Time can’t forget a film that’s only 13 years old, but new media sure can. Of all the films left in the DVD licensing lurch, the overlooked coming-of-age comedy “Angus” certainly is a strange case.
It stars three Oscar winners, albeit in small roles (Kathy Bates, Rita Moreno and George C. Scott). James Van Der Beek found his first film role here, and it has other recognizable faces in Ariana Richards (Lex from “Jurassic Park”), Chris Owen (“Shermanator” from “American Pie”) and Kevin Connolly (Eric from HBO’s “Entourage”), as Van Der Beek’s lackey. Plus, its punchy soundtrack encapsulates mid-1990s rock: Green Day, Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls and Smoking Popes.
“Angus” also is as winning and true a tale of high-school catharsis as any episode of “My So-Called Life,” “The Wonder Years” or “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” the several TV series on which screenwriter Jill Gordon cut her teeth.
And yet, not only is “Angus” unavailable on official DVDs, but where its rights reside is anyone’s guess. Its director, Patrick Read Johnson, has posted that New Line — which originally released “Angus” — sold the rights to the film several years ago, but the studio claims to not know the buyer.
“Angus” aired uncut last November on HDNet Movies (Comcast Cable Channel 949) and occasionally turns up in edited form on cable. Those who can catch it will see that what it lacks in original pubescent premise — tormented fat kid has his day in the sun — it makes up for with a tough-minded but fair approach to teenage angst.
Based on a short story by Chris Crutcher, “Angus” stars Charlie Talbert, an unknown whom Johnson met at a Wisconsin Wendy’s while taking a break from casting for the film’s lead. Angus Bethune is, as he says, “a cow’s name,” and he’s been big-boned since birth, when his mom (Bates) spent two days in labor. He’s parlayed it into being an offensive lineman in football, but there’s irony in his protection of quarterback Rick Sandford (Van Der Beek), Angus’s bullying nemesis.
Academically, Angus is a high-school freshman with a lot going for him; his scientific prowess has him in line for a top magnet school. But he yearns to start over anew, where no one knows him.
Angus can only assert himself on the field or with his fists, and Rick revels in pushing his buttons and playing practical jokes. Rick’s cruel coup de grace comes when he rigs votes to name Angus king of the freshman winter dance. His queen is Melissa Lefevre (Richards), Rick’s girlfriend and the object of Angus’s lifelong affections.
Embarrassment seems all but inevitable. Angus can’t dance. His face is frozen in a perpetual frown. A plum tuxedo is the shop’s only style left that will fit him. And, in his words, “I don’t sweat; I rain.” But with help from his curmudgeonly grandpa (Scott) and big-eared best friend, Troy (Owen), Angus learns that the advantage an everyman has on a Superman is that you can’t really be brave if you’re indestructible.
“Angus” has an adolescent authenticity only possible with actors whose adult teeth haven’t fully finished dropping. Coming off the execrable “Baby’s Day Out,” it suggested Johnson had matured into an earnest, honest storyteller. Yet, its $4-million gross wiped Johnson off the movie map until “5-25-77,” a “Star Wars” worship tale in as much limbo as the higher-profile “Fanboys.”
What’s “normal” in high school changes with each era. (Today’s teens watching “Angus” no doubt will chuckle at “cool guy” Van Der Beek’s haircut, the same sort of mistake many twentysomething guys made as teens in 1995.) Coming to grips with fighting that notion to find what you’re made of is a timeless struggle in which Gordon’s script avoids gooiness.
Talbert’s toe-to-toe dialogue with Scott is priceless (“You’re at an irritating age,” Grandpa barks. “So are you,” Angus retorts.). And as Angus builds momentum toward his “moment,” which he so desperately seeks, the movie offers up both a school-interview scene on par with “Risky Business” and the best-ever use of Mazzy Star’s overplayed “Fade Into You.” “Angus” is alive with the importance of tenacity — a virtue its fans should exercise to get this fine film on DVD.
Nick Rogers can be reached at 747-9587. Read his blog at blogs.sj-r.com/unpaintedhuffhines.
Angus
Rated: PG-13
Available on: VHS (if you can find it) and occasionally on TV
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