Before music video, commercial and film production partners Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith were tapped to do the cinematic adaptation of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” (2005), they had another idea for a movie: Schoolboys bond and learn a lot about life while making their own no-budget, high-thrills version of the Rambo flick “First Blood.”
This original concept (based on Mr. Jennings’ own experiences replicating action films as a youngster in the 1980s) finally has been translated into a full-length feature, the charming coming-of-age story “Son of Rambow.”
The film has plenty of universal themes, including unlikely childhood friendships and their byproducts (broadened horizons and mental growth) the unbounded power of youngsters’ imaginations, and the memories we all have of a time before we became set in our ways, locked into our schedules and afraid of dreaming too big.
That said, “Son of Rambow” is likely to have special appeal for those who grew up during the decade of big hair and synth-pop. The film, set in ’80s-era rural England, recalls not only the tunes and fashions of the day, but also the glorious moment when video cameras first fell into tiny, greasy hands and inspired so many youths to go forth and create. (Audiences who saw Michel Gondry’s recent release, “Be Kind Rewind,” may note the similar celebration of the lo-fi, D.I.Y. aesthetic.)
Here in “Rambow,” the pre-YouTube, -On Demand and -Netflix generation is represented by grade-school-aged Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner), who leads a sheltered life because of his family’s ultrastrict religion. (They belong to the Plymouth Brethren.) He’s not allowed to socialize outside of school like the other children, nor is he permitted to watch TV.
One day, while Will is repaying a favor of sorts at the home of class bully Lee Carter (Will Poulter), his eyes are blasted open to a whole new world of possibilities by a pirated copy of “First Blood.” Later, when Lee asks Will to help make his very own action film, the meek, gangly Will is gung-ho, inspired by the beefed-up brute John Rambo.
While filming, the two amateur actor-directors learn heaps about themselves, each other, moviemaking and the world at large. They release themselves from the burden of consequences and test the limits of their bodies and their minds. Because there has to be some conflict, they also test the limits of their newfound friendship.
The characters’ enthusiasm is infectious, which is a testament to the two young leads. Each is making his feature-film debut, and their freshness and excitement about being in the movies make Will’s and Lee’s similar sentiments feel all the more authentic.
The film may become slightly predictable and a bit sappy before its end, but not before it has worked its way into viewers hearts and perhaps even caused some to wonder what ever happened to those old VHS tapes and those wildly creative urges.
***1/2
TITLE: “Son of Rambow”
RATING: PG-13 (for some violence and reckless behavior)
CREDITS: Written and directed by Garth Jennings
RUNNING TIME: 96 minutes
WEB SITE: www.sonoframbow.com
MAXIMUM RATING: FOUR STARS
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