I'm not normally one for romantic films or girlie flicks but I found myself watching "The Truth about Cats and Dogs" on TV a couple of nights ago and I was rivetted!
Released in 1996, this film stars Uma Thurman as Noelle, Janeanne Garofallo as Abby and Ben Chaplin as Brian - the three main and most important characters - evryone else is just incidental! The performances of all three are tight, convincing and flawless.
The film begins with Abby, a vet with a radio talk show, being chatted up by one of her callers - Brian and eventually agreeing to meet him on a date. However her insecurity sets in, as she feels she is unattractive and that he won't like her as a 5ft 2in, plain-Jane brunette so she persueades her scatty neighbour - Noelle, to come along and pretend to be her. She feels sure he will be more enchanted by Noelle being a stunningly attractive, 5ft 10in, slim blonde.
So the film proceeds with Abby and Noelle pretending to be who they are not unbeknown to Brian who becomes enchanted with Noelle, not realising that she is not the voice behind the radio show who he has been talking with.
Abby is intelligent and witty. Noelle is a bit dim, scatty but likeable. However, Brian is fooled and fails to notice the subtle differences between the two until the crunch point comes near the end.
He goes to see Abby (Noelle) unannounced and catches the real Abby, after a heated argument the truth transpires when Noelle appears and he feels betrayed and is understandably upset.
But, as with all such romances, things turn out all right in the end when he and Abby get talking with no pretences and they do become friends, or something more!
Incidentally I think the film title refers to the fact that Abby has a cat and Brian has a dog - nothing more!
This is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging film which never becomes over-sentimental or too cheesy and remains just credible. There is no violence, sex or swearing, apart from a bit of "telephone sex" that all must becomes saucy! Suitable viewing for most of the family and a film which can be watched more than once all though after a while I imagine the plot would wear a bit thin.
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