Jojo Rabbit * * * *
Although Takiki Waititi now works in Hollywood and can get the big bucks, he also seems to like to do his own thing, which is good, because that's when he makes his best films like Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Jojo Rabbit is his latest independent film.
Again it is based in the country but this time it's not in Waititi's New Zealand, but in a town in rural Germany in the latter year of the Second World War.
I am sure it would have been horrendous to be pretty well anywhere in Europe at that time, but it doesn't look too bad in this small town. In fact the whole situation is as unrealistic and fantastic as the imagination of a ten year old boy, which makes sense because that's where a lot of the scenes are set.
Jojo is an enthusiastic member of the Hitler Youth. The division is run by Captain Klezendorf, a burnt out old cynic hilariously played by Sam Rockwell. His assistant is Freuline Rahm- Rebel Wilson at her usual best.
Even though he is a pretty hopeless Hitler Youth Member, to Jojo Nazi's are good, the war is good, anti-semetic propaganda makes sense,and Hitler is just plain wonderful. In fact Hitler is his imaginary playmate and appears in many scenes. Jojo actually does have another friend of his own age and the discussion between them about what Jews are is hilarious but also a frightening insight into how a young mind can be perverted.
What Jojo doesn't know is that his Mum (Scarlett Johanssen) is not so impressed with the second world world war, with it's absent husbands and rations and revolting degradation of humanity. One day Jojo discovers that his Mum has a young Jewish girl hidden in the attic, which to Jojo is rather like discovering there really is a monster in the attic. Jojo knows that to report her would mean his mother would be arrested and charged, so he says nothing. But he frequently visits and gets to know the "monster" - and consequently comes to realise there are a few monsters living inside of himself.
Jojo Rabbit is a brilliant creation. It's a film full of poignancy sadness and brilliant humour. I'ts also immensely intelligent and sensitive to it's subject matter.
Jojo Rabbit is his latest independent film.
Again it is based in the country but this time it's not in Waititi's New Zealand, but in a town in rural Germany in the latter year of the Second World War.
 |
| Jojo and his best friend have a chat. |
Jojo is an enthusiastic member of the Hitler Youth. The division is run by Captain Klezendorf, a burnt out old cynic hilariously played by Sam Rockwell. His assistant is Freuline Rahm- Rebel Wilson at her usual best.
Even though he is a pretty hopeless Hitler Youth Member, to Jojo Nazi's are good, the war is good, anti-semetic propaganda makes sense,and Hitler is just plain wonderful. In fact Hitler is his imaginary playmate and appears in many scenes. Jojo actually does have another friend of his own age and the discussion between them about what Jews are is hilarious but also a frightening insight into how a young mind can be perverted.
What Jojo doesn't know is that his Mum (Scarlett Johanssen) is not so impressed with the second world world war, with it's absent husbands and rations and revolting degradation of humanity. One day Jojo discovers that his Mum has a young Jewish girl hidden in the attic, which to Jojo is rather like discovering there really is a monster in the attic. Jojo knows that to report her would mean his mother would be arrested and charged, so he says nothing. But he frequently visits and gets to know the "monster" - and consequently comes to realise there are a few monsters living inside of himself.
Jojo Rabbit is a brilliant creation. It's a film full of poignancy sadness and brilliant humour. I'ts also immensely intelligent and sensitive to it's subject matter.
Comments
Post a Comment