‘Angus’ Long On Mushiness And Short On Originality
“Angus” wears its heart on an old and tattered shirtsleeve.
To its eternal credit, the new film treats teen problems with a gratifying lack of condescension. But it doesn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know: It’s tough being an outsider. It’s tough being popular. It’s tough when there are no expectations, and it’s tough when there are too many. Hey, being a teen is tough.
But the film’s plot contrivances are even more staggering than its big, battered heart. The teen hero’s grandpa, a likable geezer who dispenses hard-earned wisdom whenever he can stay awake long enough, eagerly awaits his marriage to a much younger woman.
You know something traumatic will happen before the wedding ceremony, and of course it does. You also guess that all the plot twists will be tied together at the high school’s Winter Ball, and they are, albeit rather messily. “Angus” isn’t exactly long on surprises.
Angus (played by newcomer Charlie Talbert) is an overweight, alienated freshman who has two constants in his school life - the merciless bullying of his nemesis, the popular Rick (played by James Van Der Beek), and his own infatuation with Rick’s cheerleader girlfriend, Melissa (Ariana Richards, from “Jurassic Park”).
His truck-driving mother (Kathy Bates) and grizzled, soon-to-be-wed grandfather (George C. Scott) tell him not to worry about anything. Somehow, that doesn’t help.
The resultant crises are as predictable as an essay cribbed from an encyclopedia. The screenplay eventually disintegrates into a series of heart-to-heart confessionals.
The teen performances all have the ring of truth, and Bates gives a winning performance as Angus’ plain-spoken mom. Unfortunately, Scott looks like he’s just biding time, and Rita Moreno has an embarrassing cameo as an overdecorated dance instructor. However, Lawrence Pressman has some convincing moments as the ineffectual school principal who finally decides to stand up to rich, calculating Rick.
“Angus” is directed by Patrick Read Johnson, who seems to have blind faith that the story’s good-heartedness will overcome all cliches.
xxxx “ANGUS” Location: East Sprague, North Division and Showboat cinemas Credits: Directed by Patrick Read Johnson, starring Charlie Talbert, Kathy Bates and George C. Scott Running time: 1:31 Rating: PG-13