From: Reviews and Criticism of Vietnam War Theatrical and Television Dramas (http://www.lasalle.edu/library/vietnam/FilmIndex/home.htm) compiled by John K. McAskill, La Salle University ([email protected])
S6530 SON OF RAMBOW (GREAT BRITAIN, 2007)
Credits: director/writer, Garth Jennings. Cast: Will Poulter, Bill Milner, Jules Sitruk, Charlie Thrift, Jessica Stevenson. Summary: Coming-of-age comedy set in England in 1982. Naive 11-year-old Will Proudfoot (Milner) lost his father to an aneurism and has been raised by his mother (Stevenson) as a member of the fundamentalist Plymouth Brethren sect. Will has never been permitted to watch television or see a movie, but he is nevertheless wildly imaginative, filling his books with sketches of his fantasies. At school he is excused from class whenever an educational video is shown. Sitting outside class during one such session, Will encounters Lee Carter (Poulter), a classroom terror booted into the hall by his teacher. Lee is a wild child raised by his neglectful elder brother while their wealthy parents are out of the country. He also is a budding filmmaker who desperately needs an actor for the film that he hopes will win him the BBC Screen Test competition. Lee cons Will into the job. But Will is easily swayed, especially after catching a glimpse of Sly Stallone single-handedly defeating an army of bullies on a pirate video copy of First blood. Will dons dirty vest and bandana and reports for duty in the local woods as the stuntman/star and writer of Son of Rambow. Will and Lee develop a forged-in-fire type friendship of the Rambo/Trautman sort in First blood. However, things go awry when a busload of French exchange students arrive at school and a charismatic hipster named Didier (Sitruk) threatens to take over the filmmaking and displace Lee.
Adams, Mark. “At the movies; Hero on the sly; Adventures of the boys’ own Rambo film of the week ‘Son of Rambow’” Sunday mirror [England] (Mar 30, 2008), p. 46. Allen, Gavin. “Young guns; We check out the double-act of the new screen heroes” South Wales echo (Apr 4, 2008), p. 27. Alter, Ethan. “Rambow warriors” Film journal international 111/5 (May 2008), p. 10-11. ______. “Son of Rambow” Film journal international 111/5 (May 2008), p. 51-2. Andersen, Soren. “Indie flick ‘Son of Rambow’ packed with feel-good fun” News tribune [Tacoma, WA] (May 16, 2008), Entertainment & go, p. G20. Axmaker, Sean. “Imagination helps boys defy their environments in ‘Son of Rambow’” Seattle post-intelligencer (May 9, 2008), What’s happening, p. 4. Bacon. “Ramboys dun good; Son of Rambow” The people [England] (Mar 30, 2008), p. 44. Beifuss, John. “‘Son of Rambow’ goes astray hunting for goodwill – But tale of British boys making ‘Rambo’ sequel still hits target” Commercial appeal [Memphis, TN] (May 23, 2008), Playbook, p. G12-13. Bell, James. “Son of Rambow” Sight & sound 18/4 (Apr 2008), p. 77. Biancolli, Amy. “Film – The fathers of the Son of Rambow – Garth Jennings, Nick Goldsmith give films, videos a childlike quality” Houston chronicle (May 16, 2008), Star, p. 2. Bolton, Matt. “Review: When boys go into battle” The observer [England] (Apr 6, 2008), Observer review arts pages, p. 13. “Boys rites of passage is a tough act to follow; The big movie; ‘Son of Rambow’” Birmingham evening mail [England] (Apr 4, 2008), p. 42. Bradshaw, Peter. “Film & music; Film reviews; Come Sly with me: the DIY film craze rolls on, with Rambo in the 80s British suburbs; Son of Rambow” The guardian [London] (Apr 4, 2008), Guardian film and music pages, p. 7. Breznican, Anthony. “‘Rambow’ is a blast and a half-pint; Little boy sequel to ‘First blood’ draws a buyer” USA today (Jan 25, 2007), Life, p. 7D. Carter, Kelley L. “‘Son of Rambow’ springs from the well of filmmaker’s early memories” Chicago tribune (may 9, 2008), Tempo movies, p. 4. Chocano, Carina. “Rambo as a role model for ‘Rambow’” Los Angeles times – Washington post news service (May 1, 2008) Cohen, David