Son of Rambow

Even if you get past its misspelled title (yes, writer/director Garth Jennings is referencing Sylvester Stallone’s ‘80s era "Rambo" movies), there isn’t enough narrative grist to satisfy its would-be nostalgic British adult target audience. Set in Hertfordshire, in the early ‘80s, 10-year-old Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) is coping with the death of his father under religiously strict household when he meets tough little Lee Carter (Will Poulter). Lee shows Will a "Rambo" movie on a beat-up VHS tape, and makes Will promise to perform in an amateur movie he’s making based on Rambo-styled fight sequences. The movie doesn’t know if it wants to be a kid’s movie (it’s not), or just a prepubescent reverie. Either way "Son of Rambow" is a slapdash story told in a slapdash way.

Rated PG-13, 95 mins. (D+) (One Star)