SON OF RAMBOW

Written & Directed by: Garth Jennings Starring: Will Poulter, Bill Milner, Jules Stiruk, Charlie Thrift, Jessica Stevenson, Neil Dudgeon, Adam Godley Distributed by Optimum Releasing Film will be released in the U.K. on April 4th 2008 and on limited U.S. release beginning May 2nd 2008. Review by Michael Edwards

rating: 4

Son of Rambow is a much acclaimed British film about childhood, friendship, faith and the magic of movies. It's 1982, it's summer, and we're in the English suburbs. 10 year-old Will (Bill Milner) is a sheltered boy, born into a religious life in a puritanical Christian community which has precluded his engagement in the usual childhood inductions to popular culture through TV, movies, music and generally any form of fun and self-expression. His only outlet has been the creation of colourful doodles on the pages of his Bible. One day whilst sitting outside his classroom as the other children watch an educational film, he encounters his exact opposite - Lee Carter (Will Poulter). Lee is a kid who has everything, except for parents. In their absence he is left under the care of his rebellious older brother who has little interest in his charge. Armed with the tools of his worldly wealth Lee Carter has decided to make his own movie. When Will goes round to Lee's house and witnesses a pirated copy of Rambo: First Blood, Will has an epiphany, and his enthusiasm is soon harnessed by Lee who ropes him in to perform the stunts for his film. We follow the boys on a brilliantly engaging journey which can't help but suck in even the most cynical of viewers. Their labour of love is a triumph of childhood joy, and encompasses the heady mix of media influences that bombarded the impressionable young minds of the time. Lee's vivacious, carefree and gung-ho approach fuel scene after scene of mayhem which see Will take on a marvellously wide array of dangerous stunts without batting an eyelid. This portion of the film culminates in a beautiful scene in which Will leaps onto a rope swing to hurl himself across a river, only revealing to Lee that he can't swim as he plunges from the rope swing into the murky depths below. Lee's rescue and the subsequent decision to bond as blood brothers caps a lovely piece of sentimental nostalgia. The plot thickens when French exchange students arrive, among them the aloof and painfully trendy Didier (Jules Sitruk) who acts as a comic commentary of the cinema du look of the period, as well ably providing some comic relief and emotional tension between the two leading lads whose friendship is severely strained by Didier's arrival on the film set. Among the many funny and heartfelt moments of the film there are also moments of cinematic genius. The way filmmaking literally allows Will to visualise his drawings come to life in all their vivid glory not only makes for captivating viewing but is a beautifully innovative way to illustrate the power of film on a developing young mind. And lets face it, we hear sanctimonious preaching about the dangers of media influences on a daily basis so it's a breath of fresh air to see a filmmaker so succinctly and so entertainingly argue the case for the beneficial aspects of film on a burgeoning young imagination. We see the uniting effects of a shared passion, the therapeutic effects of escapism, and the development of an individual identity all manifest themselves through the wonder of filmmaking. But I can't reach the end of commentary on Son of Rambow without mentioning the performances. Milner and Poulter ooze charisma and exude the youthful energy demanded in this piece. There are none of the occasional issues of hammed acting or lightweight scenes, each moment is tackled with an enthusiasm and sincerity demanded of such a buoyant film. This film shows the fun side of childhood. A joyful retort to Shane Meadows This is England and a playful accompaniment to the resurgent interest in the heady destruction of the 80's action movies, Son of Rambow is a pleasure to watch from start to finish and to my mind has proved that Garth Jennings can shed the shadow of the mediocre Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy and make truly great films. Son of Rambow is out across the UK on 4th of April.