Son of Rambow

Son of Rambow is a touching, coming of age drama about two boys who become friends while trying to make a film for a contest.

Will Proudfoot (played by Bill Milner), is an introverted boy, whose family is a member of the Plymouth Brethren sect. Will is prohibited from watching movies or television, and has to leave the classroom when his teacher puts on a video. In the hallway, he meets Lee Carter (Will Poulter), one of the worst behaved kids in school. The two accidentally break a fishbowl in the hallway, and Lee volunteers to take the blame if Will acts in a movie he is making for the Screen Test Young Film-Makers' Competition. Conflict arises over the direction of the film, which threatens to tear the new friends apart.

The best part of this movie was the acting of Will Poulter as Lee Carter. He portrayed drive and determination uncommon in a child. He showed a lot of flexibility as an actor and projected maturity well beyond his years.

The worst part of this movie was the actual conflict written into the film. I didn't understand at all Carter disbanding the project after some extra people were brought in. If anything, I'd think he'd want the extra people to help expand roles in his movie.

If you want to see a touching drama set on the background of amateur filmmaking, see Son of Rambow.