Jojo Rabbit

Ten Second Review: Simultaneously delightful and heart wrenching, Jojo Rabbit is a film to be both watched and ruminated upon.

I try not to be too excited for films. Sometimes it’s not possible and inevitably there are times that this leads to disappointment. As a long time Star Wars fan, I can’t help but walk into that picture brimming. When the lights dim and the score sounds from a galaxy far far away, that excitement is practically palpable. Sometimes it’s an Attack of the Clones and sometimes it’s a Force Awakens, and you can take that how you will, but I’ll be forever exited to sit in that theater watching. Jojo Rabbit is different. There’s no legacy, no huge context and you’re not expecting big effects driven stories with a pure heart. At most you go in expecting a small budget quirky comedy looking at the murky morals of the fanatical political ideology of Nazi Germany, but despite not knowing exactly what to expect, I was very exited.

Jojo is ten and he’s got to grow up now. He’s joining the ranks of the Hitler Youth and he’s learning fast what it takes to be the best Nazi he can. When he discovers a mortal enemy hiding in his walls he’ll have to be as strong as he can to not fall for her lies and sweet demeanour and stay true to what he’s been taught. But she doesn’t seem that dangerous, so he should be ok.

I’m incredibly happy to say that Jojo Rabbit is a film to be exited about, and it certainly did not disappoint. There is so much to be said about this film! From its art direction and dialogue, to the costume design and soundtrack; it’s a joy to watch. The acting is excellent throughout and the careful positioning of its writing screams the talent of its cast and crew. As going through all this would be drawn out and only serve to over explain a film I implore you to see, I want to focus of the tone and angle of this story as an example of why Taika Watiti is a shining star in film at the moment.

This film, from its outset, is placed from the narrative position of a child. It is as innocent as a film about the Nazi regime could be. It capitalises on the naivety of a child’s mind to highlight not only what’s wrong with that sick moment in the canvas of history, but the dangers of any fanatical political stance. It then uses the inherently creative character of a child to then unpick the extremes of fanaticisms and discuss the pain regimes like these can cause.

Full of the absurdity that is sadly almost exclusively found in children, Watiti uses this innocent protagonist to highlight the potential dangers of a child looking for structure and direction. When your role model is Hitler, and there isn’t a better or safe alternative, a child’s mind will still have questions and when no one’s there to silence those questions, they might just have some thoughts of their own.

Watiti shows us his wide range of abilities in a tight 108mins. From beginning to end the film does as much to teach as it does to entertain. I imagine that the longevity of this film will be found not in its historical analysis but in its wider political commentary. Warm and clever while simultaneously astute and analytical, Watiti directs an intriguing look at third Reich politics from the view of a child, while not limiting himself to criticism of just the Nazi regime or solely right wing politics. Go see this film!