DVD Review: Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit
(DVD Jojo)

Jojo Rabbit is based on the novel Caging Skies by Christine Leunens, and was one of the finalists for the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards (for films in 2019). It won Taika Waititi the award for Best Adapated Screenplay (he also directed it, and was one of the supporting cast members).

Waititi’s trademark oddball humor and sense of surrealism are in full play, in this film set in the closing days of World War II, in a large German city (probably Nuremburg). Johannes “Jojo” Betzler is a young German boy, being raised by his single mother, Rosie (played by Scarlett Johansson). Jojo is obsessed with German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler, and as the film begins he is preparing to join the Hitler Youth group. Jojo’s obsessions include seeing Hitler as his own imaginary friend (portrayed by director Waititi). When an accident in Hitler Youth training results in Jojo being injured, he then becomes a volunteer propagandist. Frequently stuck at home, Jojo is by himself one day when he investigates noises behind a wall and discovers a young Jewish girl (Elsa, portrayed by Thomasin McKenzie) hiding there, protected by his mother.

The film then explores quirky character relationships as Jojo has to decided whether to report on his own family, and as he grows to know Elsa better, his preconceptions about the Jews are altered. As Allied forces close in on the city in the war’s final days, Jojo is forced to face difficult truths and adjust is world view.

This film was astonishing. The performances, particularly that of youth Roman Griffin Davis as Jojo, Waititi as Hitler, McKenzie as Elsa, and Johansson as Rosie, are excellent. The support cast features quirky performances by Sam Rockwell, Stephen Merchant, Rebel Wilson and more. The production design of the film was tremendous, and Waititi’s direction deserves special notice — many of his directorial choices add to the emotional punch of the film.

Jojo Rabbit may not be for everyone — seeing Adolf Hitler as a comical figure is both amusing and vaguely terrifying. And violence crops up with sudden surprise, which may shock some viewers. But, ultimately, it’s definitely worth watching — one of my favorite films from 2019!

[Special Note: The concept of Adolf Hitler as Jojo’s imaginary friend does NOT appear in the novel! This was something Waititi developed exclusively for his film adaptation. But it is one of the more intriguing and unique elements of this film!]

[Also available: The novel Caging Skies, which this film is adapted from.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official Jojo Rabbit web site ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library – Public Services

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