Son of Rambow is both a victim and beneficiary of the incredible hype it enjoyed upon its first release. A victim because no film is ever as good as the level of hype suggests, and a beneficiary because similar small-budget films rarely get the level of publicity (and subsequent moolah) Rambow enjoyed. The film itself is diverting enough, with some inventive moments, but subtlety is sometimes abandoned in favour of the sledgehammer approach.
In order for the film's message to get across, it's necessary for Bill Milner's Will Proudfoot to have a sheltered upbringing and this is achieved by having his mother a member of an Amish-type religious order. I've seen groups of people spouting the bible in town centres and bus stations, but I 've never heard of a British order eschewing all modern appliances to the degree that Will is barred from even watching educational TV programmes in school and wearing dresses and headclothes straight out of the 19th Century American mid-west. I could be wrong, there may be thousands of people living like that in the UK, but it just comes across as an ill thought out plot device that distracts the audience.
At the core of the story is the burgeoning friendship between two opposites Will and the rebellious Lee Carter (Will Poulter) which is adequately if predictably handled and the suppression of individuality and creativity by marginalised religions. Imagination offers both boys a means of temporary escape from the problems in their lives and they combine their own devices to create a sequel to Rambo. There are sub-plots running through the story, the major one being about the need to appreciate real friendship over the desire for popularity amongst one's peers yeah, that's right: the evergreen 'be true to yourself message.'
The two boys perform well - although not outstandingly - for beginners and, overall, Son of Rambow is painless, undemanding entertainment. There's very little out of the ordinary about it, and the last couple of reels don't really tie things up as adroitly as they perhaps should, but you probably won't feel cheated of the cost of a rental.
In order for the film's message to get across, it's necessary for Bill Milner's Will Proudfoot to have a sheltered upbringing and this is achieved by having his mother a member of an Amish-type religious order. I've seen groups of people spouting the bible in town centres and bus stations, but I 've never heard of a British order eschewing all modern appliances to the degree that Will is barred from even watching educational TV programmes in school and wearing dresses and headclothes straight out of the 19th Century American mid-west. I could be wrong, there may be thousands of people living like that in the UK, but it just comes across as an ill thought out plot device that distracts the audience.
At the core of the story is the burgeoning friendship between two opposites Will and the rebellious Lee Carter (Will Poulter) which is adequately if predictably handled and the suppression of individuality and creativity by marginalised religions. Imagination offers both boys a means of temporary escape from the problems in their lives and they combine their own devices to create a sequel to Rambo. There are sub-plots running through the story, the major one being about the need to appreciate real friendship over the desire for popularity amongst one's peers yeah, that's right: the evergreen 'be true to yourself message.'
The two boys perform well - although not outstandingly - for beginners and, overall, Son of Rambow is painless, undemanding entertainment. There's very little out of the ordinary about it, and the last couple of reels don't really tie things up as adroitly as they perhaps should, but you probably won't feel cheated of the cost of a rental.