One of the most memorably offbeat romantic comedies of the 1990s begins when a talk-radio veterinarian named Abby (Janeane Garofalo) takes a call from Brian (Ben Chaplin), the owner of a roller-skating Great Dane. Brian is intrigued by Abby's voice and asks if she'll agree to meet him. Insecure about her looks and her nonexistent love life, Abby agrees, but describes herself as a tall blonde, then begs her attractive neighbor Noelle (played by Uma Thurman) to meet with Brian in her place. The ensuing case of switched identity is complicated when Noelle takes a liking to Brian who, of course, thinks she is Abby. This confusion gains comedic momentum when Abby safely plays herself on the radio and in a long, hilariously seductive phone call with Brian, but by now the situation has grown hopelessly complex, and Abby has to find a way to reveal herself without disappointing Brian. Many viewers rightly complained that the movie relies on the assumption that Abby is unattractive, even though Garofalo is more attractive and appealing here than she'd been in several movies before and since. Still, this contemporary variation on Cyrano de Bergerac is a lightweight, good-natured surprise that values the quirks and foibles that make lovelorn romantics (including their pets) uniquely appealing. --Jeff Shannon
2.
In this modern variation of CYRANO DE BERGERAC, Abby (Janeane Garofalo) is a savvy, witty veterinarian who hosts a radio show about pets. She and a caller named Brian (Ben Chaplin) are drawn to each other while talking during her show, but when Brian asks Abby to describe herself, the average-looking woman cannot resist offering a description of her statuesque, gorgeous, and slightly dim-witted neighbor, Noelle (Uma Thurman), instead. Later, Brian makes a surprise visit to the radio station just when Noelle also happens to be there--and naturally thinks she's Abby. Scared of what might happen if Brian learned the truth, Abby asks Noelle to continue the masquerade. To complicate matters more, Brian is such a wonderful guy that both women fall for him. Will Abby--or Noelle--fess up to Brian? And will either one win his heart? Michael Lehmann (HEATHERS, AIRHEADS) directed this romantic comedy that tackles friendship, loyalty, matters of the heart, and the things that make people fall in love.
3.
Charming and bittersweet, this modern-day romantic comedy starring Uma Thurman, Janeane Garofalo and Ben Chaplin explores the beguiling perils of mistaken identity.
Abby (Garofalo), a savvy, witty veterinarian who hosts her own radio talk show, is anything but confident when it comes to love. A petite brunette, she describes herself as tall and blonde when Brian (Chaplin), a caller who is smitten with her radio persona, asks her on a date. She then talks her tall, blonde neighbor Noelle (Thurman) into assuming her identity, setting off an escalating series of hilarious and romantic crises.
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