Jojo Rabbit Review by Sputnik

Jojo is a lonely German boy who discovers that his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his imaginary friend — Adolf Hitler — Jojo must confront his blind nationalism as World War II continues to rage on.

Some scenes are really good like the scene where Jojo throws a grenade or the scene where Jojo discovers Elsa hiding upstairs in his home or the scenes where Jojo asks Elsa to reveal “Jew secrets” for his book or the scenes where he forges letters from Nathan or the sad scene where he finds his mother hanged in the town square or the scene where Captain Klenzendorf calls Jojo and jew and spits on him. The best scene of the movie is the scene where the Gestapo show up at Jojo’s house.

Roman Griffin Davis is excellent as Jojo Rabbit. Scarlett Johansson is good as Rosie, Jojo’s mother but don’t think she deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Thomasin McKenzie is excellent as Elsa, a Jewish girl hiding in Rosie’s house. She should have instead been nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Taika Waititi is good as Adolf Hitler, Jojo’s imaginary friend version of the infamous figure. Sam Rockwell is excellent as Captain Klenzendorf, an army officer who runs a Hitler Youth camp. Rebel Wilson is very good as Fräulein Rahm, a brutish instructor in the Hitler Youth camp. Archie Yates is very good as Yorki, Jojo’s best friend. The rest of the cast is good too.

Jojo Rabbit has been nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Film Editing.

Taika Waititi’s screenplay and direction is very good. Its not easy to make a satire where antisemitic jokes/stereotypes are used and Adolf Hitler is portrayed as someone’s imaginary friend. The movie actually mocks the Nazis while appearing to mock the Jews. Jojo Rabbit reminds one of Life is Beautiful. Jojo Rabbit is a feel good comedy even while the underlying subject is dark.

Highly Recommended