New action-thriller film “Bullet Train” is on its press tour, and while most people are obsessing over Brad Pitt’s outfits, we can’t stop thinking about one particular member of the star-studded cast. Alongside Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Bad Bunny, and Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays the role of Tangerine. If you’re thinking you’ve seen him before but can’t quite place where, think back to your teenage years.
Any Brit who grew up in the Noughties will instantly recognise Taylor-Johnson as Robbie Jennings in “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging” where he stole the hearts of thousands. Despite the 32-year-old’s impressive list of acting roles, including appearing in “Kick-Ass” and Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, it was his 2008 character that earned him heart-throb status.
“Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging”, which also starred Georgia Nicolson (who now has a child with “Harry Potter” actor Rupert Grint), Eleanor Tomlinson from “Poldark”, and British comedian Alan Davies, was a real coming-of-age film. As such, Taylor-Johnson’s face was plastered on bedroom walls and inside school lockers up and down the nation as he played the love interest. There was a lot of fanfare around the film and its devotees were disappointed that a sequel was never released, especially considering it was based on Louise Rennison’s series of young adult novels.
Nonetheless, the precious film became a sleepover staple. In unison, we drooled over Taylor-Johnson, his London accent, bass-playing abilities, and sweepy fringe. We laughed, cried, and rejoiced when Robbie chose relatable and hilarious Georgia over popular but nasty Lindsay. “Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging” is iconic and perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the mid-2000s.
Taylor-Johnson mastered the teenage rom-com in this role, and went on to win a Golden Globe Award for his supporting role in “Nocturnal Animals” in 2017. He also starred in “Anna Karenina”, “Godzilla”, “A Million Little Pieces”, and “The King’s Man”. The Buckinghamshire born star has achieved a lot since his teenage rom-com days. He married director Sam Taylor-Wood, who he met on the set of “Nowhere Boy” when he was 18, in 2012. The couple now have two daughters and two stepdaughter’s from Taylor-Wood’s previous marriage. Desperate to catch a glimpse of a grown up Robbie? “Bullet Train” is out in cinemas from 4 August, 2022. Thank you for being such a huge part of our teenage years, Taylor-Johnson. We can’t wait to see what you do next.
