Angus (1995)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Patrick Read Johnson

Writers (WGA):

Chris Crutcher (short story)
Jill Gordon (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 September 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

For everyone on the outside looking in... your moment has arrived!

Plot:

A miserable fat teenager secretly has a crush on the class beauty, ends up becoming the surprising participant to dance with her at a high school dance, meaning he's got to get his act together with the help of his best friend.

Plot Keywords:

Dance | Grandfather | High School | Crush | Coming Of Age

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Perry Anzilotti	...	Tuxedo Salesman
Kathy Bates	...	Meg Bethune
Robert Curtis Brown	...	Alexander
Kevin Connolly	...	Andy
Tony Denman	...	Kid
Yvette Freeman	...	Science Teacher
Salim Grant	...	Mike
Epatha Harris	...	Ellen, Election Girl
Steven Hartman	...	Rick - Age 11
Robin Lynn Heath	...	Jody Cole
Grant Hoover	...	Angus - Age 8
Evan Kaufman	...	Alex Immergluch
James Keane	...	Coach
Irvin Kershner	...	Mr. Stoff
Michael McLeod	...	Rick - Age 8

Also Known As:

Angus - Voll Cool (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some coarse adolescent language.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA | UK | Germany | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Germany:6 (w) | Iceland:L | Spain:T | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #34013)

Filming Locations:

Owatonna, Minnesota, USA

Company:

Atlas Entertainment

Trivia:

In the original short story, Angus' dad was alive and both of his parents were gay. When the movie was first shot, Angus' mom was straight and his dad was gay. After the final cut, the filmmakers decided to abandon the "gay parents" situation for good. The beginning - and some key scenes - were re-shot with George C. Scott in his present role as Angus' grandfather.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Angus drops Melissa at her house, they are talking. Every time the camera angle changes, his hair is in a different style.

Quotes:

Rick: Isn't Angus a cow's name?
Angus: Moo.
[Punches Rick in the face]

Movie Connections:

References Superman (1941)

Soundtrack:

Enough

Movie about my life

Of all things, in my freshman year of high school this movie came out and I was stunned. It was about a guy whose own life mirrored my own I just got up and applauded (literally) through the whole thing. Angus was me in school, right down to his geeky friend/sidekick. I was a different kind of person from the rest of the crowd. I was big, and smart, kept to myself mostly but that was so I didn't get into trouble. The biggest difference? I have Tourrette's Syndrome, and was only beginning to show the major ticks associated with it when this movie came out. It was nice to see that people like me could be shown on the big screen in so positive a way. So of course I had to write a review on it here.

The movie is about a fat kid, who like me was good at science and fair at football (though I truly despise football, thanks Coach!) who has a single mom and lives with his grandfather, both played marvelously by Cathy Bates and George C. Scott. Angus wants to get with the popular chick, who just happens to be dating his arch-rival in school that has suffered numerous broken noses over the years from Angus' wrath.

You grow to love his grandad who gives him advice on how its OK to be different, to just "Screw 'em!" If you're looking for a realistic movie about high school and you were different from the rest of the crowd like I was, then Angus is your movie. And his mom, once more like me, seems to be one of the only people who truly ever understand him. Top it all off with his big science project to be able to attend the Magnet School in town, and you've got something spectacular! Add the soundtrack for extra points and I give it a 10 out of 10! "Go for it Angus!" God, I love that line!