Why is Gwyneth Paltrow in hot water in Hollywood

A.� Paltrow has donned a fat suit in a comic tale about inner beauty. Shallow Hal is the story of would-be Lothario (Jack Black from Inner Beauty) hynotised so he only sees a woman's inner beauty. The result is a romance with a 300lb woman, namely Paltrow.

The movie has led to an outrcy from obese protest groups such as Without Measure and Largesse, the Network for Size Esteem. "This movie only hurts the image of all large people, and can have no positive value," said a spokesperson of size. "Since people have leant that it's not politically correct to ridicule racial, ethnic, disabled and homosexual groups, perhaps we can expect films to sink to poking fun at fat people, fuelled by a society that fears and loatches fat," they added. Placard-waving protestors have gathered outside US cinemas to object to the film, and Paltrow has come under a lot of fire in the American media. A website devoted to the whole debate has been set up: www.shallowhalsucks.com

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Q.� What is plot

A.� In the PG-13 film, Jack Black plays Hal and Paltrow is Rosemary Shenahan. When his father is on his deathbed, Hal is told to only date the youngest and prettiest women. This he does until he reaches middle-age when he realises he has only appreciated women on the surface. What a surprise then when he is hypnotised (by Tony Rob) into seeing women only for their inner beauty. He then meets a woman (Paltrow) who is quite obese and he falls in love with her for her inner self. The result is romance.

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Q.� Who is behind the film

A.� The �22 million movie is the work of the Farrelly brothers, who have endured flops with recent films Osmosis Jones and Say It Isn't So. They�also made the�smash hit There's Something About Mary.

Critics have argued the Paltrow film works because of its sense of fun. Weirdos, wackos and physical misfits all have a place in their world. One character walks on all fours thanks to spina bifida but that doesn't stop him being a real ladies man. Another has a vestigial tail that wags when he gets excited. (One of the Farrellys' future projects is Stuck On You, a story about Siamese twins).

Their movie Me, Myself and Irene, a split personalities comedy, flopped because of the nastiness in the gags, but Shallow Hal is said to be much sweeter.

In the US, despite its benign tones, the critics have slaughtered it, calling it "dead on arrival" and "the least funny comedy ever made".

Oscar-winning Paltrow has defended the criticism, saying the movie has a deeper message, but is also a light-hearted comedy , never intended to offend. She says the message of the film is ultimately about true inner beauty as the hero loses his hynosis and learns to accept his loved one in all her plus-size glory.

One interesting quirk of the Farrelly borthers film-making is the credits. A photo or video of every single crew members is shown on the credits which makes watching them a bit more interesting.

The movie was on general release from November 9 2001, for more facts on the film itself go to www.shallowhalmovie.com

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By Katharine MacColl