Angus

PG-13

1995

1 hr. 29 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

67%

18 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Shy, obese teen Angus Bethune (Charlie Talbert) lives with his 18-wheeler-driving mom (Kathy Bates) and oddball grandfather (George C. Scott). Having loved popular girl Melissa (Ariana Richards) for nearly as long as he's been getting tormented by her jock boyfriend, Rick (James Van Der Beek), he hatches a plan to win her heart. With the help of his cocky nerd pal, Troy (Chris Owen), and a supportive teacher (Rita Moreno), Angus makes a bid to turn the tables on his rival.

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Kurtis E

If I didn't have nostalgia for this childhood favorite, I'm not sure it's worthy of five stars. But I recently rewatched this for the first time since I was probably 13 (34 now) and it still gives me the same feelings I had when I was an awkward teenager. The main cast is terrific. Charlie Talbert as fat but resilient Angus Bethune, James Van Der Beek in his first film role as your typical cartoonish jock Rick Sanford, Chris Owen as the comedic foil sidekick Troy, and Ariana Richards as the beautiful love interest Melissa. They all have amazing chemistry together, but there needs to be a special shoutout to Kathy Bates and George C. Scott as Angus' mother and grandfather. They both steal the show in every scene they are in, in particular one heartwarming scene they share together. It's formulaic as hell including a speech in front of the whole student body at the film's climax about what it means to be "normal", but the comedy is both heartfelt and genuine despite some outdated behaviors from sidekick Troy in this 30 year old film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/24

Full Review

Joshua W

This is one of my favorite movies and I feel like it doesn't receive enough credit for the work of art that it is.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/22/23

Full Review

chris c

My favorite movie for kids to watch, nobodies normal and don't care what other people think

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As the first football movie I remember seeing before Rudy came along, this movie is a non-cliche way kind of spoke to me. I was always the "fat, socially awkward" kid at school, I was easily able to get behind Angus. I wasn't a fan of his best bud Troy, but I guess he served his purpose. The 1 part I would stand up & applaud about is when he told off James Vander Beek.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A film you can learn a lot from.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A Story You Can Learn A lot From Showing That Were All Diffrent and that no one is normal.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Patrick Read Johnson

Director

Charlie Talbert

Angus Bethune

George C. Scott

Grandpa Ivan

Kathy Bates

Meg Bethune

Ariana Richards

Melissa Lefevre

Chris Owen

Troy Wedberg

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Godfrey Cheshire

Variety

A genially engaging surprise.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Nick Bradshaw

Time Out

Basic, yes, but for a teen message movie, this is surprisingly fun, and so sweetly good-natured it feels churlish to sneer.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

An easygoing if predictable alternative to more gimmicky teen-age fare.

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Angus has a gentle message of tolerance and understanding. Our heart goes out to him, even if it is manipulated in the most obvious ways.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 1, 2022

Full Review

David Parkinson

Radio Times

Funny, touching and hugely reassuring.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

Steve Persall

Tampa Bay Times

For all its good intentions, Angus soon becomes tiring, with dingy photography, pedestrian pacing and a central character too lumpish and withdrawn to connect with an audience.

Rated: D

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Shy, obese teen Angus Bethune (Charlie Talbert) lives with his 18-wheeler-driving mom (Kathy Bates) and oddball grandfather (George C. Scott). Having loved popular girl Melissa (Ariana Richards) for nearly as long as he's been getting tormented by her jock boyfriend, Rick (James Van Der Beek), he hatches a plan to win her heart. With the help of his cocky nerd pal, Troy (Chris Owen), and a supportive teacher (Rita Moreno), Angus makes a bid to turn the tables on his rival.

Director: Patrick Read Johnson
Executive Producer: Robert Cavallo, Susan B. Landau, Gary Levinsohn
Screenwriter: Jill Gordon
Production Co: Tele München Fernseh Produktionsgesellschaft (TMG), New Line Cinema, Television Française, Télévision Française 1 (TF1), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Turner Pictures (I), Atlas Entertainment, Quality Entertainment, Syalis DA
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.8M

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