Film Review: Jojo Rabbit


I saw this film last week and I am still thinking about it. A good film should keep you wondering about the subject matter and this was a great film.

Taika Waititi has done this before, made the child the protagonist in his films and explored on a deep level the experiences that can make us stumble as adults and somehow make us laugh at the same time.

In this film, the protagonist is a ten year old in Nazi Germany. Like others, he has become deeply committed to the third reich and his imaginary friend is Hitler himself (portrayed here too by Mr Waititi - the Hitler imagined by a ten year old is a new one) but finds himself questioning the ideals pressed on him when he discovers a young Jewish girl hiding in his attic.

Mr Waititi, pulling off the ultimate double hat trick as director, writer and actor. He strikes the rare and perfect balance at finding the farce in the lunacy of the Nazi regime and the heartbreak of the realities of what war does, to the community and to people. As well as showing real many faceted characters in war time - people can be bad and good.

If you are going to see a film, see this one. Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant and Archie Yates have all proven their worth and helped bring this great film to life, under the watchful gaze of a master of his craft.

This film deserves all the nominations it has and quite a few more besides. Move ofter Tarantino, this one is the best film of the year.

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