Son of Rambow

An absolute delight, blessedly free of sentimentality and cute kids. For those of a certain age, the details ring totally true. The early shot of the cinema full of smokers sets the tone (I remember watching Bambi in just such a setting) and the rest of the film follows. The mere mention of scree in the geography lesson took me right back. Best of all, the kids feel like real human beings instead of child actors playing a role. From their POV, the sixth form common room is a New Romantic disco, the French exchange students exotic and exciting creatures, and Rambo the filmic forbidden fruit. In this world, imagination knows no bounds - a rest home becomes a rambling mansion full of wonders (not least the pirate video itself), a rather pathetic scarecrow transforms into a terrifying creature, and a dog can fly (sort of). Even reality itself takes a turn for the better, at least for this summer ...