Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging ***
ANGUS, Thongs And Perfect Snogging tries hard to be likeable and infectious and mostly succeeds thanks to the engaging efforts of the cast, instead of the rather cringy script, co-written by director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham).
Adapted from a best-selling teen novel, the story charts the efforts of insecure 14-year-old Georgia (Georgia Groome) to catch the eye of “lush” new boy Robbie – a quest that sees her sign up for some rather yucky snogging practice with a Hugh Grant-worshipping classmate.
It’s brightly shot in Eastbourne and the cast, especially Groome and Eleanor Tomlinson as her best pal, are terrific.
But it’s not very funny, lacking the wit of a Clueless or Mean Girls and stumbles in the third act with a poorly plotted ending.
(12A, 100mins)