S. “Script to screen: Son of Rambow” Script 14/3 (may/Jun 2008), p. 38-43. Collin, Robbie. “A sly laugh” News of the world [England] (Mar 30, 2008), p. ? “Coming of age – Young actors breathe life into ‘Son of Rambow’” Buffalo news [NY] (May 23, 2008), Gusto, p. G5. Conti, Garrett. “Son of Rambow” Pittsburgh tribune-review (May 23, 2008), p. ? Covert, Colin. “Long journey to ‘Rambow’ started in director’s youth” Star tribune [Minneapolis, MN] (May 9, 2008), Scene, p. 13F. ______. “Movie review – Fresh faces bring a sly sweetness to ‘Rambow’ – Two outcasts bond over Stallone, a camcorder and their father issues” Star tribune [Minneapolis, MN] (May 9, 2008), Scene, p. 12F. Cox, Tom. “Boys will be boys and they’re bang on target” Daily mail [London] (Apr 4, 2008), p. 58. Dargis, Manohla. “Lonely boy’s ‘First blood’ and first pal” New York times (May 2, 2008), sec. E, p. 11. Davies, Mike. “Second blood to the schoolboys; ‘Culture’ director Garth Jennings tells Mike Davies why he looks back with affection at the blood and violence of his first ‘adult’ movie” Birmingham post [England] (Mar 27, 2008), p. 15. ______. “Sly charm of mini movie makers” Birmingham post [England] (Apr 3, 2008), p. 13. Dawtry, Adam. “Pic gets Optimum result” Variety 409/11 (Feb 4, 2008), p. 24. Driscoll, Rob. “The movies; The new kids on Rambo’s block; It was the surprise hit at the Sundance Film Festival and now it’s released in the UK. Rob Driscoll meets the schoolboy actors making waves in Son of Rambow, which celebrates the Rambo films. But what does Sylvester Stallone think?” Western mail [England] (Apr 4, 2008), Features, p. 15. Ebert, Roger. “Peter Pan, with Sly as a guide – Coming-of-age tale cued by ‘First blood’” Chicago sun-times (May 9, 2008), p. B1. Fitzherbert, Henry. “First blood to heirs of Rambo” Sunday express [England] (Apr 6, 2008), p. 72. ______. “The small Rambos draw First Blood; Review Films; Henry Fitzherbert discovers how one man’s childhood adventures in Epping Forest and obsession with an Eighties icon inspired this spring’s surprise success” Sunday express [England] (Mar 23, 2008), p. 71. French, Philip. “Review: When boys go into battle” The observer [England] (Apr 6, 2008), Observer review arts pages, p. 13. Gabrenya, Frank. “Outsiders transformed by allure of ‘First blood’” Columbus dispatch [OH] (May 23, 2008), Life & arts, p. 1D. Gensler, Howard. “‘Son of Rambow’ has appeal for the whole family” Philadelphia daily news (May 9, 2008) p. 50. Gilbey, Ryan. “The kids are all right” Sunday times [London] (Mar 30, 2008), Culture, p. 8. Goodykoontz, Bill. “In honor of ‘Rambow,’ 5 quirky films with kids” Arizona republic (May 8, 2008), Arizona living, p. E6. Green, Chad. “Son of Rambow” Boxoffice 144/4 (Apr 2008), p. 49. Greene, Ray. “Son of Rambow” Boxoffice 143/3 (Mar 2007), p. 66. Gritten, David. “‘My mum brought cakes to the set’; David Gritten meets the team who went from sci-fi to lo-fi with ‘Son of Rambow’” The daily telegraph [London] (Mar 28, 2008), Film on Friday, p. 32. Guzman, Rafer. “Now playing: Son of Rambow” Newsday (May 2, 2008), pt. II, p. B7. ______. “Now that’s reel devotion; Fanboy films put viewers behind the camera to remake their favorites” Newsday (Feb 21, 2008), pt. II, p. B4. Hannaford, Alex. “Inside Britain’s strictest sect; As ‘Son of Rambow’ prepares to wow cinema audiences, Alex Hannaford examines the Plymouth Brethren, the movement whose stringent rules shape the life of the hero” Sunday telegraph [London] (Mar 30, 2008), p. 22. Hewitt, Chris. “Son of Rambow – Two mismatched kids remind us just how magical going to the movies can be” St. Paul pioneer press [MN] (May 9, 2008), Weekend life, p. E4. Hoyle, Ben and Wise, Damon. “Low-budget British film puts boy actors in Hollywood frame” The times [London] (Jan 27, 2007), Home news, p. 31. Hubert, Andrea. “The guide; Boys in the mud: Hammer and Tongs’ new movie, Son of Rambow, is a riot of imagination, guerrilla filmmaking