Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging (2008)

by Mark Murton

Starring: Benny and Jimmy

Director: Gurinder Chadha

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Eccentric but loveable Georgia (Georgia Groome) deals with the ups and downs of being a teenager.

Featured Feline: The titular Angus makes his first appearance sitting outside the family home during the opening credits.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus sitting on garbage can during opening credits

Inside the house Georgia opens the fridge to find Angus inside, put there by her younger sister, Libby (Eva Drew).

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus inside refrigerator

Libby dresses Angus up in a bib and bonnet . . .

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus in bib and bonnet being spoon fed by Libby Eva Drew

. . . as well as sticking a dummy in his mouth.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus with pacifier in mouth
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Libby Eva Drew sticking pacifier in Smokey Persian Angus mouth animated gif

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Looking for an excuse to talk to Robbie (Aaron Taylor-Young), the new boy at school that she fancies, Georgia visits the shop where he works and is delighted to find he too has a cat, a tabby he calls Jubbly.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - brown tabby cat Jubbly being held by Robbie Aaron Taylor-Young with Georgia Groome
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - brown tabby cat Jubbly being held by Robbie Aaron Taylor-Young with Georgia Groome

Georgia hatches a plan with her best friend Jaz (Eleanor Tomlinson) to fake the disappearance of Angus so that Robbie will agree to help find him and in the process spend time with her.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus on missing cat flyer

Things don’t go quite as planned when Jaz, walking Angus on a lead, is distracted by her attraction to Robbie’s brother Tom (Sean Bourke). Angus spots a poodle and takes chase.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus running across grass
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus jerking Jaz Eleanor Tomlinson off her seat and chasing poodle across park animated gif

Angus is captured by Tom just as Georgia and Robbie arrive on the scene.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus being carried out of bushes by Tom Sean Bourke
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus being carried out of bushes by Tom Sean Bourke animated gif
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus being carried by Georgia Groome with Jaz Eleanor Tomlinson

Later, the family, including Angus, see Georgia’s dad off as he leaves for a new job overseas.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus sitting on wall with George Groome, Libby Eva Drew and Karen Taylor

Angus’ next appearance is when Georgia comes home from school to find Libby has dressed him in a bridal outfit!

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus dressed as bride by Libby Eva Drew

Angus comforts Georgia as she ponders her future.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus lying on bed with Georgia Groome

Georgia’s mother (Karen Taylor) comforts her in the kitchen while Libby is dressing Angus in spaghetti!

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus being draped with spaghetti by Libby Eva Drew with Georgia Groome and Karen Taylor

When Georgia’s 15th birthday arrives, Angus watches on as she’s awoken by her mother and sister bringing her a cake.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus on bed as Georgia Groome is being given birthday cake by Libby Eva Drew and mom Karen Taylor

Georgia’s mum and school friends have arranged a surprise party for her where Robbie’s band, the Stiff Dylans, play live, with Robbie sporting an Angus t-shirt as the film heads for its feel-good conclusion.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus on t-shirt reading Angus Rocks worn by Robbie Aaron Taylor-Young

Angus makes one final appearance, again in the kitchen in fancy dress courtesy of Libby.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus dressed as cowboy

Behind the Scenes

Angus was played by two Smokey Persian cats named Benny and Jimmy. The cat actors were supplied by Birds and Animals UK, with Esther Kelly and Mark Vaughan acting as Animal Wranglers. Julie Tottman also worked with the cats on the film, as mentioned in her book Superstar Cats.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus

The cat actors show extreme patience in being dressed up in costumes. They are also very talented, which is obvious in the scene when Angus is chasing the poodle . . . this is done in a wide shot with both the dog and cat present as well as the actors in the background. Usually the cat scenes are shot completely separately using edits to put the other animal and human actors into the scene. Cat actor Benny even made an appearance at the film’s premiere, held by director Gurinder Chadha.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus in park

In the book (titled Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging) Angus was a mixed-breed (half domestic tabby and half Scottish Wildcat) and just one of four cats owned by the character Georgia.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging - book cover with cat Angus

Posters were even printed with the “Angus Rocks” logo seen on Robbie’s t-shirt.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Smokey Persian Angus Rocks poster

Final Mewsings: Just because cats let you dress them up it doesn’t mean they enjoy it!

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