Movie Review: Jojo Rabbit

Taika Waititi’s long-awaited Nazi comedy delivers an entertaining, humorous story from a risky starting point.

Jojo Rabbit, ever since I first heard of it was one of my most anticipated movie releases for next year. Fortunately, I was able to catch an earlier screening and although I wasn’t in the best seat, when the screening filled up five minutes into the film’s beginning, I knew I was lucky just to be here. The atmosphere was best compared to when I saw Star Wars episode seven on opening night with my friends. It was a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

The film stars Roman Griffin Davis as the titular Jojo. Jojo an aspiring Nazi in the Hitler Youth who’s not too popular amongst the other youths but has two friends. Yorki (Archie Yates) and his imaginary companion, Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi). After an unfortunate incident involving a grenade leaves Jojo scarred and crippled he is forced to stay home and can’t join the army like he wished to. While he’s at his home he discovers that his mother, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jew, Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie). Hanging out with Elsa leaves Jojo questioning his Nazi morals and everything he knows.

To start, this film is a lot more dramatic than I thought it’d be. Obviously when representing Nazis, one must be careful to not show sympathy as they are as evil as one can be. This film treads the line of the madness that was the Nazi’s with childish hopefulness and dreams. Jojo is optimistic and follows Hitler’s word to a t, he hates Jews but is also shown to not be as violent as some of his colleagues. In the opening he is forced by some of the older kids to kill a rabbit, when he runs away, they call him Jojo Rabbit. Waititi’s Hitler cheers him up and we’re shown just how much Hitler influences Jojo’s life. Or at least, an interpretation of Hitler that jumps out of windows and eats Unicorn.

The performances by all were very impressive and entertaining. Jojo himself possibly could’ve redone some takes, but that’s all to really complain about. Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell performed exceptionally well with both entertainment value and dramatic. Rockwell’s opening speech to start off the camp as a great example of the film’s humour. His role was very reminiscent of his Oscar-winning role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri but probably won’t get the same level of celebration. Waititi’s Hitler of course is nothing to make fun of. Like his real-life counterpart the character is naturally funny but threatening with the power he holds. At one moment he comments on a Jew’s ability to hypnotise people and how the only person that should be in control of Jojo’s head is Jojo. However, failing to recognise that he himself is manipulating Jojo with his ideals and morals.

This review has been rather vague with later story details, but that’s simply been due to my not wishing to spoil the film for anyone. It’s too brilliant for me to ever dare risk spoiling with discussing the more tragic moments and the ways that the film keeps you engaged and worried for Elsa and Jojo.

One final note, the music, popular songs sang in German is more beautiful than I ever would’ve thought.

Overall Jojo is going to be worth your watch. Of course, there’ll be numerous other films fighting for your attention at the start of the next year, but Jojo is unlike anything I’ve seen before. As a fan of comedy as well as history this kind of film was right up my alley. But this film transcends its themes. Jojo is a great film to see with your friends. I for one will be taking my oldest friends to see it when it is released on New Years Day 2020.