Directed by:
Taika WaititiScreenplay:
Taika WaititiCinematography:
Mihai Malaimare Jr.Composer:
Michael GiacchinoCast:
Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, Stephen Merchant, Archie Yates (more)VOD (3)
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A World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, Jojo must confront his blind nationalism. (Fox Searchlight Pictures US)
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Reviews (16)
The idea is original, where both the little clumsy Nazi and the heroic Nazi commander find a place in the viewer’s heart. The surprisingly playful atmosphere portrays the last days of the thousand-year Reich and also showcases the unusual characters, where the quirky, spirited and very sweet mother played by Scarlett Johansson stands out in front. I still felt such a cozy closeness from the movie, until I found out it was set in the Czech Republic (my home country).
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I was looking forward to Jojo Rabbit for a long time, especially since it’s made by a director whose every film in recent years I totally loved and I only wish him happiness. Moreover, he chose the Czech Republic as the filming location, and the resulting film was nominated with an Academy Award for the best feature film. I understand that the competition is tough so Jojo Rabbit will probably not win, but it’s still a nice promotion for our little country. A war satire is a very visible topic, and when it’s well-made it’s hard to forget. And Taika Waititi did a great job, even though I expected a bit more humor. In places I didn’t know whether it was satire or fantasies of the main character Jojo, perfectly portrayed by Roman Griffin Davis. Taika Waititi is very good in guiding actors in general. And him guiding himself as Hitler is the funniest part of the whole film. In the second half, however, you’ll meet with more serious scenes, which show that even though Jojo perceives the fascists the way he does, it is still war and it’s not exactly fun. A well-done satire, but it’d be even better with more humor. It still has one unique feature, though – the most likable Nazi everplayed by Sam Rockwell. I haven’t seen such a well-written character in a while.
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I appreciate some of the scenes filled with funny gags (all with Sam Rockwell and Stephen Merchant), but the story as a whole left me cold. Taika Waititi has style and a lot of humour, but on a dramatic level, he hasn’t convinced me so far. On the other hand, to write a role for Rebel Wilson in a way that her unbearableness benefits the story and adds humour to the movie requires some mastery. One final note: although I can listen to "Heroes" by David Bowie anytime and anywhere, using this song for key scenes of any film after the relatively recent movies The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Horns seems totally cliché to me.
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Taika Waititi has made his best film and his style is very close to Tarantino's. A very original war satire with a strong story, tasteful humour, engaging dialogue, great performances (Scarlett Johansson deserves an Oscar, but I also like Sam Rockwell, Taika Waititi as Hitler and the small and clever Roman Griffin Davis). The biggest highlights are the training of the young Nazis, the visit to the Gestapo and the finale. The film manages to surprise several times, keeps a decent pace and the humour is occasionally replaced by a cold shower. 8/10.
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Taika Waititi is a filmmaker worth keeping an eye on - assuming you appreciate his somewhat disrespectful humor based on ironic exaggeration and unique type of poetry. His talent and limitations are clearly evident in Jojo Rabbit. The director chooses actors excellently and is able to bring out the maximum from them, especially the child actors, including Roman Griffin Davis. He has a developed sense of exaggeration, absurdity, and situational comedy. The humorous part of the film works much better than the part that aims to move and elicit catharsis. Kachyňa was able to sell tragedy and laughter within one style, while Waititi's transitions between frivolity and seriousness in storytelling seem rushed and sometimes even disruptive. The director is not afraid to use anachronistic musical motifs, allowing you to watch his characters in the midst of World War II accompanied by The Beatles or Bowie. Sam Rockwell is one of the most likable characters who has ever worn a Wehrmacht uniform, and you will likely love his casual captain who traded the front line for a gang of children in Hitler Youth uniforms. The success of Jojo Rabbit lies in its entertainment value, pace, and humor. Nevertheless, international audiences will especially appreciate its ability to deliver clearly articulated moral messages in a pleasant manner. It is typical Hollywood fare, and much tamer and less controversial than Taika Waititi would like. You have probably seen a similar story in slightly different packaging before. Personally, Waititi's portrayal of Hitler did not resonate with me. In my opinion, it was too childish and harmless. However, despite my aforementioned remark, it does not affect my overall impression of 75%. It is a crowd-pleasing film that also appeals to family audiences. It does not require deep historical knowledge from you, and honestly, it is better not to scrutinize Waititi's storytelling style too much, as you may find flaws within it.
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