Truth About Cats & Dogs

( 11 )

Overview

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 ...
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Overview

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.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Perry Seibert
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.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 4/10/2012
  • UPC: 013132436692
  • Original Release: 1996

    • Rating:

  • Source: Starz / Anchor Bay
  • Region Code: 1
  • Aspect Ratio: Alternate Wide Screen (1.78:1)
  • Presentation: Color / Wide Screen
  • Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • Time: 1:37:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 5,996

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Uma Thurman Noelle Slusarsky
Janeane Garofalo Abby Barnes
Ben Chaplin Brian
Jamie Foxx Ed
James McCaffrey Roy
Robert Brinkmann Irate Director
Michael Burke Newscast Auditioner
Richard Coca Eric
Stanley de Santis Mario
Victoria Edwards Mother
Nigel Gibbs Newscast Auditioner
Linda Porter Newscast Auditioner
Technical Credits
Michael Lehmann Director
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Truth About Cats & Dogs
1. Chapter 1 [10:53]
2. Chapter 2 [10:40]
3. Chapter 3 [10:07]
4. Chapter 4 [10:05]
5. Chapter 5 [12:17]
6. Chapter 6 [10:44]
7. Chapter 7 [8:27]
8. Chapter 8 [8:38]
9. Chapter 9 [10:31]
10. Chapter 10 [4:30]
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Menu

Disc #1 -- Truth About Cats & Dogs
   Play
   Chapters
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 11 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(10)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 11 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    One for the Money (Stephanie Plum Series #1)
    Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum Series #2)

    Nice Sit-down Movie

    This movie has it all. It's funny and romantic. It's about a female animal talk-show host who gives a caller the wrong inprestion about herself. It's easy and laid back and perfect for any lazy day. I pop it in when I need to relax. It's about the underdog coming out on top.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    You've Got Mail
    Four Weddings and a Funeral
    While You Were Sleeping

    Cute Twist on age-old themes

    I loved The Truth About Cats and Dogs! It's a cute, original twist on the old themes of mistaken identity and 'love will find a way'. Janeane Garofalo plays an animal behavior expert with her own radio call-in show. When Ben Chaplin calls to ask about the outrageous behavior of his dog, sparks fly and the two begin an amazing telephone romance. But when Chaplin decides he wants to meet in person, Garofalo is insecure about her looks and certain he won't like her at all. After all, she's "not the type of girl men fall in love with." What woman hasn't known that moment of panic? Out of desperation, she enlists the aid of her neighbor, a girl she has only recently met herself, persuading tall, leggy, very blonde Uma Thurman to 'be' her for the purposes of the face to face meeting. But as love continue to grow over the telephone, complications naturally ensue, until a large roller-skating Great Dane drags the woman of his master's dream off into the sunset.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Must See Movie

    The title maybe doesn't sound very cool, but the film is so amazing! it's really a sweet, adorable movie, i'm loving it!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    SUPERB

    A movie to see over and over and over and over again. A movie about friendship values and real love.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    One of those feel good movies, but better

    I found this movie one day flipping through HBO and since then it has been my favorite movie. It's funny, cute, and romantic all at the same time without being cheesy. Abby is just an average woman with a super model looking 5'10 blonde living down the street. Now who can not relate to that.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Excellent Must See Movie!!!!

    This movie is such a funny & intresting movie,it's not at all boring.The Truth About Cats & Dogs is one of the best romantic comedies out there! Classic I'd say. The entire vibe of the movie is great for never losing your intrest in the characters & the situation. It's fresh & unique,unlike all these other chick flick movies that come out.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Must See Romantic Comedy

    The Truth about Cats and Dogs is a a wonderful movie for cheering you up. It has some great comdical moments. But it also gives a glimpse of reality in that many people suffer from a bit of insecurity. While Abby (Garofalo) is insecure about her looks, Noelle (Thurman) is insecure about becoming an old maid without a boyfriend which continually leaves her with obnoxious guys. Brian (Chaplin) is extremely gorgeous as the leading man. The pets make the movie adorable. Its a must see!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    wonderful

    great movie, can watch it everyday and never get bored. one of my favorites.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 15, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 24, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 15, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 11 Customer Reviews