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A Disappointing Continuation

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

When I read the synopsis for "The Truth About Cats & Dogs" I was hoping that it would not be another one of those overly sappy and corny romantic comedy that the movie industry tends to spew out by the dozens. And I was hoping it would be more than such, especially because it had Janeane Garofalo on the cast list.I sat down to watch it in 2016, 20 years after it was released. And this was actually the first time that I have seen it, believe it or not.And it turned out that "The Truth About Cats & Dogs" was a rather enjoyable movie, and one that did offer a bit more than your average run-of-the-mill romantic comedies.The story is about low self-esteemed radio show host Abby who gives a caller named Brian some good advice on how to befriend a dog. And when Brian wants to repay her for her helpful advice, Abby turns to Noelle, a tall model living in her building, to stand in for her and pretend to be her.Of course, there are elements of classic romantic comedy to "The Truth About Cats & Dogs", but it does have more than just that. I liked the aspect of the switched roles and pretending to be someone you are not, as it offered a different approach to the story.And the cast in "The Truth About Cats & Dogs" was just phenomenal. Uma Thurman and Ben Chaplin were doing great jobs and were nicely cast. However, it was Jeneane Garofalo who stole the scene, without a doubt. With her amazing on-screen charisma and presence, she just carried the movie so well on her shoulders. She was an absolute delight to witness in this movie.I was more than genuinely entertained by "The Truth About Cats & Dogs" and it turned out to be a much better movie than I had hoped. So if you haven't already seen his movie, and if you enjoy romantic comedies, then I can more than warmly recommend that you take the time to sit down and watch "The Truth About Cats & Dogs"."The Truth About Cats & Dogs" scores a solid six out of ten stars rating from me.

This film is simply a reverse female version of CYRANO DE BERGERAC, except his nose was too big, and she is too short, oops height challenged (Have to be Politically Correct when discussing Liberals like Janeane Garofalo (Abby)). Spoilers: Abby is a radio talk show host/dog expert who is completely unfamiliar with the opposite sex (I am in total shock, what guy would not want to go out with a woman who is a cross between Woody Allen and a Housewife From New Jersey?). She meets this guy Ben Chaplin (Brian), who needs help with his Great Dane, and she falls for him, and send nice messages, but makes it look like it her friend Noelle (Uma Thurman)is the one doing it. Abby is the one with the personality, while Noelle is the flat one (Like her chest), and Brian falls in love with her, because he thinks she is perfect, until he finds out the truth and is disgusted by it all (Neither one appealed to me). In the end, he sends the dog to her radio station to have her put on roller skates, and has the dog (Via a silent whistle) fetch her to him in the park. They end up happily ever after. Is this the worst film that Garafalo ever did? No that is "Reality Bites". But it still sucks, and I have no idea why I saw it but I did. I give it a generous one star for the dog, and because it should not get the same grade as "Reality Bites".

What I really like about this movie is actually a sideline. It's a friendship between two women. How many movies can you name which have, centre-stage, a straightforward friendship between two women? Yet real life is full of such friendships. This one is particularly well-done, thanks to the acting talents of Uma Thurman and Janeanne Garofalo. Personally I don't see Uma Thurman as a dumb blonde. I keep getting flashbacks from "Kill Bill" and "Pulp fiction". She is such an intelligent and accomplished actress; but let's face it, she's not stunningly physically attractive - like, say, Scarlett Johannson. Ben Chaplin's somewhat subdued role doesn't do justice to his considerable acting talents, either (catch him in the British sitcom "Game on", you will see what I mean - incidentally Samantha Janus in the same sitcom would have been terrific in the Uma Thurman role). The main reason for giving it 8 is the performance of Janeane Garofalo, which is outstanding. And the dog, and the cat.An enjoyable movie, with some flaws in the structure.

The title claims The Truth about Cats & Dogs, a little misleading, considering the movie has little to do with either, perhaps it is a metaphor for The Truth about Women & Men, or as the case may be Two Women & One Man, who thinks Two women are One. Confused? You will beThe plot is ludicrous at best, and expect a heavy coating of cheese, but what the movie lacks in realism it makes up for in charm, as we ride out the difficult journey for unconfident Abbey as she gets her man. If there were one flaw in the movie, that niggled me, it was that the more we get to know Abbey, the flakier and at times, downright rude she becomes, in the end i secretly found myself rooting for the silly but uncomplicated Noelle, whom we are meant to oppose. The male lead however is spot on, the female audience will find even themselves falling for sensitive Brian, and the equally charming Hank (the dog)Overall, a feel-good film, and a pleasure to watch if you can overlook the initial cheese and character inconsistencies