Jojo Rabbit review

JOJO RABBIT:

TAIKA WAITITI’S IRREVERENT WWII COMEDY IS UPROARIOUS WHILE ALSO RETAINING A BIZARRE CHILDLIKE INNOCENCE!

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES

Roman Griffin Davis, Taika Waititi, and Scarlett Johansson in Jojo Rabbit

            A young boy living in Nazi Germany during World War II has his life and perspective on the world turned upside down when he discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his attic in Jojo Rabbit, the latest film from director Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok) and based on the book Caging Skiesby Christine Leunens. Ever since I saw 2015’s What We Do in the Shadows I’ve adored Waititi’s work as a director, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is an incredibly funny and moving story with incredible performances by Sam Neill and Julian Dennison and Thor: Ragnarok is one of my favorite installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so this guy’s got mad talent and a unique sense of humor.

            So, I was all-in when his next project Jojo Rabbit was announced featuring Waititi in a comedic portrayal of the infamous leader of the Nazis, Adolf Hitler. Hey, if Mel Brooks can satirize the Nazis with The Producers then Taika Waititi can do it too. 

            Much like Joker this is another very polarizing movie and rightfully so, the funny portrayal of Nazis has divided both critics and audiences and subject matter like this for a comedy is very subjective depending on the person. As long as it generates laughs then we’re in business…by the way it does.

            Jojo Rabbit is absolutely hilarious, and the premise is both surreal and remarkably clever helmed by some outstanding performances by its cast and balancing between its bizarre humor with a surprising amount of heart. I feel dirty for admitting this, but every time Taika Waititi showed up as Hitler it was immediately followed by a dopey smile on my face and laughter…yes, Hitler made me smile (at least in this movie).

            The film follows Jojo (Newcomer, Roman Griffin Davis), a ten-year-old boy living in Nazi Germany during World War II with his single mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson-Lost in Translation, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Her) who has an unusual imaginary friend. Why unusual you may ask? Well, it just happens to be a supportive and childish version of one of the most infamous people in history, Adolf Hitler (Waititi). 

            One day after his Hitler Youth training camp, Jojo discovers something that will change his life forever, a young Jewish girl hiding in his attic named Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie-The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Shortland Street, Leave No Trace). Since the laws in Nazi Germany regarding Jewish people have become so strict to the point where it’s hilarious, Jojo agrees to keep Elsa safe in the attic all the while Elsa opens Jojo’s eyes and shows him a new perspective on the world he never knew before. 

            The film also stars Sam Rockwell (Moon, Iron Man 2, Vice) as Captain Klenzendorf, Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect trilogy, Isn’t It Romantic?) as Fräulein Rahm, Stephen Merchant (The Office (UK), Extras, Good Boys) as Deertz, and Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones, John Wick, The Predator) as Finkel.

            Overall, Jojo Rabbit is a riot from beginning to end and probably the sweetest Nazi movie you will ever see if that even makes sense. The best way I can describe it is part screwball comedy, part romantic comedy that just happens to revolve around a Nazi boy and a Jewish girl…and in a bizarre way it works.

            As coldblooded as the Nazis were back in World War II I was strangely attached to Jojo as a character because when you really think about it, he’s just a normal kid who just wants to belong part of something big. But over the course of the movie, he learns that maybe what he always wanted isn’t quite as it seems and decides to follow a different path, and Roman Griffin Davis sells not only the comedic moments but also the dramatic and heartfelt parts…hope you go places kid.

            Of course, the rest of the cast have their moments to shine, Thomasin McKenzie as Elsa is absolutely charming, funny, and has plenty of screen-time with Roman, they’re kind of adorable, Rebel Wilson and Sam Rockwell are both hilarious and wacky whenever they appear, and Scarlett Johansson gives some of her best acting since Lost in Translation, I am dead serious and in a bizarre twist, it’s a humorous performance and if she got to improv her dialogue then she deserves an Oscar. 

            And yes, let’s talk about Taika Waititi as Hitler, I don’t know how he did it but he somehow made one of the most despised people in history (somewhat) lovable and similar to what Trey Parker and Matt Stone do on South Parkor Randall Park’s portrayal of Kim Jong-un from The Interview, he took a notorious person from reality and made him into a bumbling doofus but he does have his supportive moments with Jojo. It really makes you wish the real Hitler was a lot more like this guy, at least Waititi is fun-loving and quirky.

            People will either love or hate this movie and that is perfectly fine, talk about it with other people and express your opinions and views on the film like adults. But I feel your enjoyment of this movie all depends on how far you’d be willing to go along with the joke, if you can then you’ll get a lot of laughs and a heartwarming story about two polar opposites forming a friendship. 

            Jojo Rabbit adds another witty, surreal, and very well-acted film in Taika Waititi’s resumé that blends its irreverent humor with a surprising amount of heart. Whether you can run along with the joke of a comedic portrayal of Nazis or not I’d say it’s worth at least a viewing and then you can make your own judgment. 

Closing this review off with one of the best lines I’ve heard all year “F*ck off Hitler!”, yes indeed.