If I were to tell you that a story about a young aspiring Nazi whose deepest desire is to fight for Germany on the front lines during WWII could be funny, would you believe me? It’s understandable for one to assume that it would be impossible to find humor in this plotline, but leave it to Taika Waititi to portray Hilter as hilarious in the colorfully off-color satire, Jojo Rabbit.
Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) is, on one hand, a typical ten-year-old boy; he’s susceptible to propaganda and peer pressure – specifically that which supports the war. He also does his best to take care of his single mother, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson). But, on the other hand, Jojo is also a lonely empath with an imaginary friend who just so happens to be Adolf Hitler (Taiki Waititi). Jojo’s Hitler plays both devil and devil’s advocate; whether it’s encouraging Jojo to participate in wild acts or teaching him how to “properly” annunciate “Heil Hitler,” this imaginary sidekick is obviously not a great influence on young Jojo. When Jojo unexpectedly discovers that his mother has been hiding a Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their home, his allegiance to the Nazi party holds strong, and he threatens to turn her in. But Jojo quickly discovers that, despite being brainwashed into believing that all Jews are evil, he is starting to fall in love with the Jewish girl in the attic. Something that both the real and imaginary Hitler disapprove of.
Waititi, who himself grew up a Māori Jew, plays Hitler as a caricature, a larger than life goof with narcissistic tendencies who is mesmerizing to watch on screen. Roman Griffin Davis, in his first-ever film role, should be praised for multiple scene-stealing performances while going head to head with some of today’s top comedic talent. Davis’ co-stars include Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, and Stephen Merchant, all distinguishable talents who make the film memorable.
Jojo Rabbit is based on Christine Leunens’ novel Caging Skies, and the script is full of powerful one-liners and sharpshooting dialogue. However, the strongest accomplishment of the narrative is the amount of call back jokes that come full circle for complete satisfaction. The seeds that were planted at the beginning of the story are slowly watered throughout the film, and seeing them bloom in the third act is a reminder of how strategic and methodical the script actually is. Jojo Rabbit is like watching a game of chess, and the final scene is its checkmate.
Aside from the provocative jokes, nestled just beneath the surface, this is a story about tolerance and acceptance. There are plenty of moments that are unexpectedly heartfelt and emotional, it strikes a perfect balance between silliness and solemnity to create a meaty, well-rounded film. It’s been said that ‘”Children are not born with hate, they are trained to hate,” and Jojo Rabbit uses an unconventional and unforgettable approach to prove that point. – Morgan Rojas
JOJO RABBIT (2019)
Starring: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Written by: Taika Waititi
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Running time: 108 minutes
Playing: Opening 10/18 at ArcLight Hollywood and The Landmark
