Animation Case

Feature film takes us as viewers to another time and place. We are taken on an imaginative journey with the protagonist and view the world from another perspective. In the film 'Son of Rambow' (2008) by Garth Jennings the world of two very different English schoolboys is brought to life. Through the 1980's setting we view the clash and friendship between these two boys and learn that friendship is important and that imagination is a significant part of growing up. Jennings explores these ideas through the distinctive features of film including music, animation and juxtaposition.

Friendship is a gift that should be shared. True friends stick together through good and bad times. This is symbolised in the scene of the 'Blood Brothers' and that is two or more men not related by birth who have sworn loyalty to each other. The long shot of Will jumping into the river and declaring that he can't swim pushes Lee into action. The underwater close up of Lee grabbing Will's hand and rescuing him cements their relationship.

The extent of their friendship reaches new heights. As the boys become blood brothers they clasp hands and Lee confides in Will about his absent parents declaring "Parents, you're pretty much better off without them" causes us as viewers to feel sympathy for this neglected boy. Lee's independence and confidence is a survival technique and highlights the lack of moral direction he has received from his absent parents. Will exclaims "This has pretty much been my best day of all time" as he leaves Lee, which identifies the importance of friendship to Will, a feeling of acceptance and inclusion. Exclaiming they will always be blood brothers.

Religion versus creativity is seen very often throughout the movie. The conflict between the boy's two worlds is raised in this scene where Will is forced to attend a prayer meeting and Lee is stealing a plastic dog to use in his 'Screen test film and waiting for Will to come and continue filming. The more of the lean towards his creativity rather than his religion. There are many situations where this happens and more often than not Will Proudfoot's creativity wins but still feels the need as if he is not impressing his mother. Will feels torn between the religious order in which he has been raised and the world of film and fun that he has only recently experienced. When another boy from the brethren asks William whether his school was too worldly, there is a close up of Will inspecting the blood brothers wound on his hand. This shot exemplifies Will's confusion over his desire to be a part of the world that his religion forbids. The close up shot of Will with his head leaning out of the car highlights his dreamy expression, the perspective then changes so that as viewers we see the thoughts in Will's mind, they are animated explosions. This shot illustrates that creativity

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