Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Son of Rambow (2007)

Director: Garth Jennings

Time Out rating

Average user rating

29 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Garth Jennings’s last film, ‘The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, had visual imagination to burn, but was less sure-footed when it came to plot and character. It’s a pleasure, then, to find that his follow-up shows just as much wit and verve in its production design, while also succeeding as storytelling: ‘Son of Rambow’ is a schoolboy yarn with a bracing emotional honesty
that packs a real kick.

Jennings takes us to the early ’80s Home Counties suburbia of his youth for the story of two mismatched pre-teens. Will (Bill Milner) is the sheltered son of a strict religious family, whose father has died in the Falklands and has never even watched TV; Lee (Will Poulter) is the tougher wide-boy, a latchkey kid who bullies and then befriends Will as they embark on a homemade VHS opus, after seeing a pirate copy of ‘First Blood’.

Meanwhile, a group of French exchange students descend on the school, including one particular guy who constitutes a New Wave all of his own. Will is a keen doodler, and his sketches burst out across the countryside in playful CGI, but there’s also great entertainment in the boys’ lo-tech Heath-Robinson production plans.

Backyard remakes are very much of the moment – think Michel Gondry’s ‘Be Kind Rewind’ – but ‘Son of Rambow’ integrates its slapstick genre pastiche into a thoughtful story about peer pressure, neglect and yearning. Both Milner and Poulter are terrific; their performances, along with a keen eye for the indignities of the playground, help keep things the right side of sentimentality.

Author: Ben Walters

Time Out London Issue 1963 – April 3 – 9

User reviews of this film

Pippa said...

Posted on May 05 2008 14:41 A sweet, and in places sad, well-directed and well-acted film, just manages to stay clear of sentimentality. Some nice eighties references for old folks like me :-). But definitely not an action movie!

Report as inappropriate
Carly said...

Posted on May 05 2008 11:17 For god's sake, learn how to spell, its kinda funny that all the good comments are by people who know how to spell, and all the bad are by people who cant even spell cinema right.

Report as inappropriate
Lance said...

Posted on May 04 2008 16:07 It was total crap. But, what else do you expect from british cenima?

Report as inappropriate
Hol and Pete said...

Posted on May 01 2008 19:25 I really do think you guys need to SPELL before you put bad comments in because it means the jokes on you if you think about it! He he he he.
Take a tip from my book, think before you say.

Report as inappropriate
apple said...

Posted on Apr 27 2008 19:01 I thought this film was great.It was really funny,sweet but is sad too.I was not sure what it was going to be like.But I think lots of people would love this film.It was really great! =]

Report as inappropriate
vincent said...

Posted on Apr 25 2008 17:10 one of the worst films we have seen in a long time. the acting was wooden (unlike kite runners) .Losing faith in certain film critics

Report as inappropriate
michael gilbey said...

Posted on Apr 24 2008 23:20 I found this movie funny and entertaining and i am pleased there was no tragic ending. This would have been very unjust after all those boys had been through together and i would left the cinema feeling very low and I would never have wanted to see it again. I am happy to say that I will probably see it at least twenty times (hopefully) before I die. Excellent film, great performances from the kids!

Report as inappropriate
lulu said...

Posted on Apr 24 2008 21:27 Film is a masterpiece of wit and humour - which us Brits do best. Refreshing to watch a film which is not afriad to be a little different. Full of nostalga & emotion, am sure it will become a British classic.
Best film in ages, going back with the kids.

Report as inappropriate
gary said...

Posted on Apr 24 2008 12:15 good film, plenty of action, good story line. shame you get these morons, if only they shut up,listen maybe just maybe they might understend. if your an american well you will always be lost.

Report as inappropriate
mossy said...

Posted on Apr 24 2008 10:50 do not see this film is the worst film in the world I went with 11 of my mates and we all thought it was absolutyy rubbish DO NOT SEE THIS FILM AND IM ENGLISH AND i THOUGHT IT WAS RIBBISH

Report as inappropriate
JelllyEllie said...

Posted on Apr 23 2008 20:46 well this film looked ok and it was brill haha!! :P

Report as inappropriate
Baz said...

Posted on Apr 23 2008 10:13 Before I can take any of the comments above seriously, you people need to learn HOW TO SPELL.

Report as inappropriate
top potato said...

Posted on Apr 20 2008 22:23 Go and see this film. Its full of joy and laughter with a good helping of slightly (but not over) sentimental sadness. One of the best feelgood movies for a long time. As for those idiots who didn't get it (yes you YANKEEHEEHEE and Usman). You have no soul.

Report as inappropriate
top potato said...

Posted on Apr 20 2008 19:49 I am about to go and see this film. 2 comments before I do. First, yankee john is clearly a crass brain free YANKEE whom the rest of us should henceforth ignore. Did I mention that he was a YANKEE? Nuff said. Second, Usman khawaja liked St Trinians!!!!!! Go and read the Sun instead, if thats not too highbrow for you!

Report as inappropriate
rassclart said...

Posted on Apr 20 2008 15:25 wahhgwan peeps!! diiss film probz gnaa b crap?

Report as inappropriate