Son of Rambow

Although an undeniably British film, set in the glorious 80s, Son of Rambow is reminiscent of some of the great American film classics made in the 80s, such as Flight of the Navigator, E.T. and Weird Science; all of those wonderful films that were filled with the wonderment of pre-teen lads on adventures. Although Son of Rambow is without the aliens of these other films, it certainly has the same special qualities.

Lee Carter (Will Poulter) is a little tearaway, who manages to blackmail Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner), a boy from a strict Plymouth Brethren family, to do his bidding. Never permitted to watch television, Will is captivated and transformed entirely by a pirate copy of Rambo: First Blood. The two then set about making their own homage to Rambo with Lee Carter’s video equipment.

There is something Stand By Me-esque about the friendship that develops between the two young boys. Lee Carter has been abandoned by his parents and lives in an old people’s home with his older brother, who he idolises, but who pays him no attention at all.  Will’s father died years ago, and so he lives in a pre-modern austere household with his strictly religious mother and her new suitor. Together, these two lost little souls find a bit of solace in each other, and their developing bond is great to watch. Will calls Lee by his full name, which is a really nice way of conveying his fascination with and respect for his new wild spirited friend. Both young actors are incredible. They are so fresh-faced and innocent, and brilliant actors for their young age.

The script is absolutely spot on, in places tender and in others laugh out loud funny. The film hits an emotional resonance; you feel the boys’ excitement when watching the illegal copy of Rambo, and you root for their determined resourcefulness re-creating the film. When Lee Carter’s brother is horrid to him, you feel it. When Will shouts at his mother’s suitor, you want him to get away with it.

Moreover, the film is not at all predictable. It has some great random sub-plots, the funniest of which being the adored and revered French Exchange student Didier (Jules Sitruk), and his ennui kissing all of the English girls in school, and his band of geeky followers who copy his hairstyle.

I thought that this film may get overlooked by bigger releases, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the coverage this film has so far garnered. It’s a really powerful film that will be the talking point of this weekend.

[Reviewed and posted by KC]

Son of Rambow is released in UK cinemas today.