Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Marketed as “anti-hate satire,” Jojo Rabbit takes you on a surreal journey to deliver its simple message: Hate is bad. Director, Taika Waititi’s film does it with a blend of some hard-hitting drama and whimsy. You are either going to love it or… hate it.
Jojo (Roman Griffen Davis) is a ten-year-old German boy living in Berlin during the final stages of World War II. Jojo’s elder sister recently passed away and his father is currently at the Italian Front, which leaves him alone with his mother, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson). Left to his own devices for most of the day, Jojo becomes infatuated with the Nazi party and creates an imaginary friend, his ideal image of Adolf Hitler (played by Waititi himself). Jojo’s Hitler is childish and supportive, but also demands loyalty to himself and the Nazi Party.
When left alone at home one day, Jojo discovers Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie), a teenage Jewish girl hiding within the walls of his sister’s former bedroom. Jojo threatens to turn her over to the Gestapo, but Elsa points out how his mother would be killed for hiding her. This “Mexican stalemate” challenges everything Jojo has grown to believe as true, and his loyalty to his friend, Adolf.
Jojo Rabbit’s use of humor reminded me of the sitcoms I watched growing up like All In The Family, Sanford & Son, and The Jeffersons. Those programs used comedy as a tool for commentary on all sorts of social issues, as well as a weapon against the societal divides among races. And like those sitcoms, Jojo Rabbit’s satire is aimed directly at the absurd behavior of those who live to hate.
Sure, Archie Bunker was never motivated by malice, so he is way easier to laugh at than Hitler. But as Jojo Rabbit takes on racism and bigotry at one of the ugliest times in recent history, it never disrespects the horrendous consequences of blindly following that ideology. Some of the film’s most powerful moments are when it takes a pause from the satire to give weight to the life that was lost at the cost of Nazi propaganda.
You might find the way Jojo Rabbit forcefully shifts between comedy and drama difficult to stick with or have a tough time laughing at Nazis. But those who are able to hang on are going to love the ride.
It is #MarsApproved.
This one is at the very top of my ‘to-see’ list – pleased to read it gets the approval!
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Time to start on the 1001 Movie list!
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I’m with Geoff. Really want to see this one.
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Let me know what you thought of it when you do!
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Same here – right at the top of my list and I’m regretting choosing to see Star Wars over this the other week. I’m a dafty.
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Oof! I would regret that too!
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I can see where I’m going to get my current film nudges.
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Don’t typecast me just yet! I have a bunch of write ups done for older films already. I’ve just been doing the rounds for Oscars nominations lately.
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I’d like to see the older ones. I just don’t get the real dope on new films. Who do you trust with reviews? The Oscar stuff scares me. I’m sure there are some good films in that bunch.
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I don’t know if there is anyone I can trust. I mostly go by word of mouth. I do watch Red Letter Media on YouTube so I sort of know their taste and I’m able to judge if it will be something I would like. They mostly cover the big geek movies though. There are definitely a few Oscar nom films from this year that are a waste of time, but I find they are good at giving attention to some films that I’m happy to have found.
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I mostly go for interesting looking films, directors and actors I like and just a feel sometimes. Also some reviews that people catch something that grabs me.
The whole media machine leaves me cold. I was burnt by it years ago and I don’t think it’s changed.
Like music I find some real good films under the radar. Bottom line I just like to see good ones. My batting average is pretty good. I’ll keep tuning in to see what ya got.
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Oh yeah, I guess I do that too. My PVR lets me check what films are coming up by cast, so I always look for Burt Reynolds, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Mitchum, Matheau, Jack Lemon, etc. I wish it would let me search by director because then I’d be able to throw a Billy Wilder search in there. Of course, after reading your blog for a while I see we have similar tastes, so your recommendations are high on my list.
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Thanks Mars. Yeah for me it’s just finding those good ones . It takes a little digging and an open mind sometimes. My fave Wilder is ‘Sunset Blvd’
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Next to Ghostbusters, Sunset Blvd is my favorite movie, lol.
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Great review for a film that I really enjoyed. It’s such an audacious effort, and the tonal shift worked surprisingly well.
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I feel the same way. The person watching it beside me didn’t agree, so I can understand how it might be a little too much for some.
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Excellent comparison to the Norman Lear stuff. I hadn’t considered that (yet). I was thinking Monty Python meets Wes Anderson.
Might be favourite film of the year
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I would not have been disappointed if it won Best Picture. Have you seen Parasite yet? It’s up there too.
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