Son of Rambow (2007)

Powerful

One of my all time favorites.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Garth Jennings' entertaining film, 'Son of Rambow', is a sprightly comedy that tells the story of two boys who set out to make their own sequel to Sylvester Stallone's bloodthirsty hit. The movie's charm lies in the fact that their vision is both fantastic and yet falls within, just, the range of the possible; and a strain of class struggle provides some slightly darker context. There's also (less originally) a religious brotherhood and an androgynous French visitor to add to the mix. Although more professional than the boys' fictional film, there's an enthusiastic (almost amateurish) feeling to 'Son of Rambow', and I've seen films with young actors who've given stronger performances. But it's still a hard film not to enjoy.

What I like in British films is the honesty in depicting "nasty" things as they are, including "adult" activities among children (unlike in most US movies where the young do "adult" thing when over 18 only). This realism together with references to right values and the use of distinct (not doll-like) child actors results with nice coming-of-age stories where both good and bad, laugh and tears are in place in a meaningful manner.The triggering element in Son of Rambow - action film First Blood - is not a children fairy-tale either, but it allows to develop nicely odd events and characters, although "boys will still be boys". Bill Milner as Will Proudfoot and Will Poulter as Lee Carter are great findings, the best supporting kid is Jules Sitruk as Didier Revol. "Older" characters are not elaborated, their relative importance is rather low, without catchy performances.A nice Sundance-type film, not among the best, but still enjoyable. Apparently not for all families due to overt violence, strong language and criticism of religion.

It isn't often when I pick up a movie out of boredom that it makes me excited about the stories to tell in film, but this was simply wonderful. The love between the two boys was amazing. That Will was so lonely he was grateful for whatever attention was paid him, that Lee was so nourished by Will's adoration and to have someone simply notice him for something besides bad behavior made both of them flawed, lovable and deeply human to me.The comedy is a strong presence in the film, but it is full of heart, sincerity and tender moments. Both of the young boys in the leading roles are notable talents and the brother and exchange student both made for entertaining supporting characters.The payoff of the film is the movie being made within the movie and getting to watch it in its entirety is special and moving. I urge everyone who hasn't watched the film to give it a shot.

This film is fun to watch and enjoy it is how a shy sheltered boy ends up befriending the misfit outcast of a boy. At first the boy is a bully to the shy one.The shy boy belongs to a strict religious group that shuns all technology and is not allowed to watch television. This is how he meats the bully because his class is going to watch a television program, he has to go out in the hall to do some school work. The "bully" he meets is tossed into the hallway because he's being disruptive.It is fun to watch their antics as they become friends and help each other to make this movie to enter a contest, which they never enter.