Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging is a 2008 British coming-of-age romantic comedy film directed by Gurinder Chadha.[1] Loosely adapted from the first two books in Louise Rennison's Confessions of Georgia Nicolson young adult series—Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (1999) and It's OK, I'm Wearing Really Big Knickers! (2000)—the film centers on 14-year-old Georgia Nicolson as she navigates the awkwardness of teenage life, including her infatuation with a boy named Robbie, strained family relationships, and the bonds of her close-knit group of friends known as the Ace Gang.[2][1] The story is presented through Georgia's humorous and candid diary entries, capturing the joys, insecurities, and mishaps of adolescence with a focus on British youth culture.[3] The film features a talented ensemble cast, led by Georgia Groome as the quirky and imaginative Georgia Nicolson, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson portraying her love interest Robbie Jennings, a member of the local band the Stiff Dylans.[3] Supporting roles include Alan Davies as Georgia's father Bob, Karen Taylor as her mother Connie, and Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgia's best friend Jas, alongside other young actors such as Georgia Henshaw, Kimberley Nixon, and Tommy Bastow.[3] Chadha co-wrote the screenplay with Paul Mayeda Berges, Will McRobb, and Chris Viscardi, blending elements from Rennison's epistolary novels into a lighthearted narrative filled with slapstick humor and relatable teen dilemmas.[1] Produced by Nick Morris, Julia Blackman, and Gurinder Chadha under Bend It Films and other companies, the film premiered in the United Kingdom on 25 July 2008 and was distributed by Paramount Pictures.[3] It achieved commercial success, grossing approximately $14.9 million worldwide, with the majority of its earnings—over £6.6 million—coming from the UK market, where it ranked in the top 40 films of the year.[4] Critically, it holds a 73% approval rating from 26 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its witty portrayal of British teen life and strong performances from its young cast, though some noted its formulaic elements compared to similar films like Bend It Like Beckham, also directed by Chadha.[1] The audience score stands at 71% based on over 10,000 ratings, reflecting its enduring appeal as a nostalgic comedy for young viewers.[1]Premise and Characters
Plot
The film centers on 14-year-old Georgia Nicholson, a British teenager in Eastbourne who is deeply self-conscious about her appearance, particularly her prominent nose and "olive" complexion of pale skin and dark hair, leading her to obsess over transforming into a more conventionally attractive "goddess."[5] Georgia documents her thoughts and insecurities in a diary, navigating the challenges of adolescence while dealing with family pressures, including her father's potential job relocation to New Zealand that could force the family to emigrate and separate her from her life in England.[5] Her wild Scottish cat, Angus, adds to the household chaos by exhibiting aggressive behavior, such as attacking and decapitating the neighbor's pampered Siamese cat, which escalates tensions with the elderly neighbors and underscores Georgia's sense of impending disruption.[5] At school, Georgia and her close-knit group of friends—Jas, Ellen, and Rosie—encounter two new transfer students from London: the handsome brothers Robbie and Tom.[5] Georgia instantly fixates on Robbie as her ideal romantic interest, nicknaming him her "sex god," but discovers he is already dating the school's stunning and confident Lindsay, prompting Georgia to devise elaborate schemes to catch his attention, such as altering her wardrobe, practicing snogging techniques with Jas, and joining the youth theatre to appear more mature.[1] Friendship strains emerge as Jas develops a crush on Tom, leading to jealousy and conflicts, especially after Georgia mistakenly kisses Tom at a social gathering, believing him to be Robbie in the dim light, which temporarily fractures their bond.[5] Georgia's home life complicates her pursuits when she suspects her mother, Connie, of having an affair with the charming next-door neighbor Jem while her father, Bob, is away on business, forcing Georgia to confront adult betrayals and mediate family tensions alongside caring for her quirky younger sister, Libby.[5] In an effort to impress Robbie, Georgia organizes her 15th birthday party as a glamorous event, but it devolves into comedy when she arrives in a makeshift "stuffed olive" costume to camouflage her nose—unaware it's a themed dress-up affair—resulting in awkward encounters, including a failed snogging attempt where her tights get painfully stuck around her thighs, and Angus's escape causing further pandemonium by terrorizing guests.[5] Amid these embarrassments, Georgia experiments with dating Dave, a humorous classmate known as "the Laugh," providing light relief but highlighting her unresolved feelings for Robbie, while she and Jas reconcile after Jas dates Tom, teaching Georgia about loyalty and miscommunication in friendships.[5] Through repeated humiliations, such as botched makeovers and public faux pas, Georgia begins to mature, gaining insight into self-acceptance and the superficiality of her initial obsessions.[5] The narrative culminates at the school concert, where Georgia performs boldly with her friends in a musical revue, shedding her insecurities to embrace her authentic self; Robbie, moved by her performance, rejects Lindsay and shares a passionate, "perfect" kiss with Georgia, affirming her growth from a doubtful teen to a confident young woman who values genuine connections over idealized perfection.[5]Cast
The principal cast of Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging centers on a youthful ensemble portraying the Nicolson family and Georgia's circle of friends and romantic interests. Georgia Groome leads as the titular Georgia Nicolson, a 14-year-old navigating teenage awkwardness, in what marked her debut in a leading film role.[6][7] Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Robbie Jennings, the charming older boy who becomes Georgia's primary crush.[6] Eleanor Tomlinson portrays Jas, Georgia's loyal but quirky best friend.[6] Alan Davies embodies Bob Nicolson, Georgia's affable father struggling with family dynamics.[6] Karen Taylor depicts Connie Nicolson, Georgia's mother, bringing comedic energy to the parental role.[6] Supporting roles enrich the film's teen-centric world. Liam Hess appears as Peter, a schoolmate entangled in Georgia's social schemes.[6] Tommy Bastow plays Dave the Laugh, the wisecracking friend providing comic relief among Georgia's peers.[8] Georgia Henshaw takes on Rosie, another member of Georgia's friend group.[9] Kimberley Nixon is cast as Lindsay, Robbie's girlfriend and a source of rivalry.[10] The family cat, Angus—a Scottish wildcat in the story—is portrayed by two Persian cats, Benny and Jimmy, without a voiced performance.[11]| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Groome | Georgia Nicolson | Lead debut performance |
| Aaron Taylor-Johnson | Robbie Jennings | Georgia's love interest |
| Eleanor Tomlinson | Jas | Georgia's best friend |
| Alan Davies | Bob Nicolson | Father |
| Karen Taylor | Connie Nicolson | Mother |
| Liam Hess | Peter | School peer |
| Tommy Bastow | Dave the Laugh | Comic sidekick |
| Georgia Henshaw | Rosie | Friend |
| Kimberley Nixon | Lindsay | Rival |