- Director: Michael Lehmann
- AMG Rating:
- Genre: Romance
- Movie Type: Comedy of Errors, Romantic Comedy
- Themes: Mistaken Identities, Love Triangles, Women's Friendship
- Main Cast: Uma Thurman, Janeane Garofalo, Ben Chaplin, Jamie Foxx, James McCaffrey
- Release Year: 1996
- Country: US
- Run Time: 97 minutes
- MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
In this updated and gender-reversed variation on Cyrano de Bergerac, Janeane Garofalo stars as Abby, the host of a radio talk show for people who have problems with pets. One day, she gets a call from Brian (Ben Chaplin) who is having trouble with his Great Dane (who enjoys roller skating). After a few minutes on the phone, Brian is immediately taken with Abby, and she's certainly interested in him. However, while Abby is not unattractive, she's terribly self-conscious about her appearance. When he asks her for a description, instead of telling him she's a diminutive brunette with big brown eyes, she describes her neighbor Noelle (Uma Thurman), a tall, rail-thin, blue eyed blonde. When Ben sets up a date, Abby is frantic and convinces Noelle to take her place. However, while Abby sounds smart, witty and charming over the radio (or the telephone), Noelle speaks like -- well, I think the phrase dumb blonde is called for here. Brian becomes puzzled -- why is it Abby is so great on the phone but so inarticulate in person? And what's the story with her friend, the cute brunette who sounds so smart? Noelle is even more confused; she wants to help her friend, but she's finding herself falling for Brian as well. The Truth About Cats and Dogs gave Ben Chaplin his first role in an American film and Janeane Garofalo's first starring turn after several notable supporting performances. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie GuideReview
There is a star-making moment about two thirds of the way into The Truth About Cats & Dogs. Brian is taking Abby's picture. She is drunk and competing with the beautiful Noelle for Brian's affections. We know that audience members project what they think a movie character is feeling into their every close-up, but Janeane Garofalo manages to pull off something very special with nothing more than a few intense looks. Intelligence, charm, desire, hope, fear, and self-loathing all fly from her eyes in equal measure. It is a devastating look that manages to crystallize the character of Abby, as well as showcase Garofalo's acting talent. Sure, when Brian takes Noelle's picture she is obviously more conventionally attractive, but Abby has already won the hearts of the audience.While Garofalo paints the perfect portrait of the smart but self-hating woman, Uma Thurman brings depth to a character who believes she is nothing other than a beautiful face. Thurman's character loves dessert, but never eats it for fear of ruining her looks. When Brian makes her eat a bite of cake, her eyes light up with repressed desire and she devours the rest of the piece. With ease and humor, the filmmakers establish that each of these women sees what they would like to be in the other. Their friendship is unforced and natural. The accomplishment of the film is that even as they treat each other badly in pursuit of Brian, never once does it seem out of malice and spite. These are two damaged women who momentarily let their insecurities get the better of their sweet natures. That the audience never turns on either of them is a testament to director Lehmann's easy touch, screenwriter Wells' smarter than necessary dialogue, and the skill of the two lead actresses. Yes, the film is simple and clichéd, but everything about the movie is a little better than it needs to be, which makes The Truth About Cats & Dogs a highly enjoyable romantic comedy. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Cast
- Uma Thurman - Noelle Slusarsky
- Janeane Garofalo - Abby Barnes
- Ben Chaplin - Brian
- Jamie Foxx - Ed
- James McCaffrey - Roy
