Laramie Movie Scope: Angus

A story about the triumph of a teenage misfit

by Robert Roten, Film Critic [Strip of film rule]

August 27, 1996 -- Most movies made about teenagers these days seem to be aimed at an audience with the intelligence level of a chimpanzee. Here's one that's smart. It is also, warm, sensitive and funny to boot.

"Angus," starring Charlie Talbert as Angus Bethune is perfect as the misfit overweight, bright student trying to survive high school. Angus has a crush on the prettiest girl in school, Melissa, but she belongs to the high school quarterback, Rick, a good-looking ogre.

Angus also plays on the football team and he is very talented, but is unappreciated as a lineman. He does the dirty work that helps the team win, but only ends up making Rick into a bigger hero.

Angus gets his chance to take Melissa (Ariana Richards of "Jurassic Park") to the Winter Ball when he is elected King thanks to a stuffed ballot. Rick, who will stop at nothing to embarrass Angus, even gets his best friend, Troy (Chris Owen) to turn against him.

Angus, however, develops "The Bethune Theory," that is, if an aberration is powerful enough to resist the system that surrounds it, it can force the entire system to change to accommodate it. He sets out to prove his theory at the Winter Ball.

Angus' story is not just a triumph for overweight people, but for everyone who has ever felt like an outsider, who has endured the cruelty of packs of children and teenagers. It is the revenge of the nerds, the geeks and all misfits. It's a great little movie. It rates an A.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at .

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)