One of the best things that I love about movies is the way that you get blind sided every once in a while and totally shocked by what you experience. You know, you expect one thing and then all of a sudden you get the rug pulled from under you, usually in a good way. I had such an experience with the Jack Black comedy “Shallow Hal” a few years ago.
I am still moved by that movie because of this one particular scene that literally made me gasp and tear up instantly. I still do every time I see it. The whole movie changed with this classic moment. The crude low-brow comedy suddenly found heart and soul and took on new meaning for me. It wasn’t just about a man who loved a fat woman because love was blind. It showed the truth that we are all beautiful inside despite the exterior or physical appearance. Our souls are glorious and eternal and thus beautiful.
Spoiler Warning
For those who haven’t seen the movie, please do so. Don’t read further or watch the scene if you plan to see the movie. In the scene, Hal visits the hospital where his girlfriend works and sees the children as he always does. Only this time he sees them differently. He sees them as they actually appear and so do we for the first time. They all loved Hal because he saw and treated them as if they were beautiful, not like all the others. Without fear or pity, just with love and appreciation. Hal realizes at that moment (as we do) that they are all still beautiful children and deserve to be treated that way despite what’s happened to them.
Here’s the scene. Enjoy.
