The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)

[6]

Writer Audrey Wells (Under the Tuscan Sun) and director Michael Lehmann (Heathers, Hudson Hawk) deliver a better-than-average romantic comedy about a radio show host (Janeane Garofalo) who uses her fashion model neighbor (Uma Thurman) to get to know a handsome Australian dude (Ben Chaplin) who thinks the model is the radio show host he’s falling in love with. The Truth About Cats & Dogs is another predictable and formulaic rom-com that puts a reverse spin on the Cyrano de Bergerac scenario. But the cast is highly charming here, with chemistry working three ways among the trio of leading actors. I was especially happy to see the two women establish a believable friendship.

Like other permutations of the Cyrano story, the film tackles the ‘beauty vs brains’ debate regarding sexual and romantic attraction. I find the original Cyrano and its 80s counterpart, Roxanne, more believable. Cats & Dogs is the first version I’ve seen that switches the genders of the characters. While Ben Chaplin is mightily charming as the object of the women’s affection, I don’t believe most men would behave the way his does in the movie. In real life, he’d try to bang both women and dump them both when their ruse was revealed. Then again, I also don’t buy that Janeane Garofalo isn’t a hell of a catch for any man, woman, or beast. With Jamie Foxx.