Profound words from ... Gwyneth Paltrow?

[Samurai_Writer]

I bought Shallow Hal on DVD, and was watching all the special features. They had an interview with Gwyneth that was really profound, IMO.

No matter what you think of the movie (I really liked it, being a fat woman, I think it had a great moral to the story and great ending), Gwyneth's words really struck me. It's so true. I deal with this type of attitude every day when I am out in public.

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Gwyneth: I put on the full body suit and makeup in the hotel room, and then went down to the lobby.

Makeup Artist: It was sort of like Gwyneth didn't exist.

Gwyneth: I went down to the bar... no one would make eye contact with me, no one would look in my direction. I asked people question, and people were dismissive. It was a very sad and startling experience.

Gwyneth: I think people think it's the polite thing to do not to look if someone is really, really overweight, but it's incredibly isolating. And lonely and wierd. It was a very profound experience -- I felt so alone, it was like no one was connecting with me. Nobody would look in my direction, nobody would make eye contact or smile.
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[efhmc]

1. I liked the movie also. What did you think of Gwyneth's playing the

part of a fat woman?

[Samurai_Writer]

2. I think she did a great job

In her interview, she said that she developed her character to be the same, fat or thin. She wasn't any different in her mannerisms, personality, etc. when she was perceived as thin as when she was viewed as fat. Watching her move in the fat suit and watching her move when she was 'thin', she really had it down. Watch when she gets up onto the diving board... that's the best example I can think of. I think she treated the role with a lot of respect, and made it very real to the audience, so they could empathize with RoseMary, and not just be the 'fat girl' to make fun of.

[efhmc]

3. I had read or heard that many fat people were angry that such a "thin"

person played the "fat" part. I thought she was good and I loved the whole idea of the movie.

[Samurai_Writer]

4. Yes I heard that too, among other things

I heard it was a movie totally bashing fat people, and that couldn't be further from the truth. If anything, it was bashing shallow people who put all their emphasis on physical beauty.

They did use a fat actress for some scenes, as a 'body double' for Gwyneth. But I really don't think it would have worked if the audience could not see GWYNETH as a fat person. Because she still was just as beautiful, fat or thin. I've always admired her acting, and knew she was not the typical hollywood bimbo actress. This role really emphasized that, and made me admire her acting even more.

[geniph]

5. It wouldn't have worked too well to have a heavy person...

because the person has to appear thin in some scenes. Easier for a thin person to wear a fat suit. There's no easy way to make a heavier actress appear thin in some of the scenes.

[Hello_Kitty]

6. I liked the movie so much

That I use the phrase "Shallow Hals" to this day to describe the type of guy that Jack Black portrayed in that movie. He and Jason Alexander did a great job of playing the sort of men who demand physical perfection in women, despite their own gaping physical flaws. Paltrow was great in the movie too.

[TheProphetess]

7. The only thing I didn't like about the movie

Was that she was shown as consuming huge quantities of food constantly. I am fat and I do not eat like that. It seemed to be a stereotype of the way fat people must eat (like it's their last meal each time).

Otherwise, you are right - Gwyneth had the role down pat. What an eye-opening experience for people who are and have always been thin.

[lukasahero]

8. I didn't like any of the stereotypical "jokes" that were used however

I was very surprised by the overall message of the film. The breaking chairs, the "overeating", all the "fat" jokes really got on my nerves but I wonder how many people who use those very same jokes routinely were left to feel like the a$$holes they are by the end of the film.

[TheProphetess]

9. I forgot about the chairs breaking

Yeah, that was another one that really bothered me while I was watching it.