Truth About Cats & Dogs, The

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Entertainment: +2 1/2

Content: -1 1/2

Cyrano De Bergerac takes the form of a female radio show host in this mildly humorous romantic comedy. Dr. Abby Barnes (Janeane Garofolo) is a radio veterinarian with a call-in talk show, which gives the movie its title. Brian (Ben Chaplain), a commercial photographer, is having trouble with a Great Dane on roller skates and calls the show in desperation. Because he liked her voice and appreciated her help, Brian asks to meet Abby. But Abby has a self-image problem, thinking herself unattractive to men. She recruits her attractive neighbor, Noelle (Uma Thurman), to take her place at the meeting. Brian thinks he's found the perfect woman except it's Abby's brains and Noelle's body. But Noelle begins to be attracted to Brian, too. How long can the masquerade continue? And what happens when the truth is uncovered will keep audiences rooting for the underdog in this likable, light comedy.

Although it works hard to be a romantic comedy reminiscent of the '40s, THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS & DOGS includes several modern elements like obscene language and phone sex. In a few cases, the obscenity is startling because of its inappropriate inclusion. While the term for a female dog may be appropriate in a film about pets, its repetitive use as slang for a woman merely becomes crude. Abby also implies a double meaning when telling a listener not to love your pet. Sexually graphic dialogue in a phone sex scene is camouflaged by the soundtrack but it is obvious the participants become aroused. Noelle is shown in her bedroom with a man lying on her bed, but sex between them is implied only. Talking to Noelle, Abby laments she hasn't had sex in three years. Noelle's friendship with Abby proves to be more important than Noelle becoming sexually involved with Brian. Despite its likable characters, the inclusion of gratuitous obscene and crude comments along with the modern view of premarital sex puts this film in the doghouse.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: 20th Century Fox Film Corp., 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: Many (13) times - Mild 1, Moderate 12

Obscene Language: Many (11) times - S-word 5, f-word 1, other 5

Profanity: Many (13) times - Exclamatory 6, Regular 7 (G, J)

Violence: Once - Moderate (man hit with door - humorous)

Sex: None; implied twice (man on bed in woman's apt; self-gratification)

Nudity: None; near nudity (poster of woman covering herself with audio speakers)

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Sensual kissing, sexually suggestive phone conversation

Drugs: Alcohol drinking, cigarettes smoking

Other: Humorous reference to bestiality; friendship stressed as more important than a sexual fling

Running Time: Unknown
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults

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