The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)

A successful veternarian & radio show host with low self-esteem asks her model friend to impersonate her when a handsome man wants to see her.

Director:

Michael Lehmann

Writer:

Audrey Wells

Stars:

Uma Thurman, Janeane Garofalo, Ben Chaplin

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Uma Thurman	...	Noelle
Janeane Garofalo	...	Abby
Ben Chaplin	...	Brian
Jamie Foxx	...	Ed
James McCaffrey	...	Roy
Richard Coca	...	Eric
Stanley DeSantis	...	Mario
Antoinette Valente	...	Susan
Mitch Rouse	...	Bee Man
La Tanya M. Fisher	...	Emily
Faryn Einhorn	...	Child Model
David Cross	...	Voice of Male Radio Caller / Bookstore Man
Mary Lynn Rajskub	...	Female Radio Caller (voice)
Bob Odenkirk	...	Bookstore Man
Dechen Thurman	...	Bookstore Cashier

Storyline

Janeane Garofalo plays Dr. Abby Barnes, the "Truth About Cats and Dogs" radio question-and-answer show host who unwittingly entices a listener over the radio with her soothing voice and personality. This listener, Brian, tries to meet the Abby from the radio, but Noelle, played by Uma Thurman, is mistaken for the real thing when Brian comes to the studio. Instead of clearing things up right away, the self-conscious Abby allows her best friend, Noelle, a tall, stunning blonde, to take her place for a while. Abby takes on the made-up persona of Donna, while thinking Brian would never go for her, a short, cute, brunette, who thinks she's unattractive. As the real Abby woos Brian over the phone and radio, Noelle, the pseudo-Abby, takes her place in the flesh. As time goes on, Abby feels more and more confident that Brian would rather have the beautiful Noelle than the simply attractive Abby.

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Plot Keywords:

model | self esteem | dog | photography | cyrano de bergerac retelling | 

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Taglines:

Brian's about to discover the woman he loves isn't the woman he loves.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for a sex-related scene and brief strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 April 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Istina o mackama i psima

Filming Locations:

Abbot's Habit - 1401 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£302,403 (UK) (19 July 1996)

Gross:

£1,903,493 (UK) (16 August 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Noon Attack

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Janeane Garofalo has been quite vocal about how unhappy she was with the film. Initially it was an independent film, but it was turned into a big-studio project when Uma Thurman signed on. Garofalo remarked,"I think it's soft and corny. The soundtrack makes you want to puke. And everybody's dressed in Banana Republic clothing. The original script and intent was very different. It was supposed to be a small-budget independent film, with a lot more complexity to the characters. When it became a studio commercial film, Abby and the guy wind up together at the end." Garofalo has since disowned the film, calling it anti-feminist.

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Goofs

Brian loses his bag when he asks to escort "Donna" out.

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Quotes

Brian: Throw something to me. Throw something you've been wearing and then I'll go.
[Abby throws her sneaker out the window and Brian catches it]
Brian: Wow...it's a Ked!
Cranky Neighbor: Will you shut up?

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Crazy Credits

In the opening scene, when Janeane Garofalo is about to get on the elevator, as the credits come to an end, Micheal Lehmann's credit is crushed by the elevator doors.

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Connections

Referenced in The Sopranos: D-Girl (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Runaround"
Written by John Popper
Performed by Blues Traveler
Produced and Mixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero
Courtesy of A&M Records, Inc.

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