Directed by Taika Waititi

Starring: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, violence, and language

Writer and director Taiki Waititi brings the novel, “Caging Skies”, to life in this dark comedy, “Jojo Rabbit”. “Jojo Rabbit” stars Roman Griffin Davis as a Hitler Youth, an organization for young children ran by the Nazi Party. Jojo is a 10 year old boy who loves his country and is willing to fight on the battlefield. But one day he discovers a young Jewish girl (played by Thomasin McKenzie) living in his house. Jojo, along with the help of his mother (played by Scarlett Johansson) must hide the young Jewish girl towards the end of World War 2.

“Jojo Rabbit” is a very funny film. Most of the jokes come at the expense of Nazis and their ridiculous ideas. But there is an issue with the film portraying Adolf Hitler and his Nazis as fun. In the beginning of the film, we see the real Adolf Hitler being adored by the German people, to the tune of the German version of “I Want to Hold Your Hand”. It’s one thing to show how brainwashed the German people were into seeing Adolf Hitler as a savior, but the upbeat music of the Beatles portrays him, well as he was John Lennon himself. I understand this is meant to be how the German people saw Hitler as the Beatles and how brainwashed they were, but the way it was convey makes viewers uncomfortable. It is scenes like this take me out of the film and questions Waititi’s comedic direction at times.

But just because the comedy of the film is uncomfortable at times, doesn’t mean that the film is unfunny. It is quite funny and very sweet. Waititi is a writer who knows how to write jokes that works. Not only are the comedic sides of the film great, but the writing as well. There are multiple scenes of tension and sadness that work great and have the viewer engaged. When a moment of sadness is presented on screen, the audience sympathizes with the characters, not only because of the acting, but because of how written those scenes are.

The acting in “Jojo Rabit” is top notch. Scarlett Johansson as Rosie, steals each scene as Jojo’s mother who is secretly against the Nazi government and hopes the war ends soon. Although her role is very brief, her presence on screen leaves a big impact long after she is gone. Sam Rockwell also stars in the film as an Army officer who was wounded in the war and is now tasked with running the Hitler Youth camp. His role is very comedic and quite likable, considering what he is an officer for the Nazis and has disparaging things to say about Jews. The reason why he is likable is probably because of his final scene in the film that makes him redeemable.

Roman Griffin Davis and Thomasin McKenzie, as Jojo and Elsa respectively, have a great chemistry on screen. Jojo is a character who is sympathetic to the government’s cause and even talks to an imaginary version of Adolf Hitler. Elsa is a young Jewish girl who is trying to hide from the government and from Jojo. So when they are first on screen, the viewer wonders what would Nazi sympathetic Jojo would do next. But slowly we see these two characters get along and form a bond, which I really liked. Once the film ended, I just wanted more from these characters and felt hopeful for their futures.

Although “Jojo Rabbit” has some uncomfortable aspects, it is still an enjoyable film. The excellent writing and the superb acting stand out from a film that deals with a sensitive topic not too many filmmakers would like to touch. “Jojo Rabbit” is certainly a top contender for the upcoming awards season and its writing and acting are certainly the reasons for that.

3.5/4