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Features: DVD
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.
"Two thumbs up!" Siskel & Ebert
"...this quick-witted romantic comedy is secretly much tougher than it looks. " Janet Maslin, The New York Times
"The script is...wonderful." Boxoffice Magazine
"Warmhearted and hilarious!" Michael Medved, Sneak Previews
Editor's Note
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.
Plot Summary
Abby, a talk-radio veterinarian whose self-perceived lack of attractiveness masks her wit and warmth, recruits her neighbor, the beautiful but not so bright Noelle, to act as her stand-in when she makes a date over the phone with Brian. Cyrano-like complications ensue when the charade goes too far and both women fall for Brian, who is attracted to the combination of Abby's personality and Noelle's beauty. Michael Lehmann directed this good-hearted romantic comedy.
| Features | Spanish Subtitles | | Scene Selection | | Interactive Menus | | English Dolby Surround | | French Dolby Surround | | English Subtitles | | Anamorphic Widescreen Version | | Original Theatrical Trailer | | English 5.1 Surround |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Foxvideo |
| Release Date: 1/13/2009 |
| Running Time: 99 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1996 | | Catalog ID: 2001380 | | UPC: 00024543013808 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: English, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
MTV Award (1997) | | | Janeane Garofalo, Nominee, Best Comedic Performance |
| Memorable Quotes| "If you were trapped in Biosphere II for three years, who would you bring? Time magazine's Woman of the Year or Playboy's Playmate of the Year?"----Abby (Janeane Garofalo) | | "You and I together make the perfect woman."----Noelle (Uma Thurman)|"No, you and I together make the perfect political prisoner. What we really do well is act self--righteous and starve."----Abby |
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| | Professional Reviews | Premiere
"...[Garofalo forges] the path for a newfangled cinematic heroine..." 04/01/1996 p.34Sight and Sound
"...Its spirited banter cleverly disguises its critique of the cultural importance of physical appearance....[Garafalo gives] a rich performance..." 07/01/1996 p.54 USA Today
"...Uma Thurman proves she's equally adept at goofy and gorgeous..." 04/26/1996 p.4D Entertainment Weekly
"...[Garofalo] comes into her own as a romantic star..." -- Rating: B 04/26/1996 pp.34-5 Variety
"...Charming performances....Garofalo has quickly established herself as a real presence with a perfectly droll delivery, while Thurman is shown off to good effect..." 04/08/1996 New York Times
"...Directed with steady laughs and disarming comic finesse....Ms. Garofalo shows a look of resignation that's truly and unexpectedly heartbreaking..." 04/26/1996 p.C8 Chicago Sun-Times
"...[A] warmhearted, quick-footed comedy....[Garofalo] is so likable, so sympathetic, so revealing of her character's doubts and desires, that she carries us headlong into the story..." 04/26/1996 p.33 James Berardinelli's ReelViews 8 of 10
...It's hard to say enough about how good Garofalo is...here, she walks away with the entire picture. Possessing the rare star quality and natural charisma of performers like Sandra Bullock, Marisa Tomei, and Natalie Portman, Garofalo not only "eats up the lens", but also displays a fair amount of acting ability.
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