The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)

84% of critics liked it
(38 reviews)
55% of users liked it
(51,545 ratings)

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… More 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, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Michael Lehmann
Written By: Audrey Wells
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Apr 26, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Apr 17, 2001
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
Though its romantic-comedy triangle borrows heavily from Cyrano de Bergerac, the film has more in common with Three's Company.
Ellen MacKay, Common Sense Media
Funny and intelligent, despite some flaws.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Garofalo is accessible to anyone in the audience (except maybe herself).
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Rom-com charmer with a smart script and Garofalo in top form.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Janeane Garofalo's magnetic yet unconventional presence instantly pulls the audience into the story.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Better than it looks ... but not by much.
Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com
Since when is Garofalo less appealing than Thurman?
Frank Ochieng, Movie Eye
A spry and perceptive romantic comedy highlighted by the spirited performance of Garofalo's self-deprecating guise

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Bethany M

It was ok. Nothing more than that. The phone sex scene was especially awkward.
Jennifer X

I like Janeane Garofalo. I think she's hilarious and sweet, and she seems like a really nice person. And it's nice for her to be able to land a starring role once in a while, because - as this movie points out - she's not "conventionally" beautiful. Though I… More
I like Janeane Garofalo. I think she's hilarious and sweet, and she seems like a really nice person. And it's nice for her to be able to land a starring role once in a while, because - as this movie points out - she's not "conventionally" beautiful. Though I must say Ben Chaplin's character is possibly the stupidest man this side of the Midwest. Are you sure you really want to date him, Janeane?
Tim S

A fun romantic comedy.
Candy R

Romantic comedy about a radio presenter uses her friend to meet a guy she likes, as she is too self conscious about herself.
Daniel J D

Thoughts after watching this movie: Wait, this movie isnt' really about animals at all. Ohhh, so THAT's how you do phone sex? One hand on the phone and one where your pants should be. 'Tis a shame Jaeane Garofalo's stand-up/film career didn't extend… More
Thoughts after watching this movie: Wait, this movie isnt' really about animals at all. Ohhh, so THAT's how you do phone sex? One hand on the phone and one where your pants should be. 'Tis a shame Jaeane Garofalo's stand-up/film career didn't extend past the 90s.
jay n

unbelievable but cute
Steve B

Kind of a chick-flick twist on Cyrano de Bergerac. Call me crazy, I liked it. And, for the record, I'd pick Janeane over Uma any day of the week.
Lanning :

Noelle: What's wrong, Abby? Abby: Nothing that a rooftop and an AK-47 won't take care of. Yo, flixsters, I hate to keep harping on this "Hollywood image" thing. So bear with me, if you have any faith in what I might have to say. Garofalo, for… More
Noelle: What's wrong, Abby? Abby: Nothing that a rooftop and an AK-47 won't take care of. Yo, flixsters, I hate to keep harping on this "Hollywood image" thing. So bear with me, if you have any faith in what I might have to say. Garofalo, for my movie-viewing dollars, is one of the most beautiful and comedically funny women making movies today. Natural beauty, inside and out, just cannot be beat. This movie showcases everything that's good about Garofalo.
Jason S

I liked it and I thought the story was engaging. A "Roxanne" for girls.
Michael G

Stupid.
Leigh R

So great.
Joseph E

It had a good premise, an engaging story, but it was exucuted with neolithic incompetence.
Lesley N

It could happen. Couldn't it?
Curt C

Janeane Garofalo has all but disowned her role in this film as being anti-feminist. I find that a real shame; I thought Cats & Dogs had a very nice moral, and as far as Hollywood romance films go, this one gave a really positive message to females about their image and just being… More
Janeane Garofalo has all but disowned her role in this film as being anti-feminist. I find that a real shame; I thought Cats & Dogs had a very nice moral, and as far as Hollywood romance films go, this one gave a really positive message to females about their image and just being yourself. Plus, I'm rather fond of Garofalo's disowned performance as Abby.
Doctor S

Decent gender-reversing modern take on Cyrano de Bergerac with winning performances from all 3 leads. Especially Uma as the sweet-natured but air-headed blonde.
Sunil J

Garafalo is kind of adorably dorky and charming as a radio show host.
Marcus W

Garofalo falls for a guy she helped on her radio show but lacks the confidence in her looks to meet him in person so Uma takes over. It's a very harmless, fluffy, sunny film. Everyone is likeable and no bad things happen and it ends happily ever after. Personally, I just wanted… More
Garofalo falls for a guy she helped on her radio show but lacks the confidence in her looks to meet him in person so Uma takes over. It's a very harmless, fluffy, sunny film. Everyone is likeable and no bad things happen and it ends happily ever after. Personally, I just wanted to see Garofalo with a bit more spark and bite - something she's usually known for, but it's still decent enough.
Sarah B

A reimagining of Cyrano de Bergerac and manages to completely trash a great story. Standard romcom though.
Lee K

wasnt bad for a chick flick
Leo L

Funny!