Set in the 80s, Son of Rambow, tells the story of Will (Bill Milner) , brought up in a strict religious family, forbidden to watch movies or TV or really get out much. This changes though when he meets Lee Carte (Will Poulter) , rebel of the school will attends. Carter is hoping to film a home made movie to enter into a local compettition, so they team together to make, "Son of Rambow".
Directed by Garth Jennings , who also directed Hitchiker's Guide to The Galaxy back in 2005. It opens with Carter sitting in the cinema watching Rambo, while smoking and taping the film. It gives you an idea of this character straight away. The two lead performances are fantastic full of slight comedic moments that could be missed, such as terms of phrase and also they both bring a great deal of physical comedy to their roles that really adds to the film. Carter's character in some ways is a little cliched, a confident kid, a rebel who is the clown of the class and troubleamker but roles are reversed in family life with specific reference to his relationship with his brother, it's nothing new but the acting performance by Will Poulter is fantastic.
I guess the film this has to be compared to, at least in terms of releases this year is Be Kind Rewind due to the narrative of making a film. It has all the charm of Be Kind Rewind and then some. It's very emotional at times, but not only that it's also Very Very funny. Let alone the filming of "Son of Rambow" but little moments like Carter standing with tomato sauce on his top to represent blood, standing in a field, then turning to a cow and saying "don't get too cocky this'll be on you one day" or something to that effect. One of the elements of the film i was worried about from the trailer was the character of the french kid who comes in an exchange deal with the school, the character's name escapes me now but the actor is Jules Sitruk. However he was one of the funniest in the film, not him as such but him and his Crew. He gathers a following of students at the school and the scenes with them are very funny jumping through hoops for him and anything he wants, just so they could be seen with coolest kid in school was very funny.
This film was leaps and bounds better than the closest british offering this year , St. Trinnians. Buckets more charm, an actual story with likable characters. The scenes where they are making the film are hillarious and well excuted.
It's also a well shot film, with brilliant shots of english country side, great filming locations for their home made movie, some interesting camera tricks (when carter throws the ball at will for instance) Theres a lot going on behind the camera in this film. The part animated sequences (such as Will's dream about the film) are awesome, help show the imagination of this character and further pull you in, a great idea.
All in all, their will be elements of this film you would of seen before, it's a bit Billy Elliot, it's a bit Kes, it's a bity Be Kind Rewind, and it comes together to make a well made charming movie that is an early highlight of 2008.
