''Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'' (also known as ''Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging'') is a 2008

teen Adolescence () is a transitional stage of human Developmental biology, physical and psychological Human development (biology), development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood (typically corresponding to the age o ...

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a sub-genre of comedy and Romance novel, romance fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount all obstacles. Ro ...

film co-written and directed by

Gurinder Chadha Gurinder Kaur Chadha, (born 10 January 1960) is a Kenyan-born British film director of Indian origin. Most of her films explore the lives of Indians living in England. The common theme in her work showcases the trials of Indian women residing ...

, based on the

young adult In medicine and the social sciences, a young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence, sometimes with some overlap. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages ...

novels '' Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging'' (1999) and '' It's OK, I'm Wearing Really Big Knickers'' (2000) by

Louise Rennison Louise Rennison (11 October 1951 – 29 February 2016) was an English author and comedian who wrote the '' Confessions of Georgia Nicolson'' series for teenage girls. The series records the exploits of a teenage girl, Georgia Nicolson, and her be ...

. The film stars

Georgia Groome Georgia Isobel Groome (born 11 February 1992) is an English actress. She is best known for her roles in the films ''London to Brighton'' (2006) and '' Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'' (2008). Early life Groome was born on 11 February 1992 i ...

Alan Davies Alan Roger Davies (; ; born 6 March 1966) is an English stand-up comedian, writer, actor and TV presenter. He is known for his portrayal of the title role in the BBC mystery drama series ''Jonathan Creek'' (1997–2016) and as the only permanen ...

, Karen Taylor, Aaron Johnson and

Eleanor Tomlinson Eleanor May Tomlinson (born 19 May 1992) is an English actress. She has appeared in films including '' Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'' (2008), ''Jack the Giant Slayer'' (2013), ''Colette'' (2018) and '' Love Wedding Repeat'' (2020). She al ...

. The plot follows 14-year-old Georgia Nicholson (Groome) as she tries to find a boyfriend while also organising her 15th birthday party.

Plot

Fourteen-year-old Georgia Nicolson lives in

Eastbourne Eastbourne () is a town and seaside resort in East Sussex, on the south coast of England, east of Brighton and south of London. It is also a non-metropolitan district, local government district with Borough status in the United Kingdom, bor ...

with her parents Connie and Bob and younger sister Libby. She is insecure about her appearance and fears she will never have a boyfriend. On the first day of the new school term, Georgia and her friends Jas, Ellen and Rosie spot

fraternal twin Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of Twin Last Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two e ...

brothers Robbie and Tom Jennings, who have recently moved to Eastbourne from London. Georgia and Jas decide to approach the brothers in their mother's organic foodshop, where they work. Jas is quickly enamored with Tom and Georgia strikes up a conversation with Robbie. However, they soon discover that Robbie is dating Lindsay, the most popular girl in school and Georgia's archrival. After learning that Robbie likes cats, Georgia pretends that her cat Angus has gone missing and asks Robbie for help finding him. Jas has Angus on a leash in the park, but he escapes and Tom rescues him just as Georgia and Robbie arrive. Robbie leaves to spend time with Lindsay and Tom asks Jas on a date, after which they become a couple. Bob moves to New Zealand after receiving a promotion, while the rest of the family stays in England. During his absence, Connie hires a handsome

interior decorator Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. With a keen eye for detail and a creative flair, an interior ...

, Jem, to redo the living room, and begins to spend increasingly longer periods of time with him, prompting Georgia to worry about the state of her parents' marriage. Determined to impress Robbie, Georgia takes "

snogging Making out is a term of American origin dating back to at least 1949, and is used to refer to kissing, including extended French kissing or ''necking'' (heavy kissing of the neck, and above), or to acts of non-penetrative sex such as heavy ...

lessons" from a classmate, Peter, who becomes infatuated with her. When Peter tries to kiss Georgia at a party, he embarrasses her in front of Robbie (who later assumes that Georgia and Peter are a couple), Lindsay, Jas and Tom. In order to evade Peter, Georgia lies to him about being a lesbian. When Tom invites Jas to go swimming with him and Robbie, Georgia tags along. While in the pool, Robbie and Georgia kiss. Before leaving, Robbie promises to call Georgia later. After not hearing from Robbie in a while, Georgia is heartbroken. She decides to make Robbie jealous, hoping he will realise his feelings for her. She invites Robbie's best friend, Dave, to a concert by Robbie's band, the

Stiff Dylans The Stiff Dylans were a British rock band. History The Stiff Dylans found fame after being featured in Gurinder Chadha's 2008 Paramount Pictures film '' Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'' and performing several songs on the soundtrack.

