Set in the 80s during a long English summer, Son of Rambow tells the story of Will, the eldest son of a Brethren family. Their strict religion doesn’t allow for music, television or videos. Poor Will isn’t even allowed to mix with non-Brethrens.
Then one day Will finds himself caught up with local kid Lee Carter, who exposes him to a pirate copy of Rambo: First Blood. The two boys set about remaking the film with their own video camera, and soon become the best of friends. Until, that is, a new French exchange student arrives at their school and mixes things up a little. Created by the director of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Garth Jennings.
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Being a kid can really suck. Parents are annoying. Teachers are stupid. Ordinary life is dull as hell. Thank goodness for our imaginations then - the one place where we rule above all others. It's the place Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) can go to see his dead father again and find an action-packed life beyond the strict religious rules of his family. In Son Of Rambow, we get to go along for the ride.
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At its most likable, Son of Rambow evokes the rush of discovery that turns budding cinephiles into lifers--that delight in finding a film that seems to express or coalesce some inchoate yearning, including a yen to share.
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A sweetly raucous adventure. Widely quoted comparisons to "Billy Elliot" and Tim Burton overstate the case for what is really a modestly eccentric entertainment.
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Charming coming-of-age story the whole family and old Sly Stallone fans will enjoy.
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The super-hip style is groovy but doesn't mask the fact that Son of Rambow doesn't really go anywhere special or say anything much. For a film about falling in love with the movies, its insights on them are next to nil.
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A potentially disposable, tongue-in-cheek First Blood pisstake turns out to be a deeply effective, surprisingly touching tale of family and childhood friendship. If you only see one Rambo movie this year, make sure it’s this one.
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The title may suggest a sequel too far for the Sylvester Stallone franchise, but Son of Rambow is actually a funny and touching look at 1980s childhood.
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A joyous spirit of mischief is ever-present and Jennings has an eye for brilliant visual gags too, like the spectacle of a small boy being catapulted in a homemade stunt. It's an impressive balancing act for the director who invokes the shock impact of First Blood whilst preserving Will's innocence.
Full reviewSon of Rambow is available to stream in New Zealand now on Google Play and TVNZ+ and AroVision.
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