Review of Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008) by Maybelline T — 09 Dec 2010

In "Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging," 14-year old Georgia(Georgia Groome), dreaming of a huge birthday party at a nightclub, is scarred for life by having to watch her parents(Karen Taylor & Alan Davies) kiss in front of her. Well, at least she won't have that problem after her father gets a promotion that lands him in New Zealand. Georgia feels her own record on kissing is woefully inadequate, fearing she may go her whole life without doing the act. But things are looking up when brothers Robbie(Aaron Johnson) and Tom(Sean Bourke), older boys, transer to her school. Georgia's best friend Jas(Eleanor Tomlinson) gets off to a fast start by dating Tom but Robbie is already spoken for by Lindsay(Kimberley Nixon), padded bra and all.

"Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging" is almost a cautionary tale about never picking a movie solely based on its title. As winning as the movie is(especially in its opening sequence and Aaron Johnson's charisma) and full of good will, it still succumbs to predictability in an overblown climax that stretches credibility to the max while settling all scores with little to do with who is truly deserving, no matter what the movie may think. That's sad, considering these teenaged characters may think they are ready for adulthood but still have a lot to learn about adults and the world around them. Regardless, they should not read self help books for research.(Come to think of it, neither should adults.) And, oh, that poor cat!