2001, 1 hr 50 min., Rated PG-13 for language and sexual content.�Dir: Bobby and Peter Farrelly. Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jack Black, Jason Alexander.

No movie will make you feel guiltier about eating that large garbage-bin-sized buttered popcorn than Shallow Hal, even if it does try to tell us that 'it's okay to be fat, as long as you're beautiful on the inside." Hmph.

While I don't subscribe to the other prevailing theory of the film, when young Hal is told at an early age, "Hot young tail is what it's all about," I also know that as warm and fuzzy as a movie this is, it's also a load of baloney.

Yep, it's time to talk about how we - and others - see us. Seems strange, really, that a Farrelly brothers film would spark a discussion on weight relations among youngsters, but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. If comedy can't make a subject easier to digest, then you'll never be able to discuss any topic deeper than who Tom Cruise is wining and dining.

Jack Black is Hal, not the biggest looker either, but he still refused to date anyone who couldn't have walked in the Victoria's Secret special on ABC this Thursday (which I promise I did not see, due to seeing this movie). That is, until he ends up stuck in an elevator with self-help guru Tony Robbins, who in a very good cameo hypnotizes Hal into seeing everyone in terms of inner beauty.

This leads to Hal's best friend, played by Jason Alexander, to naturally believe that his friend has gone insane.

Can't say that I blame him. While the intention is certainly positive for society, the reality is far different. You have to have some sort of attraction to someone, so that Hal is able to see inner beauty and get beyond the initial physical response is a nice thought but disingenuous.

Usually I'm not a big Farrelly fan. Their reliance on stupid pratfalls and gross-out humor is not my style. Still, I saw Shallow Hal due to so many reviews that called it unexpectedly sweet. Graciously, for the most part they avoid such antics in this movie and make it somewhat a good cause, so no longer do we need to see close-ups of men's privates caught in a zipper. Thank you.

I also appreciate that with all the handicapped characters, the Farrellys aren't afraid to bring in people from the fringes who would otherwise be left out of any film, where viewers might be uncomfortable laughing in their situations.

Should you see Shallow Hal? I don't know. It's sweet and full of good intentions, but there's so much else out there (does the word Muggles ring a bell?).

The verdict:

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