“Son of Rambow”: Not Just Child’s Play

Son of Rambow
Paramount Vantage
Starring Bill Milner and Will Poulter
Rated PG-13 for some violence and reckless behavior
95 minutes

Warning: The following review contains vocabulary words that may require a dictionary. You have been warned.

I went into Son of Rambow being given the following comment: “It’s boring, and it’s crap.” Needless to say my expectations weren’t very high from the start, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Is it a kid’s movie? Is it a satire of action films? Why is it called Son of Rambow? What’s with the ‘w’ at the end of Rambo’s last name? All these questions and more were answered while watching this film, a movie that I had a great time watching and really enjoyed.

William Proudfoot (Bill Milner) is a young boy who’s creative and artistic energies are repressed by his religious faith. His family belongs to the Plymouth Brethren, who, much like the Amish, find evil in the modern world and its technologies. One day at school, William meets Lee Carter (Will Poulter), a filmmaking, trouble-making, manipulating, “devil-child.” It is clear from the outset that these polar opposites make a connection that leads to friendship and eventually blood brothers.

Over the course of the film, the two integrate their passions for the creative to create their own film called Son of Rambow for the Young Filmmaker’s Competition.

The film is about two worlds in conflict with one another: the religious and the secular. It explores the concepts of repression versus expression, and the role imagination plays in the world of religious zealotry. These conflicts lead William to choose what world he wants to be a part of, while at the same time showing his desire to be part of both but unable to keep them in balance.

Son of Rambow also deals with what it’s like to be a social outcast. The two main characters don’t really fit in with others, which makes their bond of friendship grow even when conflicts arise.

I found the movie to be a whimsical, fun, creative, and thought-provoking. It’s well-acted and has a decent musical score.

The DVD includes a 30 minute “Making of” documentary, audio commentary during the film, and the short film that led to the feature from writer/director Garth Jennings.

I give Son of Rambow an A.

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