Movie Review: Jojo Rabbit

The new film Jojo Rabbit, the latest hit from
New Zealand director Taika Waititi, starring
Scarlett Johanson and Roman Griffin Davis, is
a comedic coming-of-age movie that touches
on larger themes and issues. This “anti-hate
satire” follows a young, impressionable
boy, Jojo Betzler, played by Davis, in Nazi
Germany. Jojo’s imaginary friend, Adolf
Hitler, played by Waititi, represents Jojo’s
blind nationalism and devotion to the Nazi
party, a relationship that changes throughout
the film.
Jojo learns that his mother, Rosie Betzler
(Johanson), is hiding a Jewish girl in their
walls. He becomes conflicted between what
he has always been taught and conditioned to
believe, and what he actually experiences and
observes, as the war surrounds and impacts
him.
This comedy has a greater depth of emotion
than expected, as it does confront the realities
of the brutality of war, loss and anti-Semitism,
albeit through a comedic lens. It juxtaposes
the radicalization and polarization of our
world today with how the Nazis effectively
brainwashed and radicalized the German youth
into blind sheep.
The gradual growth of Jojo’s character to
question what he’s been told his whole life
offers an unexpected heartfelt warmth in the
film. The brightly colored and lit sets, jokes
and hilarious, outstanding performances all
contribute to the light mood despite it’s serious
themes.
Waititi has made a mark with his use
of absurdist humor and heartfelt emotion,
previously directing films such as the horror
comedy mockumentary What We Do in the
Dark, the hit blockbuster Thor: Ragnarok and
the coming of age comedy Boy.
Jojo Rabbit is no exception, taking the
audience on an emotional roller coaster, one
minute laughing, the next angry, grieving or
sad. None of the jokes are particularly heavy
hitting, but performances by Rebel Wilson and
Archie Yates, who play Fraulein Rahm and
Yorkie, respectively, maintain a lighter mood of
the film, which makes addressing such serious
topics more digestible and entertaining to the
audience.
In regards to playing Hitler, “There was
double the guilt going on” said Waititi in an
appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor
Noah, about playing Hitler while Jewish.
Waititi, who is half Maori and half Jewish, went
on to say that “it was an embarrassment.”
Yet, Waititi ultimately stands by his decision
to play Hitler, tweeting, “What better way to
insult Hitler than having him portrayed by a
Polynesian Jew?” and in a different interview
saying, “What better ‘f*** you’ to that guy?!”
Some have taken to criticize the movie
because Nazi jokes are overused and tired, with
a lack of potential left in them. However, Waititi
finds unique angles and perspectives, combined
with dynamic and powerful performances, to
allow the film to address the serious issues it
presents while still serving as an amusing and
entertaining comedy.