Customer Reviews

Angus [VHS]

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Angus was the perfect movie. A story told many times before of the outcasts and how they found their place. Here, it is helped along by the consumate acting of Kathy Bates and George C. Scott along with the younger actors spot on performances. There was something for everyone to relate to in this film and the ending was what everyone hopes for without seeming trite or connived. This movie bowled me over when I first saw it. I just wish some big exec would realize that it needs to be out on DVD!! Even if it doesn't - break out that old VHS player and see this movie. Angus Rocks!

In general, the best of films evoke many emotions. However, can a film actually be life-chaging, or perhaps even life-saving?

I remember hearing about this film when it first came out in theatres. It never occured to me that I should see this; I was a 14-year-old who was just starting high school. In that manner, the opportunity passed up. I wouldn't think of the film for another six years, until a reccomendation at this website rekindled my interest. I rented it, saw it, and was blown over. Angus Bethune, good at science and at fooball, is the punch line of school jokes. Rick Sanford, American can-do-ism at its worst. I thought I was seeing myself in that film, in the character of Angus Bethune. Yet, I didn't have weight problems, attitude, or bullies like he did. Why then did I sympathize?



Indeed, Angus is not like the other glut of teen films that came out well after it. In fact, one could argue it's the perfect anti-teen-film. It doesn't resort to superficial conventions nor does it go for the underlying cynicism. It takes the issues of alienation, loneliness, determination, and the need for direction in a world full of ideas and ideologies with heart, wit, humor, and accessibility.

Patrick Read Johnson (who did a marvelous job directing this film) did the right thing to deviate from the teen film construct and focus on the character-driven narrative. In an interview I read, he explained that teens were not pleased with this film, but older audiences enjoyed it. He then gives the reason: Teens want to be entertained; they don't want to be EXPOSED.

Many non-teens who have seen this film would concur. They remember those tumultuous, confusing times in high school, where they felt alone and ashamed. This film was a testament of those feelings. The director himself was approached by teachers that have used the film to describe these tribulations and the importance of understanding each other, in light of these times where "high-school-shootouts" are all the fashion. Several films present Columbine-like events; could Angus have prevented it all-together? Who knows.

I don't think I'll ever see another film that's this moving. Perhaps after time to reflect, we'll appreciate this film as a revelation of courage and hope.

EDIT: Why is there no DVD? This film should not be disposed of along with the increasingly forgotten VHS format. A DVD for this great film is a must!

There's been a lot of good "teen' movies made since the 1980's like.."Some Kind Of Wonderful"..& more..But here.."ANGUS"really is a sweet wonderful "teen" movie from the 1990's.New comer..Charlie Talbert..will steel your heart.Ariana Richards will melt you down to nothing.She's in her early 20's now..& her acting toward the end was great.The late George C.Scott plays Angus's grandfather.His role here is very rewarding to watch.Kathy Bates..plays Angus's mother...she is very strong in her role.Chris Owen plays Troy..Angus's best buddy.The movie score is incredibly GREAT!A not to miss movie for everyone!No blue screen-no Explosives..BUT PURE human people trying to be the best.Catch it!If you don't-YOUR LOST!! *****

Angus is real. It is not a movie that seems like it is a movie. It seems real. It is not one of thos teen movies where the dialogue was obviously written by some college dropout who was majoring in Creative writting, and is trying to prove that s/he can write realistic dialogue. The teenage characters don't speak like adults, they speak like kids, and that is how it should be. This is not to say that the dialogue is borish or simplistic. The lines delivered by George C. Scott are real tremendous.
The movie is also extremely well put together. It has a load of foreshadowing and symbolism that I didn't pick up on until I had seen it many times (Angus wears Red to the pep rally when everyone else wheres blue. His experiment consists of a Red dot in a sea of blue.)
This is a really amazing movie that doesn't fade in value as time goes on, it grows richer and richer. One of my favorite movies of all time.

And to chime in with the crowd, it is really horrible that they havn't come out with a DVD for this yet. Special Features would be awesome, but just a simple DVD would make me just as happy.

are you not normal?! See it

Angus is the best movie for teenagers who feel like they never do anything right. I am sixteen and, like angus, I am overweight and have been putting up with the tormenting of kids since first grade. the movie shows how kids can act towards someone who is remotely different than they are. any kid and every kid should watch this movie even if it is just to see how it would feel to be picked on by someone who thinks they are "all that" when they really aren't. the point of this movie is to show teenagers "there is no normal". at least when it comes to human beings.

ok, so yeah. This movie is like.... awesome! I was in florida on vacation when my mother first saw it and she told me on the phone that I had to see it because all she thought while watching the movie was that it was my life. honestly, anyone who has ever been the pet whipping boy of their school should see this movie. hell, anyone wh ever bullied someone because they were different should see it, they may learn a lesson from it. from the beginning it grabs your attention and holds it all the way through the end. I really wish they would hurry up with the dvd release of it. the soundtrack is phenominal. I still get funny looks when people are looking through my cd case and find the CD with a blowup doll on it. lol. one song that I l;oved in the film, however is not one the soundtrack. for any of you looking for this song it's by peter gabriel and it's called the washing of the water. but aside from the soundtrack. WATCH THIS MOVIE. especially if you haven't yet grasped the concept that "there is no normal"

C'mon when are these people going to wise up and release this fantastic movie on DVD.

PLEEEEEASE!

"Angus" is a movie about a shy 14 year old who doesn't fit in. He is humiliated and picked on by others at school, and spends most of his time hanging out with his friend, another outsider named Troy, and his grandfather, and dreaming of being with the school's hottest cheerleader, Melissa Lefevre. One day, his dreams come true, somewhat, when he is chosen to dance with Melissa at the Winter Ball. However, the set up was planned by Melissa's boyfriend, and Angus' arch nemesis, Rick Sanford. Angus decides to finally stand up to Rick, and lets him know that he prefers to be different.

"Angus" is a great film for teens that says it's okay to be different. The acting is great, particularly Charlie Talbert's performance as Angus, and James Van Der Beek as the pain in the butt Rick Sanford. This is one of the most underrated films of all time, and a classic in the teen genre. Unfortunately, it STILL isn't on DVD, BUT according to a recent chat with Warner Home Video, they are the controllers for the video rights for this film. They are currently looking into finding a space to fit it into their release schedule.

I think this is one of the few films that I actually remember being in the theaters to see. Not for the movie specifically, but for the fact that it was pretty emotionally gripping at the time it came out (I was really young when I saw it... and it was my first real exposure to Green Day), and that it made my father cry the first time (and several times there after) during the wedding sequence.

Now, my gripe is, I know for a fact there is an abundance of Special Features for this film, at least in deleted scenes terms. there are several scenes that appear on the Television edit, but, as per the original short story this movie was based upon, the Grandfather wasn't originally in the movie at all; Angus' father (who was homosexual) and his mom (A lesbian truck driver) were the two parental figures, yet for some reason, the studio decided to replace the father (after the film rapped shooting) with the grandfather, and have specific scenes reshot entirely.

So essentially, somewhere out there is an alternate work print with Mr. George C Scott, and we're missing out on what could be a really awesome DVD- maybe a Theatrical/Director's Cut, maybe?