Hi everyone,

This is my personal opinion therefore, some might agree with and some might not. Ever since the movie Shallow Hal has come out I was reluctant in seeing it. Being overweight, I saw the movie as a vehicule to ridicule overweight people and like me my daughther would need to lose some weight. The last thing I wanted to do was the pass negative issues to her. So last Saturday, in company of my eldest daughther I did rent it.

I must admit it had some touching moment and to be frank I found all the actors sincere except the lead actress since she was
wearing a " fat suit". However, I have to give credit to the real body actress that played that role. Nevertheless, I was disappointed to notice how different the body image between the real body actress and the actress's fat suit. Their body shape was completely different.

The lead actress's fat suit was misconcepted and the face make-up was terrible. I hate to say it but she looked like she was about
to blow-up.

In all it was a positive experience for my daughter and myself.

Hi Emilyrose,

I do agree with you, why couldn't a real obese actress play the part??? Like Camryn Maihem or that young actress that was killed off in Boston Public. There are talented actresses, the main reason why is that the average person would prefer seeing a slim actress in a fat suit that a real obese actress. Once again that is my opinion, *lol*.

I was surprised by the clothes also, I wear a size 12/14 top and 16-18 bottom and I wouldn't never wear those short jean cut-off.

I think they wanted to cast someone slender as the idea was Hal wasn't seeing an obese woman, he saw the personification of Rosemary's inner beauty. Since the majority of the scenes between Hal and Rosemary took place when he was "free" from the shallow spell society cast on him then I think the casting was appropriate. I think they could have done a much better job with the fat suit.

:( I didn't see it. And I'm not planning to, so could someone explain what was good about it?
To me it appears to be just a vehicle for fat jokes (the obese are one of the only minorities that people still openly ridicule)
and perpetuates the concept that fat=ugly.
So what was the positive message?

Susan Ward, she played the nieghbor Jill in the movie. I wanna look just like that!!! She used to be on some crappy soap and was chunky but then she slimmed down and got implants. She looks so great. I don't think I'd actually get implant though, but she is just how slim and toned I wanna be some day.

emily -> I completely agree. I know some people who are obviously only into what society is telling them to be into. Some even realize it but can't help it! One guy told me he wasn't into midriffs at all until MTV started shoving them into his face constantly.

Now, I think there comes a point where it's too much. At least, I hope it is. Despite the hyper thin haute couture models and some of the Ally McBeal cast, I think no one wants boney... though I feel over the decades this world has desired a creeping thinness in women which is very disturbing.

sugarfiend

I thought the movie was good and I liked it because it had a good message about not judging people and looking within. There were a couple of parts that I thought were over the top, but all in all it wasn't anything like I expected it to be. It wasn't about making fun of fat people at all and I was glad I saw it. My daughters and husband and I all really enjoyed it.

i haven't seen the movie....but all i can think of when i see it in the video store, is the interview with Gwyneth Paltrow about the movie in which she said: "i wouldn't want to be fat. it's very hot"

kinda gets me every time

morgayne

The movie was about predudices of all kinds.... they went to the burn unit at the children's hospital where the kids had all been disfigured by severe burns... they had gays in it.... they had skinny ladies with bad teeth..... one thin woman who had a terrible laugh and looked kind of "nerdish".......

So I thought all in all it was a great movie with a good message if you have an open enough mind to watch it........

And I don't really think Gwenth should be getting all the flack she's getting over this either.... personally, I think it is HOT being fat and I certainly would wish not to be fat! That's why I'm trying to change it. I think sometimes we all get defensive about things that we see as criticisms when in reality, they are just facts that don't need to be taken personally. Just my opinion......

I do agree with you DJ. It did have a good message. The only part that really bothered me was the couple of times the chairs broke....I was sitting with a group of people and they were laughting their tails off. I didn't think it was funny at all. I felt very sorry for her.