Angus is a large, pathetic 14-year-old whose thoughts are most often filled with the image of only one girl, Melissa Lefevre. Angus is shy and thinks that he has no chance of ever 'getting' her. Being especially uncool, he is incredibly surprised (along with the rest of the school) that he is chosen to dance with her at the Winter Ball. The only one not surprised is the cool kid who set him up to fail, but Angus' best friend is going to help him win the heart of Melissa by developing a new look for him
Writing
Crisp dialogue before studio interference softened edges.
Acting
Kathy Bates and George C. Scott carrying every scene.
Practical Effects
The inflatable doll sequence—practical effects peak '90s.
Director
Patrick Read Johnson
Charlie Talbert
Angus Bethune
Kathy Bates
Meg Bethune
Chris Owen
Troy Wedberg
James Van Der Beek
Rick Sandford
Robert Curtis Brown
Alexander
George C. Scott
Grandpa Ivan
Kevin Connolly
Andy
Tony Denman
Kid
Yvette Freeman
Science Teacher
Perry Anzilotti
Tuxedo Salesman
Rita Moreno
Madame Rulenska
Irvin Kershner
Mr. Stoff
Ariana Richards
Melissa Lefevre
Anna Thomson
April Thomas
James Keane
Coach
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
John Hughes wrote the original draft but demanded his name be removed after studio rewrites softened the edge. His credit: Edmond Dantès.
The film bombed in 1995 but became a stealth cult classic precisely because it refused the typical 'loser gets hot' trajectory—Angus wins by refusing to perform normalcy.
US