and 1980s childhood nostalgia. Andrea Hubert meets the maverick British directors” The guardian [London] (Mar 29, 2008), The guide, p. 4. Hunter, Allan. “Gold at the end of this Rambow” The express [England] (Apr 4, 2008), p. 48. Hunter, Sandy. “Hammer & Tongs go commando” Creativity (Oct 1, 2007), p. 12. Ide, Wendy. “The age of innocence” The times [London] (Apr 5, 2008), the knowledge, p. 8. Jones, Alan. “Young guns” Film review no. 695 (May 2008), p. 68-73. Kern, Laura. “Son of Rambow” Film comment 44/3 (May/Jun 2008), p. 72-3. Key, Philip. “Ready for action; Son of Rambow” Daily post [Liverpool] (Apr 4, 2008), Features, p. 6. Kimmel, Daniel M. “Sweet, unique coming of age film” Worcester telegram & gazette [MA] (May 23, 2008), Living, p. E3. Koehler, Robert. “Son of Rambow” Variety 405/12 (Feb 5, 2007), p. 99. LaSalle, Mick. “If only ‘Rambow’s’ aim were true” San Francisco chronicle (May 8, 2008), Datebook, p. E5 Laws, Roz. “A real son of a gun” Sunday Mercury [England] (Apr 6, 2008), p. 6. Lemire, Christy. “A wimp turns into a warrior: Kid’s moviemaking helps them thrive” The record [Hackensack, NJ] (May 2, 2008), Better living, p. G8. Levy, Shawn. “A charming quirkiness” The Oregonian [Portland, OR] (May 9, 2008), Arts & entertainment, p. R32. Leydon, Joe. “Comedy – Son of Rambow fits the Rambo hero mold” Houston chronicle (May 16, 2008), Star, p. 3. Lindsey, Craig D. “‘Rambow’ proves power of pretending” News & observer [Raleigh, NC] (May 23, 2008), What’s up, p. WUP10. Long, Tom. “Life changing Rambo roles – 2 teens get filmmaking education” Ventura County star [CA] (May 20, 2008), Life, p. ? Longino, Bob. “Movie mojo: ‘Rambow’ based on real-life experience; Revealing items from an exhibitionistic industry” Atlanta journal-constitution (may 23, 2008), Movies & more, p. H2. “A lovable ‘Rambow’” Washington post (May 9, 2008), Weekend, p. T28. Maher, Kevin. “A dangerous film for boys” The times [London] (Apr 3, 2008), Times2, p. 13. ______. “The game’s bonding. Male bonding” The times [London] (Apr 3, 2008), Times2, p. 15. Malcolm, Derek. “Lights, camera, traction; When two little boys decide to shoot their own version of Rambo: First Blood it’s not long before the mock heroic stunts go wrong” The evening standard [London] (Apr 3, 2008), p. 38. Marrs, John. “Jessica’s not kidding – her new flick is a true classic” Daily star [England] (Apr 4, 2008), Features, p. 46. Mayo, Jenny. “Jennings ‘Rambow’ games – Filmmaker seeks to recapture adventurous days of youth” Washington times (May 2, 2008), Show beyond Hollywood, p. D2. ______. “‘Rambow’ hits the target – Charmer follows boys’ growth making film” Washington times (May 9, 2008), p. D1. McCartney, Jenny. “Boys will be boys” Sunday telegraph [London] (Apr 6, 2008), p. 26. McClintock, Pamela (see under Zetchik, Steven) “A moment with Garth Jennings / writer, director” Seattle post-intelligencer (Apr 30, 2008), Life and arts, p. C1. Moore, Roger. “‘Inappropriate’ inspirations?” Orlando sentinel (May 12, 2008), Good living, p. C5. ______. “Meet John ‘Rambow’ – Two kids get inspired by Sylvester Stallone in the fetching ‘Son’” New Haven register (May 9, 2008), p. W41. Morfoot, Addie. “‘Rambow’ to rock film fest” Daily variety 295/9 (Apr 13, 2007), p. 4, 29. ______. “‘Son’ dances in Brooklyn” Daily variety 295/45 (Jun 5, 2007), p. 23. Mottram, James. “Son of Rambow” Film review no. 690 (Dec 2007), p. 65. ______. “Son of Rambow” Film review no. 695 (May 2008), p. 98. ______. “Sundance Film festival” Film review no. 681 (Apr 2007), p. 24. Pickle, Betsy. “Rocky ‘Rambow’ raised by kids, quirks” Knoxville news sentinel [TN] (May 23, 2008), Preview, p. 90. Pratt, Steve. “Cinema – Nice one son” The northern echo [England] (Apr 3, 2008), p. 3. Rahner, Mark. “Looking to Rambo for a little escape” Seattle times (May 9, 2008), Movie times, p. H22. Ratliff, Larry. “Flights of film fancy take off” San Antonio express-news (may 23, 2008), Weekender, p. 4H Rickey, Carrie. “Childhood