. Seeing Georgia and Dave dancing and laughing, Robbie tries to talk to her but is stopped by Lindsay. At school, Dave confronts Georgia about using him to make Robbie jealous. Upon learning what Georgia did to Dave, Robbie severs ties with her. Georgia discovers it was Jas who accidentally leaked this information. After Georgia kicks Jas in the shin during an argument, they vow never to speak to each other again. Shortly afterwards, Robbie tells Georgia he was considering breaking up with Lindsay before becoming involved with her, but now he is disappointed with her recent behaviour. Devastated, Georgia decides that she would like to move to New Zealand. She stops by her father's workplace and tearfully vents to the receptionist, telling her that she does not want her family to be apart from each other. She later goes to the beach, knowing Robbie would be there, and apologises to him. Robbie reveals he ended things with Lindsay and admits he still likes Georgia. On Georgia's 15th birthday, Connie takes her to a nightclub for the first time. The place initially seems empty, but Georgia's friends and family soon arrive to reveal a surprise birthday party, which Jas secretly organised with Connie. Georgia and Jas make amends. Bob returns from New Zealand, having accepted a new job opportunity in Eastbourne. It is revealed that Jem is gay and his boyfriend owns the club. While the Stiff Dylans are performing the song "

Ultraviolet Ultraviolet radiation, also known as simply UV, is electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths of 10–400 nanometers, shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight and constitutes about 10% of ...

", which Robbie wrote about Georgia, Lindsay arrives from her own birthday party (which no one attended) and demands that Robbie choose between her and Georgia. He chooses Georgia, kissing her onstage. Jas pulls out Lindsay's breast pads and tosses them into the crowd, prompting Lindsay to storm off. Ultimately, Georgia realises she does not need to change her appearance, as Robbie likes her the way she is.

Cast

as Georgia Nicolson, a 14-year-old girl who pursues Robbie romantically * Aaron Johnson as Robbie Jennings, Georgia's love interest. He is in a band called the Stiff Dylans, and is initially Lindsay's boyfriend. * Karen Taylor as Connie Nicolson, Georgia's mother *

as Bob Nicolson, Georgia's father *

as Jas, Georgia's best friend who wants a boyfriend just as much as Georgia does. She begins a relationship with Tom, Robbie's fraternal twin brother. *

Georgia Henshaw Georgia Henshaw (born 11 July 1993) is a Welsh actress best known for her roles on British television. Among her leading roles have been those of Rosie, a member of "The Ace Gang" in '' Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'', and as JJ's love in ...

as Rosie, a member of the "Ace Gang" alongside Georgia, Jas and Ellen. She is the experienced one of the group as she already has a boyfriend named Sven. * Manjeeven Grewal as Ellen, another member of the "Ace Gang". She is the vulnerable one of the group. In the end, she is introduced properly to Dave by Georgia. *

Kimberley Nixon Kimberley Nixon (born 24 September 1985) is a Welsh actress. Nixon is known for her role as Sophy Hutton in the BBC One period drama '' Cranford'', and appearances in various films such as '' Wild Child'' and '' Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snoggi ...

as Lindsay Marlings, Robbie's initial girlfriend and Georgia's nemesis * Sean Bourke as Tom Jennings, Robbie's twin brother and later Jas' boyfriend * Tommy Bastow as Dave "the Laugh", one of Robbie's best friends, whom Georgia uses to make Robbie jealous. He and Ellen later dance and kiss. * Liam Hess as Peter Dyer, a charismatic boy in Georgia's class who notoriously gives girls lessons on how to kiss. He develops unrequited feelings for Georgia. * Eva Drew as Liberty "Libby" Nicolson, Georgia's eccentric five-year-old sister. She likes to dress up her cat Angus. * Steve Jones as Jem, an interior decorator hired by Connie to remodel her house * Imogen Bain as the headmistress *

