Perry's character, Oscar Novak, and his partner Peter Steinberg (played by Oliver Platt) have just landed the career opportunity of a lifetime. Chicago tycoon Charles Newman (played by Dylan McDermott) has chosen them to compete for the design of a multi-million dollar cultural centre. Their competitors are the very successful Decker and Strauss, who just happen to be their archrivals in the architecture business. Charles, a married man, is having an affair with an artist, a girl named Amy, played by Neve Campbell. Certain situations, or should I say plot mechanisms, arise which lead to the misunderstanding that Oscar is gay. Charles, being a very jealous chap, decides to 'hire' Oscar to spy on Amy and make sure she's not talking to too many other men at parties and art exhibitions. After all, since Oscar is gay, he's not likely to steal Amy away from Charles. But, of course, Oscar and Amy become friends, and he falls in love with her. She appears to be in love with him too, but because she thinks he's gay, she won't allow herself to fall for him.
Three to Tango has some nice moments, and some not-so-nice ones. There is a subplot involving a famous football star who is secretly gay and gets the hots for Oscar. This little detail could have been left out. Also, when Oscar gets his picture in the paper, and another misunderstanding has him quoted as "proud to be gay", there follow some idiotic scenes in which, for example, his father puts a bucket on his head and bangs it against a wall. Oscar also finds himself honoured as "Chicago's Gay Professional of the Year" (that was quick) and during all this he says nothing, because evidently he's afraid he'll lose his job and Amy's friendship if he does.
Some of the nicer moments in the film are the scenes involving Amy and Oscar's developing friendship, and the moment where, during the award ceremony, his partner silently gives him the go-ahead to announce that he's actually not gay after all, knowing full well that he's blowing a million dollar contract in the process.
All in all, despite the unnecessary and silly parts, I enjoyed Three to Tango; it made me laugh, but I think I was in the minority there.