Easily one of the best movies of the year. Time and time again, audiences like to complain that creativity is dead in Hollywood. Movie choices today are restricted to the typical superhero fare and bland big-budget farces like “Men in Black: International,” “Gemini Man” and “Terminator: Dark Fate.” Despite these arguments carrying some weight, movies such as “Jojo Rabbit” break this mold.
“Jojo Rabbit” is the newest film by New Zealand director Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok”) and is perhaps the most unique film to release this year. No other film in recent memory has elicited so many reactions of laughter, sadness, warmth and excitement. Combined with a stellar cast, “Jojo Rabbit” proves that Waititi is one of the best up-and-coming filmmakers working today.
Set in Nazi Germany, 10-year-old Johannes Jojo Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) is a jignostic supporter of the Nazi regime. This devotion is reflected through Jojo’s imaginary friend Adolf (Waititi, “Avengers: Endgame”), who is a childish version of the infamous fascist dictator. Some of the film’s best moments include Jojo’s interactions with Adolf, which extend beyond comic relief to add layers to Jojo’s perception of the world around him.
Certain people may feel apprehensive to watch this film due to its subject manner, but context manners. Even though Jojo supports the Nazis, his commitment to his country is completely understandable considering the circumstances. He may be susceptible to brainwashing and propaganda, but he is also a product of his environment. In fact, Jojo’s background allows room for growth and understanding. This includes his impressions of Jews, who he believes are nasty monsters who terrorize children. We all know this is false, but the transition Jojo experiences to change this viewpoint is the most heartwarming moment of the film.
Davis is joined by Scarlett Johansson (“Marriage Story”) as Jojo’s mother, Rosie, whose portrayal is both believable and heartfelt. Johansson has proven her worth as an actress numerous times over, but her interactions with Jojo are so genuine that you feel as if he were her own child. Needless to say, Rosie is the best mother character in years.
The rest of the impressive cast includes Sam Rockwell (“The Best of Enemies”) as the bumbling Captain Klenzendorf, Alfie Allen, (“The Predator”) as Klezendorf’s loyal assistant, Rebel Wilson (“The Hustle”) as a brutish instructor and Thomasin McKenzie (“The King”) as a Jewish girl being hidden in the Betzler home.
“Jojo Rabbit” is a very amusing film with most of the comedy emitting from its well-written characters. Rockwell’s performance in particular is splendid as he could have easily been a disposable source of goofy jokes but even he receives moments of greatness in the film’s climax. Even Wilson is enjoyable to watch as her humor extends into dark territory. Another highlight is Stephen Merchant (“Good Boys”) as a Gestapo agent who manages to be amusingly menacing.
Overall, “Jojo Rabbit” is a funny, heartwarming film with magnificent performances and great characters. That may sound odd coming from a movie featuring a boy who speaks to an imaginary Adolf Hilter, but Watiti’s direction and screenplay have yielded a spectacular picture.
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