Jojo Rabbit
{5/5} “Our only friends are the Japanese. And just between you and me, they don’t look very Aryan.”
Jojo Rabbit, released in 2019
Jojo is very enthusiastic about being a member of Hitler’s youth. When he’s at a camp for the weekend, though, they ask him to kill a rabbit and he can’t. Then in a bout of regrettable enthusiasm he accidentally blows up a grenade near his face. Jojo has an invisible friend, Adolf Hitler. Back at home he discovers a hidden door — and behind it is, unbelievably, a Jewish girl.
If you think a movie about World War II is allowed to be serious and funny, like Life is Beautiful, then you’ll like it. In fact, you’ll love it — because it’s brilliant.
It’s about the terribleness of war, and the joyousness of friendship. It’s about the ridiculousness of Nazis, and the reasonableness of the resistance.
Young actors Roman Griffin Davis and Thomasin McKenzie do a terrific job.
Stars Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi, and Sam Rockwell. Directed by Taika Waititi (Hunt for the Wilderpeople). The soundtrack contains some German versions of popular songs.
August 15th, 2020 at 11:16 am
“During wars, grown ups act like lunatics.” — Taika Waititi
August 28th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
I watched this again — it’s stunning.