The Truth About Cats and Dogs (1996)

This likable romantic comedy stars Janeane Garofalo (BYE BYE LOVE, 
REALITY BITES) as a talk-show pet doctor who pretends to be her 
blonde-model friend (Uma Thurman) after a charming caller (Ben 
Chaplin) asks her out on a date.  (Think "Cyrano" Lite.)  Mildly 
hilarious before it descends into "touchy-feely" tedium, THE TRUTH 
ABOUT CATS AND DOGS is hampered by the casting of two equally 
attractive leading ladies.  For the conflict to work as it's 
written, the characters need to be a real "Mutt and Jeff" pair.  
However, Ms. Garofalo is easily as appealing as (if not more than) 
Ms. Thurman.  (If Uma looks less-ravishing than usual, I'd blame 
the terrible 'do that she wears!  Woof!)  Director Michael Lehmann 
(HEATHERS) tries to make Janeane look frumpy, but to no avail.  She 
shines even brighter than her co-star and that's a problem for 
believability.  (Maybe a better title would be THE TRUTH ABOUT 
WOMEN'S SELF ESTEEM?)  That said, Janeane, Uma, and Ben Chaplin 
have a very good chemistry together.  They make this a trip to the 
vet that's arguably worth taking, even for those of us who gag at 
all the canine- and feline-related humor.  (Rated "PG-13"/100 min.)

Grade: C+

Copyright 1996 by Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies in MOVIE HELL: April 21, 1996