Filmmakers got OK from
Stallone to make Son of Rambow
Young boys’ reactions to First Blood is subject of the British action movie
By Tim French, Staff Writer
Paramount Vantage
Producer Nick Goldsmith and writer/director Garth Jennings interwove stories of their childhood into Son of Rambow’s script.
Most movie directors and producers probably don’t play ping pong with members of the press. But writer/director Garth Jennings and producer Nick Goldsmith aren’t most moviemakers. They’re the creative minds behind Son of Rambow, an affectionate tale about two British school kids who decide to make their own neighborhood action movie.
The two adult Brits sometimes play ping pong with inquisitive reporters when they’re not making music videos or movies through their Hammer & Tongs production company.
Jennings is best known for his directorial debut, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and has made videos for such bands as Supergrass and Radiohead. Goldsmith is his good friend, producer and business partner.
Jennings described his fresh experiences in Dallas, how he and Goldsmith attended their first hockey game, how they were surprised by the number of fights that could break out at one athletic event.
While Jennings went back to playing ping pong, Goldsmith talked about his dog, about how unnecessary car ownership is in London.
Then they both talked about the soon-to-be-released Rambow and its depiction of young boys’ reactions to Sylvester Stallone’s First Blood. They didn’t want to use any other film as the magnet attracting two little kids to moviemaking.
Jennings interwove stories of his own childhood filmmaking and a fictional character he created, Aaron. Goldsmith recalled winding a tie around his head as a favorite costume.
“The fact that it [Rambow] is happening in the ‘80s does not mean you have to know about the ‘80s,” Goldsmith said.
But he and Jennings were little kids in the ‘80s, and they did see First Blood. And they were relieved when Stallone said they could build Rambow around his old Rambo series.
“Not just relieved!” Jennings shouted. “Delighted!” Then he mused that First Blood “is a bizarre movie to be affectionate towards.” Both Jennings and Goldsmith insisted that there will be no sequel for Son of Rambow.
“We were laying ourselves bare,” Goldsmith said.
“I concur,” Jennings added.