On the way to shooting "Son of Rambow," directors Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith (aka Hammer & Tongs) were offered the chance to direct Douglas Adams' quirky classic, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." No fools, they jumped at the chance.

When "Hitchhiker" wrapped, they returned to "Son of Rambow," a paean to childhood, filmmaking and unlikely friendships.

Based on their own boyhoods in the 1980s, "Son of Rambow" stars first-time actor Bill Milner as Will Proudfoot, born in England into a religious sect called The Brethren, who eschew TV, radio, newspapers, novels, records and anything that could distract an adherent from worship.

Will ends up in an alliance with another outsider, class bully Lee Carter (Will Poulter, in his first role), who introduces Will to (or corrupts him with) "Rambo: First Blood" and drafts him into helping with Lee's latest videocam film. Will becomes the stunt man in the kind of goofy stunts only a kid would do.

"Rambow's" amateur stars are perfect for their roles, exhibiting all the enthusiasm, imagination and foolish daring of that age group and looking like they're having a whale of a time at it.

Also a hoot is teenage French star Jules Sitruk as überpopular French exchange student Didier Revol, whose desire to be in the film improves Will and Lee's nonexistent social standing.

"Son of Rambow" isn't heavy with meaning or even particularly unusual as coming-of-age films go. But if you recall childhood as an outsider or have a fondness for making movies, this will speak to you.

Opens May 16, 2008 at Hillcrest Cinemas. Rated PG-13 for some violence and reckless behavior.
For screening times and other info: http://www.landmarktheatres.com