (UK) Unexpectedly rather sweet and underplayed, given that it comes from the gross-out kings. Rated: 2/5 Nov 8, 2023 Full Review Telegraph Staff Daily Telegraph (UK) The situations become too embarrassing to be funny. Nov 8, 2023 Full Review Christy Lemire Associated Press A movie that meanders from one sight gag to the next, many of which you've already seen in the commercials. Jun 12, 2018 Full Review Gary Wolcott Tri-City Herald Black does not have the skill to carry an entire movie... Despite that drawback and the film's one-dimensional plot, Shallow Hal has a terrific message. Rated: C+ Apr 1, 2025 Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) After a ponderous start, the Farrellys eventually unveil their big dramatic idea rather slowly, but don't know where to take it. Having wandered around in circles for nearly two hours they end up in embarrassment. Nov 8, 2023 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins The pervasive, uncomfortable feeling from Hal's confusion distracts from the commendable nature of the themes and the effectiveness of the humor. Rated: 5/10 Nov 9, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member i thought it was funny and cute! i can see how some people may not like it saying fat=ugly but when you look beyond that i think the message of inner beauty is nice Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/06/25 Full Review Audience Member Very funny movie, the tail scenes had me laughing pretty hard Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/24/25 Full Review Audience Member This movie had me laughing a lot more than I expected. Definitely check this movie out. 4/5 stars. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/12/25 Full Review nonny s Decades later this movie is still gold it teaches a valuable lesson in a very entertaining way “sometimes less is more” credits to the writers Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/06/25 Full Review Alexander T This is a great movie. It has a deep meaning and is very entertaining. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/16/25 Full Review Audience Member Jack Black cannot be serious in this movie, lol. Fat boy... Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/28/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Shallow Hal

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Farrelly

Director

Peter Farrelly

Director

Gwyneth Paltrow

Rosemary

Jack Black

Hal

Jason Alexander

Mauricio

Joe Viterelli

Steve Shanahan

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Shallow Hal

Hal (Jack Black) cannot understand why the undergarment of his lithe girlfriend is the size of a small tent. Hal (Jack Black, right) reacts to some questionable advice from his equally shallow friend Mauricio (Jason Alexander). Hal (Jack Black, right) has a life-altering encounter with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Directors Bobby Farrelly (left) and Peter Farrelly flank Jack Black on the set of SHALLOW HAL. Mauricio (Jason Alexander) is a little overwhelmed by his ukulele-strumming acquaintance (Joshua "Li'iboy" Shintani). Lovesick Hal (Black) is literally up in the air during his whirlwind romance with Rosemary (Paltrow), an obese and homely woman he has been hypnotised into percieving as a lithe beauty. Rosemary (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Hal (Jack Black) share a tender moment over an enormous chocolate shake. JACK BLACK is Hal, the ultimate shallow guy whose views on the nature of real beauty are forever changed after an impromptu hypnosis. An anxious Rosemary (Gwyneth Paltrow) prepares for a romantic evening with her new boyfriend. GWYNETH PALTROW is Rosemary, a Peace Corps volunteer whose inner beauty is seen as physical splendor by her new - and hypnotized - boyfriend. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The story revolves around Hal (Jack Black) who, taking his dying father's advice, dates only the embodiments of female physical perfection. But that all changes after Hal has an unexpected run-in with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Intrigued by Hal's shallowness, Robbins hypnotizes him into seeing the beauty that exists even in the least physically appealing women.
Director
Robert Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Producer
Robert Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, Bradley Thomas, Charles B. Wessler
Screenwriter
Robert Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, Sean Moynahan
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox, Conundrum Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 9, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$70.8M
Runtime
1h 54m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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