Common Sense Media Review
Crude, body-shaming comedy with sex and shaky messages.
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Shallow Hal
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say this film offers a blend of humor and an important message about valuing inner beauty over outer appearances. While many found it entertaining and appropriate for older children, others cautioned about its occasional profanity and brief nudity, suggesting it may not be suitable for very young viewers.
- humor and message
- appropriate for older kids
- occasional profanity
- entertaining and funny
- focuses on inner beauty
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
SHALLOW HAL follows Hal Larson (Jack Black), a shallow bachelor who only pursues women based on how they look. After a chance encounter with a self-help expert (Tony Robbins), Hal is hypnotized to see people's inner beauty reflected as outer beauty, causing him to fall for Rosemary (Gwyneth Paltrow), a kind Peace Corps volunteer he perceives as thin and glamorous. In reality, Rosemary is a fat woman, and Hal's friends and family react with shock and mockery when they see her. When the hypnosis is eventually broken, Hal must decide whether his feelings for Rosemary were genuine or simply a product of the spell.
Is It Any Good?
What's supposed to be a feel-good romantic comedy turns out to be a disappointing film that's marred by fatphobia. Shallow Hal might earn a few giggles, but its reliance on mean-spirited jokes is difficult to ignore. The film frames Hal's hypnosis as a delusion that's ripe for mockery rather than an opportunity for genuine insight. It's sad to watch Rosemary being taunted with cruel nicknames such as "rhino" or comments like "she takes the whole bakery."
Rosemary holds her head high throughout, and her confidence is arguably the film's strongest asset—but it's unpleasant that the movie requires her to be this resilient in the first place. As Hal is brought back to reality, the film finally becomes heartwarming and almost emotional. It stays true to the romance part of this romantic comedy when Hal fights for her. But despite Shallow Hal's good intentions, the way it gets there is a real problem.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Shallow Hal's message about inner beauty. Do you think it successfully delivers that message? Why, or why not?
Rosemary shows confidence and self-respect despite how others treat her. What does she teach us about humility? Does she display any other character strengths?
What drives Hal's initial way of judging people before being hypnotized? Where do you think this mindset came from? How can you be more aware of the assumptions we make about others before we get to know them?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 9, 2001
- On DVD or streaming : July 2, 2002
- Cast : Gwyneth Paltrow , Jack Black , Jason Alexander
- Directors : Bobby Farrelly , Peter Farrelly
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and sexual content
- Last updated : August 26, 2026
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