ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

WHERE WERE you in the Summer of 1982? If you were a film fan there’s a chance you might have been heading off to see Sylvester Stallone as the indestructible John Rambo in First Blood. Memories of that film and its unexpected influence on two schoolboys provide the backdrop to Son of Rambow, a sweet-natured, endearing slice of whimsy that is set to become one of the hit British films of the year.

Based on the childhood experiences of writer/director Garth Jennings, Son of Rambow tells the story of ten year-old Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner). Will is a bright, imaginative kid who has been raised as a member of the Plymouth Brethern. He is not allowed to watch television, go to the cinema or listen to pop music.

He is befriended by school bully Lee Carter (Will Poulter) who exposes him to the delights of First Blood. A glimpse of Stallone’s misunderstood military martyr is like applying a match to some fireworks. Will is entranced and inspired and is only too happy to become the star of Lee’s attempt to make their own Rambo film on VHS and enter it for a competition on BBC’s Screen Test.

Son of Rambow is a sunny celebration of childhood friendship that unfolds in a mixture of slapstick comedy and heartfelt emotion. It does feel a little juvenile and wayward in places, especially with the arrival of some French exchange students and ultra cool Didier (Jules Sitruk).

However, it has a charm and sincerity that are completely disarming, and deals with the darker side of the boys’ lives in a way that is never heavy-handed. Son of Rambow is deceptively lightweight but glows with enough laughter and heart to win you over.

Nationwide release

Director: Garth Jennings
Stars: Bill Miner, Will Poulter, Jessica Hynes, Neil Dudgeon, Ed Westwick, Eric Sykes
Screenwriter: Garth Jennings
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 95 mins
Country: UK
Year: 2007

© Allan Hunter, 2008