Why does Great Britain produce such great comedies?. Maybe it's the accents or the culture, or perhaps British humor just has to do with Brits being intrinsically funny in a way Americans aren't.

"Son of Rambow" is, in some ways, a classic British comedy. However, it could also be considered a coming-of-age film or a family-friendly movie. Either way you look at it, "Son of Rambow" is a good, funny and heartwarming movie.

If you've already seen the new "Indiana Jones" movie or "Iron Man," this film has some of those same action-adventure moments, but with a little more heart.

"Son of Rambow" opened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007 and has since been hitting other film festivals -- Newport Beach, Seattle International, Toronto and Glasgow -- before being released in the United States. This is one of those refreshing movies to come out of the festival circuit. Sometimes they tend to be dull, drab or even too violent. "Son of Rambow," is entertaining and upbeat with only a little bit of playful violence.

Writer/director Garth Jennings previously worked behind the camera on "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" in 2005. This is his first time writing for a movie and it turned out very well. While some of the lines are clearly an exaggeration, they fit with the flow and tone of the film.

This is definitely a movie of beginnings. "Son of Rambow" is the cinematic debut of Bill Milner, who plays Will Proudfoot. It's also his costar Will Poulter's first film. But, you never would have known. Both look so comfortable on camera it makes me wonder if they were good friends off-camera. Their on-screen chemistry is a treat to watch.

"Son of Rambow" is an eccentric romp about growing up and the pains of childhood. Kids begin to question their parents and wonder if what they've been taught since before they can remember is true. Although this is targeted toward families, parts may be a bit racy with questionable language for some children, but it probably isn't anything they haven't heard before.

It's the 1980s in England and Will Proudfoot has grown up in a metaphorical bubble. His family belongs to a church called the Plymouth Brethern, and he's not allowed to watch television, movies or listen to music. He becomes caught up with Lee Carter (Poulter), a street-smart bully who wants to turn his home movie-making into a career by filming a piece for a local filmmaking contest.

Lee has Will watch "First Blood," starring Sylvester Stallone. From that moment on, Will has a whole new perspective on life. Because he's fatherless, he gets this strange idea that his dad is Rambo. Now Will wants to be part of Lee's scheme, doing stunts and acting he never thought he would because of his religion. Will was an outcast before, but with Lee's help he's becoming more open with people and making friends.

A group of French exchange students comes to Lee's school including Didier Revol (Jules Sitruk), a kid all of his classmates thought was strange but was fascinating to the English. Because of Didier's unique look, Will wants him to be part of their movie, but Lee disagrees and feels left out of the process. Eventually, Will must decide between his family and religion or his friends in this wonderful tale of growing up.

"Son of Rambow" is a fun, lovely story about young friendship. I'm glad this movie is opening in Utah. Many will enjoy it because it isn't expected to be good, unlike "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." So take a chance with an independent film that will definitely leave you smiling.

missy@tooeletranscript.com