SnoopyStyle
Will Proudfoot is a shy young boy and imaginative writer. His widower mother Mary (Jessica Hynes) is extremely religious. Their church pickets outside the theater showing Rambo's First Blood. On the other hand, Lee Carter is a ne'er-do-well pirating the movie inside the theater. The cigarette-smoking juvenile delinquent Lee Carter gets them both in trouble and lies to Will to get him working on his movie. Will rewrites the character as the son of Rambo. There are new French foreign exchange students and the English kids all fall for Didier Revol who soon gathers a cadre of followers. Lee gets suspended. Despite having girls lined up to kiss him, Didier is bored and gets Will to put him in the movie. There is a change in the power dynamic between Will and Lee.Lee Carter comes off as a real jerk for more than half of the movie. The two boys' relationship needs a bit more massaging. Lee needs to show more vulnerability at the beginning and a couple of touches of actual friendship with Will. It keeps the comedy from really elevating when I hate the lead character who is suppose to be appealing. There is an overall love of movie-making and a joy of a coming-of-age movie.
Bene Cumb
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.
haterofcrap
No matter how much I try, I never was able to understood what's so great about the "Rambo" flicks. I always hated those stupid and overrated films, and personally I think that "First Blood" was one of the worst movies ever made.Maybe for that reason I wasn't able to enjoy so much this film...I guess if you feel nostalgic about the 80's (One of my least favorite decades...) you will enjoy more this film. I mean, this is a decent dramedy, with some good scenes and great performances, but is nothing particularly memorable or outstanding.The story is merely entertaining, but that's it. Anyway, if you feel nostalgic about the 80's, probably you will enjoy this film more.
Jadeina
Son of Rambow is an incredible film. It is so fresh and full of energy. It is about a boy, Will Proudfoot, from a strict Plymouth Brethren family getting to know a young rebel, Lee Carter, from his school and being suddenly introduced to things he has no knowledge of. The boys friendship creates problems for Will with his family and church.What the film does very well is getting the viewer to understand the mindset of the two boys; we see things through their eyes. This is made possible by the two young actors who play Will and Lee. They are exceptionally good and make the characters completely believable and sympathetic. The actor of Lee, Will Poulta is particularly impressive. Because we are seeing events through their eyes events and situations are often exaggerated yet still appear natural.The film has a lot to say about friendship and family but perception and reputation are also major themes (how perceptions differ and reputations form). There is a subplot with a french exchange student which I thought was very apt.It is touching, uplifting and has many very funny moments.
AD
