Son of Rambow (2007)

Son of Rambow

• British comedy
• actors: Bill Milner, Will Poulter, Jules Sitruk
• director: Garth Jennings (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)
• year: 2007
• company: Paramount Vantage, Celluloid Dreams Production, Good a co production, Arte France Cinema, Network Movie, Soficinema 2&3, Hammer & Tongs

Themes:

• friendship of 2 boys from high school (Lee Carter and Will)
• friendship between the French and English boys
• different background: religious family vs average non-religious
• lack of parents
• filmmaking (BBC ScreenTest)
• England in the ‘80s
• movies and their influence on children (Rambo - First Blood)

Comedy elements

• slapstick
• stereotypes (French vs English)
• builds on a well-known character (Rambo)
• childish imagination (animated parts)

Narrative Structure: linear  forward (few flashbacks)

Propp’s Theory (8 spheres of action):

• Hero: Lee Carter (Will Poulter) and Will (Bill Milner) - director and writer of movie
• False Hero: Didier Revol (Jules Sitrouk) - French student who wants to be a star
• Villain: Joshua is leader of the religious group who tries to replace the father and keep Will away from the real world
• Princess: the video/ story that needs to be finished
• Dispatcher: BBC Screen Test competition
• Donor: Lee’s brother -  helps them to finish the video
• Helper: students from school
• Father: Will’s mum understands his son’s intentions