The film follows Dr. Dolittle, a kind-hearted veterinarian who can understand and communicate with animals. He helps a range of creatures, from a chimpanzee on a movie set to a woman's badly behaved dog. Along the way, he falls in love with a veterinarian, Dr. Kathryn Lane (played by Lorraine Bracco). However, his newfound abilities cause tension in his relationships with humans, including his children.