Media Maven: The Son of Rambow Movie Review
“The Son of Rambow”
Bill Milner, Jessica Hynes, Anna Wing, Will Poulter, Ed Westwick, Jules Sitruck
The only box office name you may recognize in this charming parody of the blockbuster, “Rambo: First Blood,” is Sylvester Stallone. He can be seen in footage from a pirated copy that has fallen into the hands of our movie’s protagonist, Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner).
This delightful movie is set in England in the 1980’s. It is the story of two boys and their unlikely friendship that develops over their commitment to create a film tribute to the Hollywood Rambo. What makes this so whimsically alluring is the spunk, innocence and the indefatigable determination Will and his cohort Lee Carter have in creating impressive stunts to display the bravery and macho of their hero, Rambo.
Unlikely pairings of characters create a sense that this childhood bond will not reflect a puritanical cookie cutter story. Will Proudfoot is a young fourth grader who is the oldest son of the widowed Mary Proudfoot (played by Jessica Hynes). Will, Mary, his grandmother and his younger sister are members of a religious sect similar to the Mennonite community here in America. The viewing of television, movies and videos are banned by the Brethren.
You can imagine the impact there is for Will when he happens to see the film “Rambo: First Blood.” He immediately becomes the impartibly accomplice to the wild, delinquent bully Lee Carter from Will’s local public school. Lee Carter is played believably by Will Poulter. His scabrous demeanor accentuates his boorish ways and his lack of empathy for anyone besides himself. That is until he meets Will and they become true blood brothers.
Added to this tale is the unexpected popularity the boys incur as the students at their public school discover the filmmaker’s homage to Rambo and all want in on the action. A hysterical role of a cool enigmatic French male exchange student vying for a lead character in the film makes for laugh out loud fun.
Jules Sitruck as the dashing Didier Revol who has all the pubescent girls lined up to experience what a true French kiss is establishes himself as a libidinous Lothario.
This cast of vivid characters would certainly make Sylvester Stallone proud. It will make the rest of us laugh for a long time.
Chic Stars: Four Chic Stars
Jan’s Movie Rating System:
5 – Top notch entertainment
4 – Compelling, Heartwarming, Thrilling, Comical
3 – The a) story b) actors c) special effects saved/made this movie.
2 – If you are bored watch it, or wait for DVD
1 – Don’t bother. Too morose, too violent, too blasé, an enigma.
