Son Of Rambow (12A)

5:55pm Thursday 3rd April 2008

TWO boys making their own home movie version of First Blood, the cinema debut of Vietnam vet John Rambo hardly sounds like much of an idea for a film.

But writer-director Garth Jennings not only taps into our sense of nostalgia for childhood and wanting to play at being an action hero, but takes the opportunity to meditate on the nature of friendship.

All of which makes Son Of Rambow sound a lot less fun than it is. Not for nothing is it being pushed as the feelgood movie of the year. That means you leave the cinema with a nice warm glow and happy memories, as opposed to a rotten movie that only makes you feel good when it's over. Youngsters Will and Lee Carter could hardly come from more different backgrounds. Will has been raised in a Plymouth Brethern home where music, TV and movies are all banned. Lee, on the other hand, is a boy of the world, into bullying and petty crime.

Will's restricted life changes after he's recruited to help Lee make a home movie based on the first Rambo film. The sight of this pair acting like a pair of would-be Spielbergs and Stallones as they re-enact Rambo is sheer delight, not least because these novice actors are so natural and believable. Some business about a very cool French exchange student is worked into the story too, as are Jessica Hynes as Will's strict mother and Eric Sykes as a pensioner cast in a key role in the boys' home movie. But it's the young actors who are the real stars of the show.

Stars: Will Poulter, Bill Milner, Jessica Hynes, Eric Sykes, Ed Westwick
Running time: 96 mins
Rating: Four stars

Editor's Choice