Ingrid Oliver Ingrid Oliver (born 25 February 1977) is a British actress and comedian, and one half of the comic double act '' Watson & Oliver''. She played Petronella Osgood, a supporting character in the BBC television series ''Doctor Who''. Career Oliver ...

as Miss Stamp * Matt Brinkler as Sven, Rosie's crazy boyfriend and an exchange student from Sweden *

Heather Wright Heather Wright (born 1950) is an English actress, noted for her performances in film and television. Her film credits include '' Psychomania'' (1973), '' The Belstone Fox'' (1973), ''Shout at the Devil'' (1976) and ''Inseminoid'' (1981). On televi ...

as the receptionist *

Lizzie Roper Lizzie Roper (born November 1967) is a British actress. Career Trained at the Guildford School of Acting after gaining a degree in drama from Aberystwyth University. Lizzie fell into Comedy whilst performing with Lenny Beige at The Regency Roo ...

as Becky * Ray Shirley as the woman with the poodle *

as themselves * Benny and Jimmy as Angus, Georgia's cat

Production

Development

Chadha was originally brought into the project as a scriptwriter:

Filming

Most of the scenes were filmed on location in

Brighton Brighton ( ) is a seaside resort in the city status in the United Kingdom, city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England, south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze Age Britain, Bronze Age, R ...

and

. Others, such as the gig scene and some interiors and exteriors for Georgia's house, were filmed in and around

Ealing Studios Ealing Studios is a television and film production company and facilities provider at Ealing Green in west London, England. Will Barker bought the White Lodge on Ealing Green in 1902 as a base for film making, and films have been made on th ...

, London. Areas in nearby west London like Bishopshalt school in

Hillingdon Hillingdon is an area of Uxbridge within the London Borough of Hillingdon, centred 14.2 miles (22.8 km) west of Charing Cross. It was an ancient parish in Middlesex that included the market town of Uxbridge. During the 1920s the civil pari ...

and the Liquid nightclub in

Uxbridge Uxbridge () is a suburban town in west London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon, northwest of Charing Cross. Uxbridge formed part of the parish of Hillingdon in the county of Middlesex. As part ...

were used as well. Other sites include locations in

Teddington Teddington is an affluent suburb of London in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Historically an Civil parish#ancient parishes, ancient parish in the county of Middlesex and situated close to the border with Surrey, the district became ...

and

Twickenham Twickenham ( ) is a suburban district of London, England, on the River Thames southwest of Charing Cross. Historic counties of England, Historically in Middlesex, since 1965 it has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, who ...

. Costumes included green blazers and kilts borrowed from

St. Bede's Prep School Bede's School (until 2012 known as St Bede's School) consists of a preparatory school and pre-preparatory nursery in Holywell, Eastbourne, Holywell, Meads, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, as well as a senior school based in Upper Dicker, Hai ...

in Eastbourne, and props included Eastbourne's signature blue bins to add to the effect and continuity when filming in multiple locations.

Music

Some songs played in the film were not included on the soundtrack: # "Out of Time" –

# " You're the Best Thing" –

The Style Council The Style Council were an English pop band formed in Woking in 1982 by Paul Weller, the former lead vocalist, principal songwriter and guitarist with the rock band the Jam, and keyboardist Mick Talbot, previously a member of Dexys Midnight Ru ...

# "

Agadoo "Agadoo" is a novelty song recorded by the British band Black Lace in 1984. "Agadoo" peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart,E ...

" – Black Lace # "

True True most commonly refers to truth, the state of being in congruence with fact or reality. True may also refer to: Places * True, West Virginia, an unincorporated community in the United States * True, Wisconsin, a town in the United States * ...

" –

Spandau Ballet Spandau Ballet ( ) were an English new wave band formed in Islington, London, in 1979. Inspired by the capital's post-punk underground dance scene, they emerged at the start of the 1980s as the house band for the Blitz Kids (New Romantics), ...

