Son Of Rambow (2008/Paramount DVD)
Picture: C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: C
I like
the small film that breaks out as much as anyone, but Garth Jennings’ Son Of Rambow (2008) about two young
boys who find an unlikely friendship with one in a single mother household
missing his father and turning out to be good at sketching at an early age,
while the other wants to make a film after seeing the first Rambo film with Sylvester
Stallone. They are believable; it has
some good comedy and an interesting situation, but never takes off as much as
it could have.
As I
watched, I was reminded of Michel Gondry’s recent film Be Kind Rewind (reviewed elsewhere on this site) in which the leads
(both males) have to remake a bunch of films since the VHS tapes were
accidentally wiped clean. That film also
had problems making the most of the situation, even with the best of intents
like this film. In both cases, there is
more to say and do as the films have character development issues, but Son Of Rambow is child-friendly enough
and I could see it becoming a belated hit or cult item of some kind. Unfortunately, it is average at best.
The
anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image is not bad, but a little weak and soft,
while the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is bound to its dialogue and even the use of
music seems to be in the front speakers, but the mix is clean at least. Extras include a group audio commentary
(cast/crew/Jennings), making of featurette and the short film that inspired
this film, Aron.
- Nicholas Sheffo
