Angus - Movie Review

Rating: 3 out of 5

Bring together big stars George C. Scott, Rita Moreno, and Kathy Bates to do a feature film and what do you get? A movie about a teenager named Angus, "the fat kid who's good at science and fair at football" and who just wants to be accepted. What else would you expect?

While not really a "kids' movie," Angus is a workmanlike coming-of-age film, full of slapstick and insult trading among the youthful cast and their parents. Angus is played by newcomer Charlie Talbert (who was discovered in a Wendy's restaurant). Bates plays Mom, and Scott is Grandpa. With the help of his nerdy friend Troy (Chris Owen), Angus chases after local beauty Melissa (Jurassic Park's Ariana Richards) and overcomes the obstacles placed before him by the requisite jock-bullies who are threatened by his being different.

A heavily tested formula, to say the least. The predictability of Angus is mind-numbing, but thankfully it's pretty funny along the way, especially Scott's crusty grandfather (note that the humor may not be totally suitable for children). But don't expect a lot of touching dialogue or an even remotely believable romance between Angus and Melissa; instead, between the jokes, just sit back and listen to 20 or 30 of your favorite pop hits, one after another.

In the end, the movie is humdrum, marginal eye candy--made of pure saccharine. Take it or leave it, it's completely harmless and as filling as a packet of Sweet N Low.

Facts and Figures

Year: 1995

Run time: 90 mins

In Theaters: Friday 15th September 1995

Distributed by: Turner Home Entertainment

Production compaines: New Line Cinema

Reviews

Contactmusic.com: 3 / 5

Rotten Tomatoes: 40%
Fresh: 4 Rotten: 6

IMDB: 6.7 / 10

Cast & Crew

Director: Patrick Read Johnson

Producer: Dawn Steel

Screenwriter: Jill Gordon

Starring: Perry Anzilotti as Tuxedo Salesman, Kathy Bates as Meg Bethune, Robert Curtis Brown as Alexander, Kevin Connolly as Andy, Tony Denman as Kid, Yvette Freeman as Science Teacher, George C. Scott as Grandpa Ivan, James Van Der Beek as Rick Sandford, Rita Moreno as Madame Rulenska, Irvin Kershner as Mr. Stoff, Charlie Talbert as Angus Bethune, Ariana Richards as Melissa Lefevre

Also starring: Dawn Steel, Jill Gordon