DVD
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Director: Gurinder Chadha

BIG Home Video, Rs 499/-

From the director who gave us Bend It Like Beckham and Bride & Prejudice comes a slapstick, real life adventure on the perils of coming-of-age. The movie revolves Georgia (Georgia Groome), whose aim in life is much the same as that of any other 14-year-old. She's a high school student who goes all out to make herself attractive, fall in love and be the envy of all around. Her parents are however unsure of what she wants to do with her life and pick on her for anything she does to be seen as a grown-up. Lastly she desperately wants to celebrate her fifteenth birthday in a club.

On her first day of school Georgia and her friends, Jas (Eleanor Tomlinson), Ellen (Manjeeven Grewal) and Rosie (Georgia Henshaw), who make up the Ace Gang, spot brothers Robbie (Aaron Johnson) and Tom (Sean Bourke). Georgia is besotted by Robbie who is sadly attached to her rival Lindsay (Kimberley Nixon). What ensues is entertaining as well as amusing. There's the missing cat episode (where Angus comes in), the sight of thongs on the shapely Lindsay, Georgia falling out with her three buddies, and in her attempt to “grow up” for Robbie, taking "snogging (kissing) lessons".

With all this happening Georgia's father moves to New Zealand for a new job and plans to take the family along soon. Georgia's mum hires a handsome builder to re-do her home. Sparks fly, misunderstandings erupt. Will Georgia get Robbie and celebrate her birthday the way she wants it?

Besides the well produced film, Gurinder Chadha has spent a considerable amount of time on the soundtrack which is young and friendly. The Stiff Dylans give an excellent performance on Ultraviolet. Targeted at young teenage girls as well as boys, the film excels on the humorous, dramatic as well quieter moments, with the fresh cast, minus all the gloss, giving stellar performances. It's the message at the end of the film that stands out loud and clear. Look out for it!