Question:
What was your impression of the movie

Shallow Hal?? Do you think society sees us this way? Proximal LAP RNY 9/3/02 5'2" 265/176/126-115 Hadiyah, a.k.a.~    — yourdivaness (posted on November 16, 2005)

November 16, 2005
I expected to hate it, but I didn't. And if you mean does society see our inner beauty manifested on the outside, then no. I doubt it highly.
   — Jeanie

November 16, 2005
I cried for a long time after this movie. Usually I'm too cynical to cry. Do they think of us this way? Yes, I think so. I surely can tell the difference in the way I was treated at 262 vs 112 lbs. The things people think they have the RIGHT to say to us! Grrr. Anyway, that movie so explained how I feel about my body. Being "nice" inside didn't save me from the horrors of being societally unacceptable on the outside.
   — vitalady

November 16, 2005
I agree with the two people before me. The sad fact is that we live in a VERY superficial world. And yes, anyone who isn't rail-thin automatically becomes a thing to be made fun of. Notice I said "thing" because for the most part, you don't feel like a person. You feel like the lowest life form. And the person who said they feel like they have a right to say it. Oh man.. I could NOT agree more. It's like they think it just HAS to be said and they're supposed to say it. Well it doesn't and you shouldn't. Shallow Hal has the capacity to make you feel horrible if you take it to heart.
   — Steffers

November 16, 2005
I expected to be amused by this movie. I was not. It hurt like hell to watch it. Do I think society really views us this way....oh yeah. It was an extremely exaggerated view of the obese, but I think it was pretty close to societal views. I weighed over 300# and quite honestly....I never broke a chair by sitting on it or caused a car to drag the ground by simply getting in it. I think if society would look at it as a learning experience of how people view those who are different, it would be one thing. However, I felt like it was simply making fun of anyone who was obese. Carmen
   — kccjer

November 16, 2005
When I saw the previews way back when, I was furious about it. I knew exactly what it would be about. Comedy has always been about making fun of overweight people. I was angry that this movie didn't even try to pretend otherwise. I can remember how hurt I felt when another popular guy movie, "Porky's" (YUCK!) had the girls locker room scene. I felt humilated as they showed a fat naked girl blocking the peeping boys from seeing the real naked beauty. Many people defended the movie by saying that in the end, Hal realizes that he loves her for who she is inside. BULL! That somehow cancels out all the humiliation, the wisecracks, the sick humor? I grew up seeing thin women glorified and fat women crucified. I viewed myself as unworthy for so long, that I still can't look at myself in a mirror and believe that I am anything else even though I have lost 68lbs and considered only overweight instead of morbidly obese. I did finally watch the movie, to shut up all the people who kept saying that it really was a good movie. I was rewarded with a sick stomach and a rising anger until the bitter end. I didn't feel anything close to good-will when Hal finally realized that his woman was fat and he loved her anyways. Sorry, didn't redeem him in my eyes. The way that he as well as others in the world, view fat people is as ingrain in their minds as the fat image I see in the mirror of my mind no matter how much weight I loose.
   — kimkovac

November 17, 2005
Yes I believe society really looks at large people like they are form another planet or have a handicap. Its really sad how many people are so ignorant. You can speak to someone one the phone and they treat you one way and if they ever meet you thats so different. I have had people look at me like I didnt realize she was fat when we were talking on the phone. I guess some people are born ingorant and never recover. That is there problem and there lose. We have nothing to be ashamed of they do and should be.
   — sashley

November 18, 2005
I refuse to watch it. I'm at goal now, but there is still some "fat girl" left inside me. I won't spend a dime or any of my time watching it. Just my opinion. -Lori -150 @ goal
   — Lori J.

November 26, 2005
I have to agree with the posts thusfar. The movie really didn't appeal to me at all. I have a close friend that had WLS about 7 years ago. She went from 300# to probably 115 or so, and looks absolutely beautiful. She's such a great person because even though she looks the way she does, she still has the great "fat girl" personality, as she puts it. Hearing her talk about how different people treat her now versus back in the day is amazing. It's a shame society is the way it is. My main reason for exploring WLS is to give me a tool to lose weight for health and such, but it will be interesting to see how I am treated differently.
   — schlepter