Shallow Hal (2001)

An unusual and interesting film. Hal as a child promises his dying Father that he will only date beautiful women, and develops into a superficial skirt chaser.

But after an encounter with a self-help expert, he is hypnotised to see people's beauty only from their inner selves, so that all women he meets are (to him) externally beautiful. He falls in love with a nice girl, (Rosemarie, skilfully played by Gwyneth Paltrow) and he is the only person who can't see that she is particularly obese. Things develop, but his friend breaks the hypnotic spell, and then his difficulties start. The issue is well handled and entertaining, as well as being a little moving.

At the moment when his friend breaks the hypnotic effect, he has just encountered an elegant receptionist at an expensive restaurant. He goes back to continue what he was saying to her, and he can now see that she is transgendered. The receptionist, Tiffany, is played by Rob Moran in his only transgender role.

HF March 2003

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