Son of Rambow

Though his big-screen version of <em>The Hitchhiker"s Guide to the Galaxy</em> came first, this fantastical coming-of-age tale springs from director Garth Jennings"s first script. In <em>Son of Rambow</em>, the 1980s have hit the English countryside, but Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner, <em>My Boy Jack</em>), whose father recently passed away, avoids all entertainment media as his strict Brethren religion forbids such frivolity. Through a chance encounter, the artistic 11-year-old collides--literally--with aspiring filmmaker Lee Carter (Will Poulter). The loudmouthed lad, ward of a bossy older brother, introduces the quiet fellow to a bootleg of <em>Rambo: First Blood</em> and asks him to assist with his remake. Will dubs it "Son of Rambow," and takes on the title role. Meanwhile, French exchange student Didier (Jules Sitruk) shakes up the student body with his new wave outfits and hip dance moves. When Didier finds out about their camcorder epic, everything changes for the outcast duo. On the one hand, other kids start to see them as cool. On the other, the Church may ex-communicate Will’s family if he doesn"t stop hanging around with rabble-rousers like Carter and Didier. All the while, Jennings brings Will’s drawings and day dreams to vivid life; whatever he sees, we see. Carter incorporates these more personal elements into their home movie, which plays during the touching final sequence. Though it takes a while to warm up to the aggressive Carter, <em>Son of Rambow</em> shows how a shared artistic endeavor can bring out the best in two lonely boys. <em>--Kathleen C. Fennessy</em>