The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)
84%RT Audience Score: 77%
Awards & Nominations: 2 nominations
Sharp, witty, and charming, The Truth About Cats and Dogs features a standout performance from Janeane Garofalo
If you’re looking for a rom-com that won’t make you cringe, “The Truth About Cats & Dogs” is the perfect pick. With Janeane Garofalo’s sarcastic humor and Uma Thurman’s classic Hollywood charm, this movie is a delightful watch. It’s not trying too hard to be anything it’s not, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable. Plus, who doesn’t love a movie that’s all about cats and dogs? It’s a must-watch for animal lovers and rom-com fans alike.
Production Company(ies)
Cosmo Films, Distressed Films, Film Nation Entertainment,
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Santa Monica Promenade, Santa Monica, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 on appeal for a sex-related scene and brief strong language
Year of Release
1996
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 37m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 26, 1996 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 17, 2001
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Janeane Garofalo, Uma Thurman, Ben Chaplin, Jamie Foxx, James McCaffrey, Richard Coca, directed by Michael Lehmann, written by Audrey Wells, comedy, PG-13, box office performance, $34.1M, reviewed by Rita Kempley, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Owen Gleiberman, Brian Lowry, Tom Charity, Nell Minow, Malcolm Johnson, Jeff Simon, David Nusair, Ellen MacKay, Rob Gonsalves, Cyrano de Bergerac, pets, radio show, Great Dane, date, insecurity, charm, Hollywood glamour, ditzy neighbor, confess, falling in love, 20th Century Fox, Cari-esta Albert, Surround, Stereo
Worldwide gross: $34,861,807
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $66,542,317
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,216
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 7,256,523
US/Canada gross: $34,861,807
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $66,542,317
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 949
US/Canada opening weekend: $6,769,363
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $12,920,991
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 863
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Janeane Garofalo – Abby
Ben Chaplin – Brian
Jamie Foxx – Ed
James McCaffrey – Roy
Richard Coca – Eric
Director(s)
Michael Lehmann
Writer(s)
Audrey Wells
Producer(s)
Cari-esta Albert
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (47) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (7)
Why quibble? You’ll still go home purring and wagging your tail.
September 9, 2020
Rita Kempley
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Though the basic brains-versus-beauty tension suggests a female variation on The Nutty Professor, this is a softer version of the dilemma than Jerry Lewis offers-easier to take and easier to forget.
September 9, 2020
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
You feel that Lehmann has too much affection for the people on screen to let them seem like dupes. Then again, that’s part of the movie’s charm.
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B+
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
What really makes “The Truth About Cats & Dogs” special in places… is Garofalo’s dry, self-effacing wit and Thurman’s ditzy, old-style Hollywood glamour.
March 26, 2009
Brian Lowry
Variety
TOP CRITIC
It’s a relief to come across a Hollywood comedy which doesn’t talk down to the audience.
February 9, 2006
Tom Charity
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
January 14, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Nell Minow
Movie Mom
TOP CRITIC
In time… this tale of a terrible quandary becomes as witty and engaging as the confident yet oddly insecure Abby.
September 9, 2020 | Rating: 2.5/4
Malcolm Johnson
Hartford Courant
It’s a charming little romantic comedy that never tries to outweigh its own charm. Best of all, it never forgets how much that charm is dependent on the woman in its center.
September 9, 2020
Jeff Simon
Buffalo News
Affable yet relatively unmemorable…
November 8, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Funny and intelligent, despite some flaws.
January 1, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Ellen MacKay
Common Sense Media
Garofalo is accessible to anyone in the audience (except maybe herself).
July 25, 2007 | Rating: 4/5
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
October 19, 2006 | Rating: 3/5
Boyd van Hoeij
european-films.net…
Plot
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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels praises Janeane Garofalo’s standout performance in The Truth About Cats & Dogs.
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