Son of Rambow

Name: Son of Rambow
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family
Released: May 2, 2008
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Bill Milner

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Ratings

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Son Of Rambow

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Vantage | Release Date: May 2, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: Bill Milner

Summary: Son of Rambow is a hilariously fresh and visually inventive take on friendship, family, film heroes, and the death-defying adventures of growing up in the video age. The story takes place in 1980s Britain, where young Will Proudfoot is raised in isolation among The Brethren, a puritanical religious sect in which music and TV are strictlySon of Rambow is a hilariously fresh and visually inventive take on friendship, family, film heroes, and the death-defying adventures of growing up in the video age. The story takes place in 1980s Britain, where young Will Proudfoot is raised in isolation among The Brethren, a puritanical religious sect in which music and TV are strictly forbidden. When Will encounters his first movie, a pirated copy of Rambo: First Blood, his imagination is blown wide open. Now, Will sets out to join forces with the seemingly diabolical school bully, Lee Carter, to make their own action epic, devising wildly creative, on-the-fly stunts, not to mention equally elaborate schemes for creating a movie of total commitment and nonstop thrills while hiding out from The Brethren. When school popularity finally descends on Will and Lee in the form of, oui, the supercool French exchange student, Didier Revol, their remarkable new friendship and precious film are pushed, quite literally, to the breaking point. (Paramount Classics/Vantage)… Expand

Director: Garth Jennings

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 96 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker

Perhaps the most ingeniously imaginative element in Son of Rambow, a film exploding with imagination (some of it scrawled directly over the film in animated expressions of Will's private world), is its very conceit. Read full review

Shawn Levy

Watching skinny-armed little Will pretend to be the spawn of Sly Stallone in a series of botched feats of derring-do is a treat, as is much of this film. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

A quirky charmer. Read full review

Desson Thomson

A crowd-pleasing combination of buoyant spirit and occasionally dark humor. Read full review

Jim Ridley

At its most likable, Son of Rambow evokes the rush of discovery that turns budding cinephiles into lifers--that delight in finding a film that seems to express or coalesce some inchoate yearning, including a yen to share. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

An endearing, well-acted trifle with lovely intentions. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

If it happens to hit you right - that is, if you happen to catch its wavelength of tear-and-a-smile whimsicality - the movie will speak to you. Read full review

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User Reviews

DanH.

May 28, 2008

Very funny. I was very surprised. It's one of the year's best.

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GregG.

Apr 29, 2008

I saw this movie at Sundance 07 and have told everyone I know about it for a long time. They are finally going to get to see it. This movie is a Stand Up and Cheer movie. I cannot wait to see it again!

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Sam

May 1, 2008

Thank you Tom and 66goat. You're proof that people that dislike Cloverfield can have a brain. Because, besides yours, some of the complaints I've seen from some of the haters are absolutely horrendous. 1. 'There was no real storyline.' There wasn't supposed to be. Thank you Tom and 66goat. You're proof that people that dislike Cloverfield can have a brain. Because, besides yours, some of the complaints I've seen from some of the haters are absolutely horrendous. 1. 'There was no real storyline.' There wasn't supposed to be. It's people running through New York City, running from a monster. You're supposed to feel like you're in the attack, not following a plot. If anything, there was too much plot. 2. 'The Monster shot fireballs!' Whoever posted that is an idiot. It didn't shoot fireballs, it was throwing around exploding debris. 3. 'ZOMG, TOO MUCH SHAKING'. Being chased by a monster. In New York City. With little creatures falling off it. Personally, I'd be running like Hell, and if I'm holding a camera while running like Hell, I'd imagine it'd be shaking quite a bit. 4. The end sucked...it kept you hanging. Yeah. It was supposed to. It kept possibilities open for a sequel and speculation. 5. The Spider things just appeared out of nowhere! ....they fell off the monster. Their origin is unclear because the MOVIE IS THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF 20 SOMETHINGS AT A PARTY. SORRY THAT THEY DON'T KNOW THE ORIGINS OF A 30 STORY MONSTER THAT ATTACKS WITH LITTLE WARNING.… Expand

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JayH.

Aug 22, 2008

Sweet film that is wonderfully acted and has a very powerful and moving story. Garth Jennings direction is very loving and perceptive. Great job, memorable film.

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A_Northerner

Aug 30, 2012

Why did you watch it?
I saw a few scenes from this film a while back on TV and found them light hearted and amusing so asked to borrow it on DVD from a friend.
Tell me about it. Son of Rambow tells the story of two young boys growing up in the 80's, William and Lee, who become firmWhy did you watch it?
I saw a few scenes from this film a while back on TV and found them light hearted and amusing so asked to borrow it on DVD from a friend.

Tell me about it.
Son of Rambow tells the story of two young boys growing up in the 80's, William and Lee, who become firm friends while making a Rambo-inspired home movie full of self-performed stunts and childish violence. The boys are polar opposites at first, William's family belong to a strict and traditional religious brethren, so strict that William is not even allowed to watch TV for documentaries at school, while Lee is the school's worst behaved child. Despite their differences, the pair become friends by chance and both appreciate each others company, Lee's renegade behaviour gives William experiences outside of the brethren (perhaps none more so than watching Rambo: First Blood) while Lee finds a kindred spirit to overcome his loneliness at home.

Should I watch it?
Creating a film about a pair of schoolchildren's recreation of Rambo certainly scores points for originality. As I mentioned before, the light hearted and amusing in places and would be suitable for adults and children alike. The young actors Bill Milner and Will Poulter are excellent and are supported well by a small cast.
The writers take inspiration from a range of films, not just Rambo, with the scarecrow in the field and French exchange student Didier coolly lighting his cigarette in church coming to mind. As a throwback to the 80's the film is excellent, catchphrases, clothes and music are all spot on. Just like J.J Abrams recent Super 8, hopefully Rambow will inspire a generation of young filmmakers.
Son of Rambow is a quirky and original British comedy-drama, which suffers from being a little too sweet in places towards the end but more than makes up for it with great acting and humorous moments.… Expand

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TomM.

Nov 13, 2008

An unusual flick, to say the least. Initially, it took some doing to make head or tail out of what was going on, but eventually the thing charmed me right out of my seat, and despite the difficulties I had deciphering some very thick British accents.

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Nov 17, 2008

Quite possibly THE WORST movie I have ever seen. How child could sit though the agonizingly boring plot I don't know.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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