Animal Behavior (1989)

14% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(71 ratings)

In this enjoyable, lighthearted "he's fallen for her" situational, a music professor finds a science department faculty member too deeply engrossed in her inter-species communication studies (she talks to chimps) to even notice him. Since he can't get her mind off her studies, he decides to work… More In this enjoyable, lighthearted "he's fallen for her" situational, a music professor finds a science department faculty member too deeply engrossed in her inter-species communication studies (she talks to chimps) to even notice him. Since he can't get her mind off her studies, he decides to work part-time for her in the university laboratory. In this way he becomes aware of her dilemma: she's found that her research funds are set to be axed. He's there to help her figure out a way to prove their worth, and maybe spike her interest in him at the same time. There's plenty of clean fun and a satisfying outcome to be had here. ~ Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 19 min.
Directed By: H. Anne Riley
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1989 Wide
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Jay Carr, Boston Globe
The problem in "Animal Behavior" isn't the animal behavior. It's Susan Rice's sweet-natured but unskilled script, and Anne Riley's direction, which underlines its connect-the-dots obviousness while ignoring its screwball comedy possibilities.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The movie plays as if it had not been directed by anyone, or as if someone had come along and attempted to improve whatever the original director had done.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Allen and Assante are so terrific together you regret that "Animal Behavior," goes for whimsy and sentimentality rather than the screwball humor and sophistication of "Bringing Up Baby."
Leonard Maltin, Leonard Maltin's Picks
Let us all be thankful that Bonzo didn't live to see this.
, Sky Movies
With a poor script, some very poor acting from Allen and, surprisingly, Holly Hunter, this was doomed to fail.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This modest little movie deserves to be seen and appreciated. It manages to be intelligent without being pompous or pretentious, and entertaining without resorting to titillation.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
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