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Craig Younkin
Movie Review
Son of Rambow: A Home Movie
By Craig Younkin Published April 29, 2008
US Release: May 2, 2008
Directed by: Garth Jennings
Starring: Bill Milner
PG-13 some violence and reckless behavior
Running Time: 96 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $1,779,449
Directed by: Garth Jennings
Starring: Bill Milner
PG-13 some violence and reckless behavior
Running Time: 96 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $1,779,449
C+
Even though the cast is all game, it’s not that clever and it’s not that funny. This was a pretty big disappointment, especially considering the really good advance word of mouth.
“Son of Rambow” is about that special time in a boy’s life when movies take him out of the mundane. Everybody’s got a story, whether playing Rambo with toy guns and invisible bullet proof vests (that somehow covered the entire body) or putting together little short films with action figures. The story of young Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) takes place in 1980’s Britain where he is raised within an isolated religious sect known as The Brethren. Will is not allowed to talk with outsiders and music, movies, and television are all outlawed.
He does go to a normal school however, which is where he meets Lee Carter (Will Poulter), the school bully and maker of home videos. When Lee shows Will a pirated copy of “Rambo: First Blood,” his mind is blown and he sets out to make a grand action epic with Lee, all while trying to keep what he’s doing a secret from The Brethren. Will proves quite the filmmaker and soon a real friendship forms between him and Lee. Word of the film spreads, leading to school popularity, but when French exchange student Didier Revol (Jules Sitruk) starts hanging out with them, their friendship and the film is tested.
The family-friendly genre has become a stale one. It’s rare that it holds surprises and the comedy is usually childish and the jokes come few and far between. What I’m trying to say is, even though I admire writer-director Garth Jennings ("Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy") trying to make a movie about childhood imagination, it’s just not that entertaining. The kids meet, decide to make a movie, become friends, their movie leads to popularity that “may” destroy the friendship, and then some heavy drama ensues to set people up for a good cry once the “sweet” ending comes along. There is some slapstick stuntwork that should put a smile on children’s faces, but there isn’t nearly enough of it to keep them laughing and interested. And as far as I can tell, the movie contains even less of an appeal for anyone who’s seen this kind of movie before. There are a few funny 1980’s fashion styles and hairdos, but that does not a hilarious comedy make.
That being said, the cast is actually kind of charming and keeps things from getting too boring. Bill Milner is a cute little kid and he conveys the character’s innocence and enthusiasm well and Will Poulter is pretty funny as the smart-ass Lee Carter. And Jules Sitruk probably gets the best character, playing an 80’s French punk-rocker-type who has the entire school eating out of his hand. Girls forming a line in order to make out with him is probably the funniest thing in the movie.
“Son of Rambow” is not terrible, but it falls short of capturing the nostalgic good-feelings that childhood fantasy creates. Even though the cast is all game, it’s not that clever and it’s not that funny. This was a pretty big disappointment for me, especially considering the movie has gotten some really good advance word of mouth.
He does go to a normal school however, which is where he meets Lee Carter (Will Poulter), the school bully and maker of home videos. When Lee shows Will a pirated copy of “Rambo: First Blood,” his mind is blown and he sets out to make a grand action epic with Lee, all while trying to keep what he’s doing a secret from The Brethren. Will proves quite the filmmaker and soon a real friendship forms between him and Lee. Word of the film spreads, leading to school popularity, but when French exchange student Didier Revol (Jules Sitruk) starts hanging out with them, their friendship and the film is tested.
The family-friendly genre has become a stale one. It’s rare that it holds surprises and the comedy is usually childish and the jokes come few and far between. What I’m trying to say is, even though I admire writer-director Garth Jennings ("Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy") trying to make a movie about childhood imagination, it’s just not that entertaining. The kids meet, decide to make a movie, become friends, their movie leads to popularity that “may” destroy the friendship, and then some heavy drama ensues to set people up for a good cry once the “sweet” ending comes along. There is some slapstick stuntwork that should put a smile on children’s faces, but there isn’t nearly enough of it to keep them laughing and interested. And as far as I can tell, the movie contains even less of an appeal for anyone who’s seen this kind of movie before. There are a few funny 1980’s fashion styles and hairdos, but that does not a hilarious comedy make.
That being said, the cast is actually kind of charming and keeps things from getting too boring. Bill Milner is a cute little kid and he conveys the character’s innocence and enthusiasm well and Will Poulter is pretty funny as the smart-ass Lee Carter. And Jules Sitruk probably gets the best character, playing an 80’s French punk-rocker-type who has the entire school eating out of his hand. Girls forming a line in order to make out with him is probably the funniest thing in the movie.
“Son of Rambow” is not terrible, but it falls short of capturing the nostalgic good-feelings that childhood fantasy creates. Even though the cast is all game, it’s not that clever and it’s not that funny. This was a pretty big disappointment for me, especially considering the movie has gotten some really good advance word of mouth.
Craig's Grade: C+
Craig's Overall Grading: 340 graded movies
| A | 10.9% | |
| B | 41.8% | |
| C | 31.8% | |
| D | 15.3% | |
| F | 0.3% |
