Word: shallowing
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...Shallow Hal, the new comedy starring Gwyneth Paltrow in a fat suit, is a movie with a message, several, actually...
...allegedly humorous fable about a man who suddenly sees women only as manifestations of their inner beauty, Shallow Hal is a movie for those annoyed by the politically correct self-restraint of Eddie Murphy’s Nutty Professor remakes. The total lack of irony in its vacuous storyline will delight audiences confused by the dramatic complexities of Jim Carrey’s Liar, Liar. Pauly Shore would refuse to appear in a movie that relies so heavily on the repetitive use of a single joke...
...Indeed, Shallow Hal is very nearly groundbreaking in its ability to simultaneously infuriate and sadden audiences critical of its offensive, unfunny plot gimmick. From early in his life, Shallow Hal (Jack Black) has been the mindless embodiment of all things misogynistic. He and revolting pal Mauricio, another caricature of male chauvinism played by the easily dislikable Jason Alexander, objectify and harass each woman unfortunate enough to cross their path...
...therein lies one of the movie’s numerous flaws. Though the Farrelly brothers and main actors have all gone on record to shield the movie against charges of insensitivity, nothing can be said in defense of the illogic and double standards that plague it throughout. In theory, Shallow Hal is the story of a man jolted out of his mindless acceptance of cultural messages about weight and image. Yet Hal’s interest in the obese Rosemary stems directly from the fact that, in his eyes, she looks like Paltrow. As a result, the movie is guilty...
...with Islam, argue a growing number of pundits, but we should be. As exemplified by Ross G. Douthat in his editorial published in this paper, these writers and pseudo-intellectuals have eschewed the labor of informing themselves about other cultures and religions for the easy but shallow polemics and stereotypes reminiscent of 19th-century racist colonial literature. By perpetuating the myths of inescapable conflict and clashes of civilizations, they become the unwitting pawns of the Osama bin Ladens of this world who are itching for such a fight...