When Angus, Thongs And Perfect Snogging (ATPS) took to screens in 2008, teenage girls were quick to revere it as sacred. Georgia Groome, who played lead Georgia Nicolson, was a rarity to be found in teen cinema. She didn’t fit the stereotype of fair-haired, blue-eyed or super-thin. She looked like a normal girl and that’s what really sparked the fandom. All of us could have been Georgia Nicolson.
It’s no surprise to learn that the film’s director, Gurinder Chadha, was also behind the nostalgic masterpiece Bend It Like Beckham. ATPS wasn’t Chadha’s first rodeo – she’d perfectly executed the underdog in her football film and nailed it once again for her second smash hit.
The difference was that ATPS was loaded with so much relatable content I’m overwhelmed just thinking about it all. The way the film captures our growing pains is why it resonates with women well into their 20s. At the very least the film will inspire flashbacks of all the embarrassing sh*t you did while attempting to “grow up.”
Typical hetero love-chase aside, there’s no denying the power of these moments:
The Olive Costume
The olive costume scene in ATPS is almost as iconic as Heath Ledger’s smile in 10 Things I Hate About You. The film kicks off with Georgia rocking up to a fancy dress party fully-clad as a papier-mâché stuffed olive while everyone else is dressed as cute angels, devils and fairies. With a sunken heart she says, “…but we said we’d all go as hors d’oeuvres to be original.” Oh, Georgia.
Flashback: rocking up to a party only to realise that you’ve taken the theme a bit too seriously. Alternatively, that time you went HAM on a Book Week costume because your mum reassured, “darling, it’s not too much,” when it is most definitely was.
The “Fresh Start” Bedroom Rearrangement
Amidst her desperate ploy to get a hot dude’s attention Georgia acts like a bit of a tool. She says a few uncalled-for things to her friends and said hot guy sees through her immature attempt to make him jealous. Georgia wallows in the fact that she’s acted like an ass, then decides it’s time to “start over.” She completely redecorates her room, takes up yoga, starts listening to whale sounds and decides to get blonde streaks. Sound familiar?
Flashback: you’ve just gone through a ‘breakup’ and decide to cut all your hair off to rid the memories of your ex. You start going to the gym to rebuild self-esteem only to completely stop once you’ve finally gotten over your past flame.
The Shaved Eyebrow And Cheese Twisties Legs
Gracefully, Georgia decides to shave the space between her eyebrows to remove any trace of a mono, only to slip over and shave half of her brow altogether. In another scene, she goes to the local pool and runs into her crush. To prep, she fake tans on her legs and they turn completely orange, resembling cheese Twisties.
Flashback: you’ve decided to cut your own bangs and it’s gone horribly wrong. You’re experiencing deep regret and you try your hardest to hide the mess with 6-8 bobby pins. Everyone notices anyway. Alternatively, you’re going through a rebellious phase and get your nipple pierced as a ‘stuff you’ to your conservative parents, or you let some random dude give you a tattoo in his backyard. You’re now forever inked with a sunflower, love heart or the words “carpe diem.”
Angus Thongs And Perfect Snogging was an awkward cinematic triumph. Take it from us: a re-watch will do wonders for the soul.