# " I'm Your Man" –

Shane Richie Shane Patrick Paul Roche (born 11 March 1964), known as Shane Richie, is an English actor, comedian, presenter and singer. Following initial success as a stage and screen performer, he became best known for his portrayal of the character Alfie ...

# " Mr. Loverman" –

Shabba Ranks Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon OD (born 17 January 1966), better known by his stage name Shabba Ranks, is a Jamaican dancehall musician. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was one of the most popular Jamaican musicians in the world. Throu ...

# "

Dance wiv Me "Dance wiv Me" is a single by British rapper Dizzee Rascal, from his fourth studio album, ''Tongue n' Cheek''. It was released on 30 June 2008 and features guest vocals from Scottish musician Calvin Harris and British R&B singer Chrome. The ex ...

" –

Dizzee Rascal Dylan Kwabena Mills (born 18 September 1984), known professionally as Dizzee Rascal, is a British rapper and MC. He is often credited as a pioneer of British hip hop and grime music and was ranked by ''Complex'' as one of the greatest British ...

featuring

Calvin Harris Adam Richard Wiles (born 17 January 1984), known professionally as Calvin Harris (and sometimes under the stage name Love Regenerator), is a Scottish DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. His debut studio album, ''I Created Disco'' (2007 ...

and Chrome # "

Teenage Kicks "Teenage Kicks" is the debut single by Northern Irish punk rock band the Undertones. Written in the summer of 1977 by J.J. O'Neill, the band's rhythm guitarist and principal songwriter, the song was recorded on 15 June 1978 and initially rele ...

" –

Nouvelle Vague The New Wave (, ), also called the French New Wave, is a French art film movement that emerged in the late 1950s. The movement was characterized by its rejection of traditional filmmaking conventions in favor of experimentation and a spirit of i ...

# "Big Fish, Little Fish" – Nik Martin

Release

''Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'' was the first film produced by

Nickelodeon Movies Nickelodeon Movies Inc. is an American Filmmaking, film production company based in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California and owned by Paramount Global. Originally founded in 1995, it serves as both the film production division of Nickelodeon Pro ...

to receive a restrictive PG-13 rating. The film was not released theatrically in the United States, instead having its US premiere on

Nick at Nite Nick at Nite (stylized as nick@nite since 2009) is an American nighttime programming block on Nickelodeon. List of programs broadcast by Nick at Nite, The block's programming broadcasts from prime time to Late-night television, late night, with ...

and TeenNick, and was later released on DVD on 19 January 2010.

Reception

Box office

''Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'' grossed $10.6 million (£6.6 million) in the United Kingdom and had a worldwide gross of $14.9 million. It became the 42nd-highest-grossing film of 2008 in the UK.

Critical response

The film received positive reviews. Review aggregation website

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...

gives the film an approval rating of 73% based on reviews from 26 critics, with an average score of 5.9/10. The site's critics consensus states: "Based on two of British writer Louise Rennison's popular books, ''Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'' is a pleasant and funny tween comedy, comfortable for UK audiences as well as stateside crowds." Critics noted the strong central performance of

, who was praised for her "super-engaging" performance.

References

External links

*
''Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging''
at the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves filmmaking and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

BBC Slink goes behind the scenes of Angus Thongs...
A round of up videos from and about the film {{DEFAULTSORT:Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging 2008 films 2008 romantic comedy films 2000s American films 2000s British films 2000s English-language films 2000s German films 2000s coming-of-age comedy films 2000s teen comedy films 2000s teen romance films American romantic comedy films American teen comedy films American teen romance films British coming-of-age comedy films British romantic comedy films British teen comedy films British teen romance films Confessions of Georgia Nicolson English-language German films Films about bullying Films based on British novels Films based on multiple works of a series Films based on young adult literature Films directed by Gurinder Chadha Films produced by Lynda Obst Films set in East Sussex Films shot in East Sussex Films shot in London Films with screenplays by Paul Mayeda Berges Films with screenplays by Gurinder Chadha German romantic comedy films German teen comedy films Nickelodeon Movies films Films with screenplays by Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi English-language romantic comedy films