After a week of high-power documentaries and wrenching dramas at Sundance, there's a strong chance I may have been extra-susceptible to the charm and sheer exuberance of Son of Rambow, the newest film from director Garth Jennings and the production team known as Hammer and Tongs. But I don't think so; the giddy, goofy and heartfelt creativity of Son of Rambow would stand out regardless of where, or when, one had the good fortune to see it. In 1980's Britain, young Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) is a good-hearted, slightly burdened young boy, grieving his lost father, constrained and supported by the humble Christian community his mother finds solace in. The group shuns television and films; they live with simplicity, piety and grace. None of which, it seems, can compete with Sylvester Stallone....
After a spot of bother at school, Will winds up not-quite-friends with troublemaker Carter (Will Poulter), a scamp with slight troubles. In the storage shed at Will's family's business, Will is exposed to a pirated VHS copy of First Blood. Will's never seen a movie, or heard a story not taken directly from The Bible. It is, to him, a revelation of the highest order and leads to Will and Carter collaborating on a camcorder epic, Son of Rambow. The fact that Will seems to be working out some issues with his absent father is fairly obvious, as is the tension between Will's sacred teachings and his more secular desire to run through the English countryside pretending to commit acts of derring-do.
The thing is, we see Will's world -- his desire to escape, his thwarted creativity, the wish and need to do something, anything to change the shape and nature of his life. We also get a sense of Carter's troubles and his triumphs, too -- even when a newly-arrived French exchange student, Didier, who may in fact be the coolest kid in the world, horns into the production. Much of Son of Rambow feels like a hallucinatory mix of Rushmore and Day for Night -- as the challenges of moviemaking are met with truly miniscule resources and sincerely Herculean enthusiasm.
Son of Rambow feels as real as Will's fantasies of flying dogs and walking planes, but it's also as joyful and inventive and exuberant, as funny and heartfelt as every child's dreams; it's a brilliant celebration of the exuberance and thrill of bad storytelling, of making art, of having dreams. Will wants to be a good son, but he also wants to be the Son of Rambow -- trying to accomplish both may be impossible. Son of Rambow earns every laugh, from perfectly-timed slapstick to a parade of '80s fashion faux pas, to quiet-yet-hilarious moments as Will and Carter negotiate their creative partnership and friendship to the zero-budget charms of the actual film they make.
Watching it, you can't help but think of all the lazy afternoons you spent as a kid dreaming of being Indiana Jones or Lt. Ripley, Flash Gordon or Nancy Drew, as the shared world of other people's stories melded with the unique mix of daydreams and ideas that were yours alone. Son of Rambow is a great reminder -- of joy, of possibility, of youth -- and at the same time, it makes you feel like dreams are still possible, and that joy is all around if you're willing to dare to find it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-02-2007 @ 10:53AM
Peter said...
After reading your review of "Son of Rambow", I won't accept the opinion of any reviewer, especially not yours. Man, you can sure sling a lot of BS. I saw the film at Sundance and had to force myself to stay and sit through the entire showing. I can't remember a single funny scene (although there probably were some), but a lot of stupid and silly ones. The bit about the French exchange student was the worst part. The movie was by and large - boring and inane.
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3-16-2007 @ 2:44AM
Diane Rambow said...
Hey, what tickled me was they finally got the spelling of the name RAMBOW right! Granted, there are a few 'variations' of the spelling, but the original is RAMBOW (my name). For the record and those who think RAMBO is actually the correct spelling, you can look this info' up - in the archives and in genalogy.
The "W" in Rambow stands for the WENDS - the smallest group of a gypsies who moved about the German countryside.
There are 3 towns of RAMBOW - all in Eastern, Germany; my great great grandfather came from there -his name was Christ Christian Rambow (they were quite religious).
In any event, the review I read seemed to be very interesting; certainly caused me to decide to see it if it's every in the theatres in my area.
I know at my age of 66, I find some of the older movies (many of the musicals) so much more refreshing; full of happiness, etc., that I'm not as inclined to see all the bloody battering movies; the ones with cars going into flames, or some serial killer that is supposed to provide 120 minutes of 'entertainment'.
We all have our way of 'enjoying' - or being 'entertained', so I'm guessing this is a movie that appeals to those who are a bit more inclined to take a pleasant 'ride' for a couple hours - where a certain amount of 'light and laughter' might command the stage, rather than the hideous sounds and sights of what can be seen on the streets in the USA.
I did feel that the review sparked my interest; glad they picked that RAMBOW spelling (selfishly so, of course), and no doubt 'each' RAMBO or RAMBOW will find an audience of some size, that will enjoy the results of hard work; inspiration, and an attempt to entertain the masses in some way. Thank you for the chance to comment. Diane Rambow
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4-18-2007 @ 12:05AM
laura said...
I've heard a lot of great things about this film! It'll be playing at the film festival in my town this month and I just can't wait! I may be biased since the story takes place in the 80s and as an 80s child, this story has major nostalgic value for me.
For those in or near the Orange County area... check out this film at the Newport Beach Film Festival on its closing night April 26th... and if you're up for it, stay for the after-party. These events are always a lot of fun.
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4-18-2007 @ 6:00PM
nicole said...
If you grew up on Rambow you will love this 80's flash back film, "The Son of Rambow." Presented by the Newport Beach Film Festival, April 26th at 8 pm. Check it out
http://www.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=93089 or
www.Newportbeachfilmfest.com
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4-24-2007 @ 12:24PM
Beans said...
I was ann extra in this film and although I have not had the pleasure of seeing it yet I am very excited to and had the time of my life filming it ! thanks to the film makers .
Beans
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4-28-2007 @ 4:13PM
Beans said...
cheese!
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