Son of Rambow

Garth Jennings, France, UK, Germany, 2007, 96 minutes

The early 1980s are the backdrop to an unlikely friendship based on shared ambition of creating a sequel to ‘Rambo: First Blood’, developing between sweet and well behaved Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) and loud and troublesome Lee Carter (Will Poulter). Will is a fellow of the Plymouth Brethren and as such is discouraged from listening to music and forbidden from watching films. However, having spied an illicit glimpse of the action in ‘Rambo’ his imagination is caught and he agrees to help Lee Carter with a spot of amateur filmmaking. Will’s mother (Jessica Hynes née Stevenson) despairs whilst simultaneously facing down pressure from her community to remarry. The boys’ emerging friendship is sensitively and maturely portrayed with moments of genuine hilarity and joy as well as friction and tensions breaking the surface. It’s weirdly like being that age again where the issues are deadly serious and schoolyard betrayals can convincingly cut you deep.

I have to say that I am a particular fan due to the opening and closing scenes being shot in my local cinema (I exclaimed and pointed when I saw it first, how uncool…) but this film deserves to be viewed for so many other reasons: for the understated acting, the delightful story, for somehow recapturing an essence of schooldays and summer holidays and for being so darn funny and quirky at times without ever being too corny or sentimental. And I promise to keep my trap shut about how amazing ‘The Rex’ is during the screening.

While simultaneously celebrating the ‘magic of Hollywood’ (bleh) and the fascination the boys hold for their idol, their innocent and creative imaginings act as something of an antidote to the majority of the film industry. Son of Rambow is an incredibly charming and heart warming film. Garth Jennings has produced a gem that will appeal to anyone who has fallen in love with a particular flick or just films in general. You’ll leave with a smile on your face, guaranteed!

Review by Emma Pattinson
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2007