Son of Rambow

Son of Rambow is the tale of child odd couple (Will and Lee) and their attempts to create a short film to enter a national youth film competition ‘Screen Test’. Using just a borrowed camera from Lee’s bullying brother and Will’s sparkling creativity inspired from watching a bootlegged version of ‘First Blood’ they set out to create their own spin off from the first Rambo film.

Son of Rambow is a witty and well observed but never sentimental piece of British cinema. The two leads, Bill Milner and Will Poulter, give performances that director Gareth Jenning’s should be proud who is directing his second feature film, the first being the enjoyable ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’.

Despite a forced subplot centring on a French foreign exchange student and a dodgy climax, the script still dances on the verge of a very deep lake of emotion. The story’s heart is strongest when Will escapes to his fantasy world and when observing his mother’s internal battle between religious duty and the charge of being a mother. Jessica Stephenson (you’ll remember her from ‘Spaced’) gives a touching performance as Will’s conflicted mother.

With news of Prom Night’s domination of the US box office this weekend it’s good to know that there is still at least one film charming and pure enough to actually warrant our hard earned cash. Son of Rambow is far from the best film of the year, but it has bloody heart.

3/5