Son of Rambow
Rated: PG-13
I would be very surprised if this film didn't land somewhere in my list of Top 10 Films of 2008. The film is not only humorous and heartwarming, but absolutely nails childhood friendships and the joy of filmmaking before you're old enough to ignore possibilities and imagination. Set in England in the early 80s, Son of Rambow follows two boys: the trouble-making swindler Lee Carter (Will Poulter) and the overwhelmingly creative but socially stifled Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner). Will's fateful viewing of Lee's bootlegged copy of First Blood lead the two to make their own movie called "Son of Rambow" and how their friendship evolves as they make the film and how that friendship is challenged as more kids want to be involved with the film. Son of Rambow could have easily been cloying and manipulative. But filmmakers Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith (AKA Hammer & Tongs) have put authenticity first and because they've cast such genuine kids instead of stage brats, they get the performances that are mandatory for this film to work. But it's not enough that the film “works” but that it lives and breaths. The stellar use of animation, costuming, direction, character development, and themes of friendship, love, loss, and creativity are what make Son of Rambow a special film and one I can't wait to see again. Words by |