Son of Rambow

By: The Dweeb

August 2008

DVD Features Video:1.85:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Commentary track by the director, producer, and cast members Bill Milner and Will Poulter Making of Son Of Rambow Short film contest winner Garth’s Short Film: “Aron” Theatrical release: 4/4/2008 DVD released on 8/26/2008 by Paramount Running time of 95 minutes Starring: Bill Milner, Will Poulter Director: Garth Jennings Plot: Will Proudfoot is looking for an escape from his family’s stifling home life when he encounters Lee Carter, the school bully.  Armed with a video camera and a copy of Rambo: First Blood, Lee plans to make cinematic history by filming his own action-packed video epic.  Together, these two newfound friends-turned-budding-filmmakers quickly discover that their imaginative—and sometimes mishap-filled—cinematic adventure has begun to take on a life of its own.

Director Garth Jennings and producer Nick Goldsmith after completing the adaptation of Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, decided to go back and finish a pet project based on Garth’s own childhood experiences that was languishing for quite some time. Son Of Rambow is the result, a cute, often funny tale of two English school boys who decide they want to make a film based on the classic Stallone flick Rambo:First Blood and enter it in the BBC contest for aspiring young filmmakers. This is definitely an independent film that made the rounds of the festival circuit last year, and feels like an English version of a Wes Anderson movie, almost. Certainly it does feel like I’m watching the younger, less quirkier version of Rushmore and it is missing Bill Murray.  The film is decidedly an English project, which makes it interesting to see two English boys trying to emulate something that is considered completely American. Still, it is enjoyable and light hearted filled with some great characters, and the film spends a great deal of time bringing to life for us a young boys imagination which only adds more charm to the story. I would think most any person could relate to these kids, one would hope anyway.

The story focuses on two boys who come from the opposite side of the tracks as it were. Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner), a naive, shy, sheltered child from a strict religious family encounters and eventually secretly befriends the worst behaved kid in school, Lee (Will Poulter) who enlists him in being the stuntman on a secret film project of his. Lee wants to create his own version of Rambo, and initially takes advantage of Will because he doesn’t know any better. His family belongs to a strict religious order, the Brethren, which his mother forbids and discourages outside contact with others. They are sort of like the Amish but they do not completely isolate themselves from society, Will still goes to public school. This new found friendship allows Will’s personality to blossom, and eventually he takes creative control of the film, with some resistance from Lee. As with any secret project, once others find out about it because Will has a big mouth everyone wants in on the production, which then leaves Lee out in the cold. He has lost control of his little movie.  I felt genuinely bad for him. Although he is a bully and a pain to teachers everywhere, his home life sucks naturally, the only thing he holds most dear has been taken away from him.

Both of these characters are portrayed by some first time actors which really surprised me. These two kids are fantastic for never having been in front of the camera. Take note film industry, they both have a future. I suppose it did help that they formed a friendship in real life while filming, so the interaction was genuine and made for some great chemistry. Will Poulter reminds me of a very young River Phoenix in British form and Bill could be the younger brother of Freddie Highmore. Another character of note is French exchange student Didier Revol (Jules Sitruk) who basically takes over the school and for me even steals this movie. This Flock Of Seagulls wannabe thinks he’s a rock star, and has the kids at the school in the palm of his hand. Lee is the only one who doesn’t fall for his charms. At the end even the other French students think he’s an idiot, and put him back in his place.  Some of the classic moments that put this film a bit over the top involve this guy.

The packaging for the movie is fairly standard, not surprising as this is an indie movie with a limited budget and there are no big name actors to pamper and puff up on here. Of the extra materials on here the Making Of the movie provides the most interest. Its an honest approach to the making of the film, quite lengthy and done in a documentary style. You’ll see that the production office is on a boat in a river? At least the rent must be cheap. But it is enjoyable to watch the director and his young actors recap their experiences in making this film. Also included are some short films similar to what was trying to be accomplished in the movie.

Oddly enough, Paramount has decided to limit the release of this film to retail and rental outlets. You can of course rent the film from anywhere, but if you want to actually purchase the film you can only do this through Best Buy. No other retailer will have this in stock, online or brick and mortar. Really an odd thing to do which I hope will change in the future. Why limit the exposure of this film to one outlet? This is a decent movie! A good one actually compared to some of the dreck being pumped out these days. Those should be limited to one store, not this film!

Reviewer’s Opinion: RENT IT!!