Week 1: Son of Rambow

When I was in elementary school, my little brother and I liked to spend afternoons biking. We were supposed to stick to our block, and weren't allowed to cross the street, but one day we decided to break that rule and explore elsewhere. We got lost quickly and spent what seemed like hours finding our way home. I remember how relieved I was when I could finally see the house again, but I don’t think I ever regretted the adventure and I didn’t think about the potential danger involved until years later, when I was older. 

It’s hard to say what defines a child because throughout history, children have been treated many different ways and given many different levels of responsibility. There are some things though, reflected in stories for children from as far back as recorded history, that remain the same. Many of these stories focus on the joy in adventure, consequences of disregarding danger, and the need to come home.

The two main characters in “Son of Rambow” come from very different backgrounds. Will Proudfoot was raised as part of a strict religious sect that forbids watching television and listening to music. Lee Carter lives with his teenage brother while his mother is overseas. During the film, they’re working on an entry for a youth film-making competition. They have no adult support or supervision. Will’s mother disapproves of their friendship, and Lee’s older brother doesn’t pay attention to him, so the two boys are free to make the film on their own. Will especially seems to enjoy the production, despite the dangerous activities it involves. Even when Will falls out of a tree or nearly drowns, he’s enjoying himself. This need for adventure and disregard for danger is something I think all children share, and one thing that separates them from adults.

Adventure is desirable but it’s easy to lose control when you’re exploring new arenas, especially without the experience that comes with age. As time goes on, the production starts to get out of hand. Will, enjoying his newfound freedom a little too much, invites more and more people to be in the movie. Lee starts to feel left out, and eventually quits. Then, during the last scene they film, both of them are nearly killed. This makes me think of fairy tales and cautionary stories where children venture into the woods and get eaten by witches or wolves, or get into trouble. An example of this is “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” in which Mickey Mouse plays with magic and ends up flooding the building he’s in.

However, in these stories there is often some form of redemption or rescue. In the end of “Son of Rambow,” Will’s mother decides to let him keep his new friends even when that means being excommunicated from their faith, and Lee’s brother starts to notice and actively care about Lee. Both characters come home in ways that strengthen their ties to their families. This kind of homecoming is one of the most satisfying ends to any child's adventure.