If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

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.

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.

I was drawn into this film right from the first scene where we see Lee Carter running with a camera. From that moment onwards there was never a dull moment and the film simply rocked, at least for QUITE SOMETIME. It was funny, charming and everything else you can ask from a British film.Will Poulter played Lee Carter and he was simply special. Great acting, good humor timing and above all the way he portrayed his character was amazing. I couldn't imagine anyone else playing the role after that terrific performance.He is well supported by Bill Milner as Will Proudfoot. They formed what I call, "the perfect partnership" that carried this film from the beginning. Great to watch! The only part where this movie slacked off a bit is the middle section, there is character of a French exchange student which is really not required. This part specifically almost ended my enthusiasm.But not to worry...the film ends well and overall I give it a Thumbs Up!

This film took me totally by surprise, especially since it got very little notice when it was released in theatres. It deserves a place next to such classic "coming-of-age" movies as MY LIFE AS A DOG and HOPE AND GLORY. It tells the story of two lonely boys, Will (Bill Milner) and Lee Carter (Will Poulter). Will's family are part of a strict religious sect which prohibits such forms of entertainment as TV, movies and music. Will makes up for this by creating stories of his own in the form of elaborate drawings he records in his notebook. When he meets up with the school bully, Lee Carter (Will Poulter), a creepy little thug (even his eyebrows are scary) with a penchant for stealing, the cleverness of the drawings inspires Lee to make an action film using the camera he pilfered from his brother. The result is the epic "Son of Rambow," featuring every cliché from every overblown Hollywood action movie of the '80s (and then some--none of the RAMBO films ever included a flying dog!) Their project gets more complicated when the boys' classmates decide to enlist the help of a flamboyant, charismatic French exchange student in the making of the film to add "star power." Things get even more out of hand when Will's religious community discover his activities and try to prevent him from continuing.This is a film for anyone who loves childhood reminiscence movies, and also for anyone who just loves movies. The film manages to tell a sweet story about children and the friendship between two boys without ever becoming syrupy or cloying. At the same time, it pokes affectionate fun at movies, film-making, and movie clichés without a trace of meanness. It's fun to see how well-versed the boys are in the standard plots, language, and clichés of action films. And, on the subject of hackneyed movie plots,a staple of many TV-movie bios is the scene in which the successful celebrity becomes carried away by the glamorous world of show-biz glitz and partying, and shuns his more down-to-earth pal, but later learns the error of his ways. That plot twist is included here, but it's done in a fresh, funny, yet still poignant way.What this film lacks is the cheap, vulgar shock humor of most of the supposed "adult" comedies popular in recent years. Yet it manages to be funnier than most of today's comedies, and adults will enjoy it. Older kids will, too, and they may even be inspired to make their own films as a result of seeing it. Don't miss it!