Angus

Heartfelt, but unfortunately very unrealistic. People like Angus never get the homecoming queen and I think it's kind of a cop-out to end the film that way. Instead, I would have liked to have seen him become more secure in himself without affirmation from the entire student body and the head cheerleader. Has its share of funny moments and great characters, so I still like it.

There was a time at which I would've resisted this, but that time is past. There's a blurb about Superman not being brave that would've been right at home at the end of Kill Bill: Volume 2. I think the message of courage through resilience was really effective even if it mostly leads to unrealistic monologues, but I once showed up to a full marathon after taking two and a half years off of training. It's a Covid era story that resulted in lightening cancelling the event. I learned nothing.

Generic in a lot ways. It has a good deal of unrealistic contrived events that push the story forward to a "if only" story for nerds. Sadly stuff just doesn't happen that way in real life and by making it seem terribly hunky-dorey it really demeans how terrible bullying actually is. Still Angus is a generally likable character with actual faults. There are a couple of good gags but a lot of them just don't really work.

Not very good.

It's a pretty generic "nerd gets the girl and shows up the jocks" story. But the main character is really likeable, and it shows that everyone (no matter how perfect they seem) has problems.

A mostly nice high school movie with some seriously underbaked side characters.

The best parts of the film are those revolving around the relationships that are flourishing in Angus's life: the one with his grandfather (George C. Scott in a delightful role) and Troy. Rick Sanford is a one-note bully, and Lefevere is a mere idea of a character. Still, there's a lot of charm and the positive message still holds up.

Awkward kid in the 90s, so I love an awkward kid 90s movie.

Some really heartfelt moments are intermixed with lazy stereotypes and forced awkwardness.

Charming story where the fat kid finally gets the girl. The acting isn't great from the lead and newcomer Charlie Talbert, but the movie has an endearing quality.

I recall this was a fairly decent movie when I was a teen. It made me feel really sad for Angus. Poor fat loser :(

Is awkward, a bit dated, and has been done better before and since. But this one still has enough heart and sincerity to make a viewing worth your time.

One of a good breed of films that aim to walk genre tropes entirely to subvert them, Angus admittedly works far better as one of the more humble, touching films about high school.

Really and underrated movie because, hell, I don't think it's rated at all. I don't know of anyone outside of my circle of friends who has seen it. It's a pretty good movie with a pretty good soundtrack (from what I remember). It's got Dawson playing the role of an a-hole jock, so there's something for everyone.

I love underdog teen movies, but this is minimally inspired at best. Still, watch for a young Dawson as the villain.