A dualism in
parenting and intake of media exist and compete in The Son of Rambow (2007). Neither parenting style “wins,” but there
is compromise, moderation and learning. There is also a balance found with
media intake because extremes of any kind are detrimental.
Will grows up in a very restrictive
environment. His family belongs to the religion of “The Brethren” where very
traditional values are kept. Worldly media (music and movies) are shunned and
they are taught to avoid integration with worldly people as well. Lee Carter
has no parent figure and he can watch anything and everything, and as a result
he also does everything and anything to those around him. (Because film doesn’t
have real life consequences and without a parent, neither does Lee Carter.) To
this extent, media is demonized at the beginning of the film. Will seems to be
really moral and he has no media in his life, while Lee Carter is very amoral
and has an excess of media.
After Will is exposed to Rambo,
however, we learn that he can be just as unprincipled at Lee Carter. He was
“moral” because he knew nothing else. It goes back to the idea of opposition
with Adam and Eve. Will was so innocent; he couldn’t do bad or good. For
example, when he’s helping Lee Carter at the beginning, he’s being manipulated
and doesn’t recognize motive. Film is Will’s forbidden fruit. But in LDS
doctrine we acknowledge all the growth that came for Adam and Eve (and to the
world) because they partook of the fruit. Media ends up helping Will to cope
with the loss of his father and connect with the “Other(s)” of his world. Media
provides a means for Lee Carter to channel his energy and also leads to
reconciliation with his brother. Film, in a sense, tames Lee Carter, while it
ignites the wild side of Will. Although this uninhibited nature is dangerous at
the outset, Will learns from the consequences and becomes a better friend, and
essentially a better human being. And the audience learns that Lee Carter is
not only motivated by the goal to submit a film to a festival, but that he is
also motivated by love—for his brother and for Will. The film provides an
outlet for this virtue to be developed as he decides to put people first and
ultimately saves Will.
This film is very similar to our
class discussion about the common theme of going out into the world to
experiment and then returning home to a safe place—a hero’s journey for kids.
This occurs in “Where the Wild Things Are” when Max enjoys his dream, but
realizes he’d like to be home for dinner and where someone loves him. In The Son of Rambow, however, Will and Lee
Carter are not the only ones that change. During their process of adventure and
learning, their home lives are affected. Lee Carter’s older brother learns how
much Lee Carter cares for him and has a change of heart so Lee Carter has a
home to return to. His place of return is created because of the journey he
takes. Will’s mother chooses family over religion so when he returns there is
more acceptance and flexibility within his home life from his mom for the “Other”
he has already incorporated into his life.
Media emerges triumphant because
within the filmmaking process growth occurs and a deeper and more empathetic
understanding of others develops. The film operates under the condition that
children are impressionable, but equipped with more knowledge, the impressions
on them can be developed for good, and in this case for charity, friendship,
and understanding.
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