THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 29, 1995 TAG: 9509290040
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMAR ANITAI, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
IT SEEMS THAT today's movie screens are tainted by reels of worthless trash (i.e., ``National Lampoon's Senior Trip''). Rarely does a movie of great humanitarian value survive among its evil brothers. Themes of acceptance, alienation and personal risk are so rare that when they are properly executed on the screen, they are truly shocking.
This is why ``Angus,'' both the movie and the character for whom the film is named, is such an emotional trigger.
The plot is simple. Angus is an overweight high school freshman with a heart of gold. The butt of many cruel and obnoxious practical jokes, Angus suffers from low self-esteem. He longs to be what he considers ``normal,'' and to have, just for one brief second, his ``moment.'' It takes a practical joke - his rigged election as the Freshman Winter Ball King - to make him see clearly that ``normal'' is not always what it seems and that sometimes, in unexpected ways, nice guys really can end up winners.
This is ``Angus'' in a nutshell, but the theme of the movie goes miles below the surface to explore territories seldom entered by the entertainment industry. The themes of acceptance, of not fitting in and of wanting to be someone you're not are too often substituted for cheesy, unrealistic love stories set in France or movies about steroid-mongers with a death wish. These things are not real. The themes in ``Angus'' - growth, experience, loss, pain, triumph - are what real people experience every day. These themes make us who we are and rarely does a movie so effectively, so masterfully portray this.
Every element of ``Angus'' is brilliantly developed. Angus' relationships with his grandfather, his mother, his best friend and his enemies are the strength of the plot. The telling of the story (``Angus'' is a story more than a movie) in the first-person narrative adds to the effect.
The movie's use of humor to soften painful blows and the use of irony and subtle imagery contribute to the movie's realism.
The alternative/progressive soundtrack was particularly moving with choice selections highlighting key moments. The intensity of Mazzy Star's ``Fade Into You'' during the slow dance scene glorifies the importance of Angus's ``moment.'' The use of music became increasingly important as touching songs expressed the feelings and relevance of scenes that words cannot.
The cast of Angus was flawless. The cast includes Charles M. Talbert as Angus, George C. Scott, Kathy Bates and Chris Owen.
The precepts of ``Angus'' are age-old and their revival long overdue. The resilience of the human spirit is one of the most important qualities of life. Those who we model ourselves after or aspire to be can't be super heroes with cosmic abilities when heroes are as real as Angus. He is a true modern-day hero, and there is a little bit of ``Angus'' inside all of us. MEMO: ``Angus'' is rated PG-13. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Tamar Anitai is a senior at First Colonial High School.
NEW LINE CINEMA
Angus (Charlie Talbert), center, and his best friend (Chris Owen),
right, receive the surprise of their lives in ``Angus,'' a film
that's a real emotional trigger.
by CNB