'Shallow Hal' lacks depth, biting humor

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

SHALLOW HAL (Rated PG-13 for profanity and innuendo) Two Stars (Fair) An atypical and uneven Farrelly brothers comedy that seems to apologize for all their previous insensitive humor. Jack Black stars as a shallow fellow who loves only sexy women, but is hypnotized into believing a 300-pound girl looks like his co-star Gwyneth Paltrow. Jason Alexander co-stars. Peter and Bobby Farrelly co-direct. Twentieth Century Fox, 106 mins.

An apology for naughty behavior — even a comedic one — isn't as much fun as the naughty behavior in the first place.

And that's what "Shallow Hal" seems to be — a warm and fuzzy "I'm sorry" for all their outrageous, offensive, politically incorrect humor in "Dumb and Dumber," "There's Something About Mary," and "Me, Myself and Irene."

Yes, I know, the trailer makes "Shallow Hal" look like another attack on vulnerable folks in our society — specifically, the fat. Based on the preview, I dreaded the prospect of a movie-long fat joke.

And, indeed, there's easily enough obesity humor to fill a trailer, from giant swimming pool splashes to broken dinner chairs to wolfed-down milkshakes.

The good news: The fat jokes soon fall flat, and are replaced by more humane attitudes.

By the final reel, the fat girl emerges victorious, an object of true love, with her inner beauty clear to everyone.

Anybody who teased her or put her down is seen as a shallow, insensitive jerk — which probably means a lot of fans in search of typical Farrelly humor will be at a loss.

They might even feel among the accused.

The bad news: Peter and Bobby Farrelly's feelings of sympathy and understanding — while admirable — aren't especially entertaining.

There's a bit of the old "have their cake and eat it too" about the filmmakers' approach.

Black stars as Hal, the ultimate shallow guy. He only eyes women who could be Playboy models or movie stars, though he's no prize himself.

One day he's stuck in an elevator with self-help guru Tony Robbins (playing himself), and Robbins hypnotizes Hal to see only the inner beauty in everyone.

Before you know it, he's falling hard for Rosemary, whom he sees as a gorgeous knockout (Paltrow). We know, however, that Rosemay is really a 300-pounder, but with a bright mind and a good heart.

Hal's best buddy — the obnoxious and truly superficial Mauricio (Jason Alexander) — is befuddled by Hal's apparent loss of "good taste."

"Shallow Hal" then follows Hal and Rosemary's romantic exploits as Hal discovers the true meaning of beauty.

The Farrellys do a double apology in "Shallow Hal:" They also make amends for earlier jokes about the disabled. Walt, a major supporting character, has spina bifida, which causes him to walk on all fours. (He's well-played by Rene Kirby, who's inflicted with the same condition and is making his acting debut.)

Walt is a strong, vital guy; full of self-confidence and humor, and a favorite of the ladies.

"Shallow Hal's" strong suit is its lead performances. Paltrow is quite good, especially in scenes when she must convey the anguish and self-loathing of an obese woman, even while we see her as the lovely woman she is.

Black is also strong in his first romantic lead, though not nearly as funny as in his edgy breakthrough role in "High Fidelity."

Alexander is less successful in support, failing to find a way to make his obnoxious character even slightly appealing. And the bad toupee jokes are trite and endless.

Rated PG-13, with profanity and innuendo.

Jack Garner is chief film reviewer for Gannett News Service.