Shallow Hal

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Shallow Hal

PG-13,

2001,

1h 54m,

Romance/

Comedy

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Watchlist

48%

132 Reviews

Tomatometer

45%

250,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

132 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

The story revolves around Hal 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.

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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Roger Clarke

Independent (UK)

Nov 8, 2023

2/5

Unexpectedly rather sweet and underplayed, given that it comes from the gross-out kings.

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Telegraph Staff

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Nov 8, 2023

The situations become too embarrassing to be funny.

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Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Jun 12, 2018

A movie that meanders from one sight gag to the next, many of which you've already seen in the commercials.

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Gary Wolcott

Tri-City Herald

Apr 1, 2025

C+

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.

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Nov 8, 2023

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.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 9, 2020

5/10

The pervasive, uncomfortable feeling from Hal's confusion distracts from the commendable nature of the themes and the effectiveness of the humor.

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Theodore P

Mar 21, 2019

It is a funny film that has a good message that teaches you that beauty is on the inside and not the outside. The Farrelly Brothers do a good job at portraying the message and Jason Alexander plays George Costanza here but still provides laughs in every scene he is in.

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Ron W

Sep 19, 2018

Stupid, yes. But I liked it nonetheless.

Anakin P

Jul 21, 2018

This movie is pretty ridiculous. Comedy is pretty eh as well. Acting aint bad and soundtrack was nice though.

Poe W

Feb 23, 2018

Entertaining enough but took itself too seriously. Could have been funnier.

Abraham R

Nov 24, 2017

Okay watch if you're a Jack Black fan.

George R

Aug 8, 2017

Jack Black is a fat guy who likes hot chicks, so a pretty unique character. A whimsical magical thing happens to our protagonist allowing him to only see people's inner beauty, while everybody else can only see their outer beauty. It's the stupidest concept ever ....of course most hot girls are terrible people. To hear us ask "what's this chair made of...steel? Well reinforce it!" head on over to broforcesquad.com

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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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Synopsis

The story revolves around Hal 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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