reveries, suffused with Stallone visions” Philadelphia inquirer (May 9, 2008), Weekend, p. W4, W10. Robey, Tim. “Review; Son of Rambow; A summer of fun and splurges of ketchup; A film about two boys in the Eighties who spend the holidays making their own home-movie version of ‘Rambo’ is sweet, affectionate – and vaguely disappointing” The daily telegraph [London] (Apr 4, 2008), Film on Friday, p. 32. Robinson, Tasha. “Kid-centric reverie lightens the resume” Chicago tribune (May 9, 2008), Tempo movies, p. 4. Rodriguez, Rene. “Two pint-size Spielbergs show power of imagination” Miami herald (May 16, 2008), p. G15. Scott, Mike. “Below radar” Times-picayune [New Orleans, LA] (May 9, 2008), Lagniappe, p. 6. ______. “‘Son’ shines – Charming ‘Son of Rambow’ explores the world of gentler misfits” Times-picayune [New Orleans, LA] (May 23, 2008), Lagniappe, p. 7. Shoard, Catherine. “The Sundance kids film; Robert Redford named it, Quentin Tarantino stormed it. Catherine Shoard enjoys a walk-on part at the Utah film festival that is by turns shallow, passionate … and profligate” The Sunday telegraph [London] (Feb 4, 2007), Seven, p. 12. Smith, Garvin. “The sad eyes of Park City” Film comment 43/2 (Mar/Apr 2007), p. 66-7. “Soldier boyhood” New York post (May 2, 2008), 40. Solomons, Jason. “Review… A sly dig at Sly” The observer [England] (Feb 17, 2008), Observer review arts pages, p. 15. ______. “Watch this or I’ll smash yer face in” Mail on Sunday [London] (Apr 6, 2008), MS2, p. 54. “Son of Rambow” Entertainment weekly no. 988-989 (Apr 25, 2008), p. 45. “Son of Rambow” Film review no. 694 (Apr 2008), p. 130. “Son of Rambow” The Irish times (Apr 4, 2008), The ticket, p. 10. “Son of Rambow” Los Angeles times – Washington post news service (May 1, 2008) [NewsBank] “‘Son of Rambow’ not what you think” Chicago tribune RedEye edition (May 9, 2008), p. 38. Sragow, Michael. “Misfits, mates in joyful film” Sun times [Baltimore, MD] (May 16, 2008), Today, p. 1C. Stevens, Dana. “Son of Rambow” Slate (May 2, 2008) Strauss, Bob. “‘Son of Rambow’ kills with laughter, charm” Daily news of Los Angeles (May 2, 2008), LA.com, p. L3. Thompson, Anne. “Snow job revisited?” Variety (Jan 14-20, 2008), p. 99. Thompson, Gary. “‘Son of Rambow’ a sly satire of moviemaking” Philadelphia daily news (May 9, 2008), p. 54. Thomson, Desson. “‘Son of Rambow’: Powerful make-believe” Washington post (May 9, 2008), Style, p. C5. ______. “‘Son of Rambow’: Warrior with imaginative strength” Washington post (May 9, 2008), Style, p. C1. Toppman, Lawrence. “‘Son’ rises, then sets, then rises a bit – Uneven drama about young alienated Brits does have good heart” Charlotte observer [NC] (May 23, 2008), p. 7H. Vanchieri, Barbara. “‘Rambow’ is sly homage to the ‘80s” Pittsburgh post-gazette (May 23, 2008), Arts & entertainment, p. E1. Verniere, James. “Movie review; Young ‘Rambow’ heroes armed with imagination” Boston herald (May 9, 2008), The edge, p. ? Vice, Jeff. “Young stars glow in ‘Son of Rambow’” Deseret news [Salt Lake City, UT] (May 23, 2008), Weekend, p. W3. Vigil, Delfin. “Re-creating Rambo” San Francisco chronicle (May 4, 2008), Datebook, p. N28. Washington, Julie E. “‘Rambow’ is deeper than you’d expect” Plain dealer [Cleveland, OH] (May 16, 2008), Friday, p. 8. Whitty, Stephen. “Engaging but unfocused: Too many threads spoil weave of tales about 1980s British youths” Star-ledger [Newark, NJ] (may 3, 2008), Today, p. 17. Williams, Joe. “Despite some quirks, story of friendship is charmer” St. Louis post- dispatch (May 16, 2008), Screens, p. E3. Wise, Damon (see under Hoyle, Ben) Woodruff, Zachary. “‘Son of Rambow’ a derivative, odd film” San Diego union- tribune (May 15, 2008), Entertainment, Night & day-11. Zetchik, Steven and McClintock, Pamela. “Battle brews for ‘Rambow’” Variety (Jan 24, 2007), p. 4. ______. “Battle royale for ‘Rambow’” Daily variety 294/19 (Jan 24, 2007), p. 2, 8.
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