Son of Rambow is a superb feel good / coming of age movie, and a fitting tribute to First Blood by writer director Garth Jennings, who loosely chronicles his attempt at re-creating the Sylvester Stallone classic with the family camcorder during his childhood. Incidentally, the film received Stallone’s blessing.

Set during 1982, the film focuses on the exploits of William (Bill Milner), a highly imaginative child whose family are apart of The Brethren, a religious sect who opt for a simple lifestyle which forbids television and radio, amongst other things.

One day he meets Lee (Will Poulter), a social delinquent taken care of by his scumbag older brother Lawrence (Ed Westwick) while their mother travels around Spain with her new rich hubby.

Lee has bootlegged the new Sylvester Stallone movie First Blood. After William watches the film, he becomes invigorated and enamoured with the power of cinema. Together, Lee and William join forces to create an action film in order to win a young filmmaker competition: Son of Rambow.

In the process Jennings applauds the power and magic of the imagination and the creativity which it conjures, especially during our youth.

A sad fact that there is no way this film would have worked if it were set in the present, since the venturous shenanigans of generations passed have been replaced with helicopter parenting, and enough red tape within parks (and other public places) that a blister in the thumb can warrant legal action.     

Surprisingly, this film also works as a loose satire and commentary on Hollywood, especially how fame and celebrity can derail the creative process. A scene lampooning the excesses of fame which depicts sixth graders with stick on tattoos riskily mixing their crackle pop with Cocoa Cola, as others throw up from excess sugar, is very funny.

The performances by child actors Bill Milner and Will Poulter are extraordinary, especially from Milner who reminds of Freddie Highmore. Let’s hope his career follows in the same direction.