How refreshing to see a British film not centred around gangsters, guns and girls and directed by Guy. How refreshing, too, to see it breakthrough into the mainstream, or at least semi mainstream. This probably belongs firmly alongside other British sleeper hits like The Full Monty, East is East and Bend it Like Beckham.
The film, set in a quiet, leafy, green, part of England in the 1980's, is focalised through Will, a naive, quietly idealistic, young boy brought up by his single mother, who is the member of a religious brethren. By accident, Will meets Lee Carter, a boy who, on the face of it, could not be more different than him. Again by accident, Will ends up watching Rambo: First Blood at Lee Carter's house (he is normally forbidden, by the brethren, from watching television) and is captivated by it. The two then set out to make a film, Son of Rambow, and set out on a journey together during which they come to realise they might have more in common than they had ever thought...
It's a nice message and it's well done, although the same point is made (and certainly more effectively) by the brilliant and bittersweet Stand By Me (and a host of other 'coming-of-age' movies). The chemistry between the two young leads seems natural and sweet, although during the moments when they are apart you cannot help but feel that Will Poulter (Lee Carter) is carrying Bill Milner (Will). It might seem harsh to criticise such a young actor, especially one who is clearly putting everything into what he was doing (and clearly loving every minute), but it isn't a hugely effective performance and the film's overall emotional punch suffers as a result. Poulter, however, as the enigmatic and charming Lee Carter, is excellent and is more than able to carry the film. His is a talent I would expect to hear more of in the coming years. The supporting cast is good as well, full of bright eyes and bright minds and the film is able to bubble and churn along at a nice, bright, pace that reflects the dreamy English summer which forms its backdrop. It is particularly hard not to like Jules Sitruk's breezy effort as Didier Revol, the exotic French exchange student who charms the whole school with his charismatic 'otherness'.
Son of Rambow is a perfectly enjoyable way to spend an evening or a Sunday afternoon, though it's not a film you should expect to change your life. It's well done, well directed and, for the most part, well acted, but it falls short of greatness. The effects grated with me when they were supposed to be charming and reflective of childhood imagination and freedom and the dialogue is often not up to much. That said, although it is shmaltzy in places, there are also a few very well done, and surprising, more serious and innovative moments that strike emotional chords when you least expect (the scene following Dider's departure from the school is particularly noteworthy in this regard) and director Garth Jennings deserves credit for that. The score is also awesome in places.
Some may say it's unfair to criticise a film for not changing your life. And I would agree, as far as that goes. I enjoyed this and it never once drags, but it certainly didn't inspire me enough to ever contemplate watching it again. And that, perhaps, is the essence of the dividing line that separates the cinematic great from the cinematic good.
B-
No comments:
Post a Comment