Must Watch Alert! Jojo Rabbit Will Hop its Way Into Your Hearts!

It seems like the New Zealand fllmmaker Taika Watiti has launched off on a mission to become the next big director in the world of cinema by delivering back to back brilliant films like What We Do in the Shadows (2014), Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and now Jojo Rabbit. With his unique direction, he makes something memorable and stunning out of any given concept. Same is the case with Jojo Rabbit which makes up for one of the most impactful and moving films this year.

(Image: © Fox Searchlight Pictures)

 

The director takes a satirical approach towards a very dark and crucial subject of Nazism which swallowed the entire world and led to the greatest and the most catastrophic war in the history of mankind. Jojo portrayed by Roman Griffin Davis (Let’s call him RGD from now on) is a blind nationalist who is eager to grow up and join Hilter’s personal bodyguard so as to be friends with him. One of the most important element of the film is Jojo’s lonliness. Although he lives with his mother and has a casual friend named Yorki, his greatest ally is his imaginary friend Adolf Hitler played by Taika Watiti himself. Jojo’s life changes when he realizes his mother is hiding a Jewish girl as now he gets caught between the very concept of right and wrong.

(Image: © Fox Searchlight Pictures)

 

One of the best things about this film is that it doesn’t try to be something it isn’t and stays true to its genre, that is, comedy/drama. Though it has certain elements of war dramas and thrillers, it never looses the innocence and humor of comedy dramas. The first half is pretty light-hearted with many hilarious and cute moments but the third act of the film is quite intense and devastating. It isn’t your Disney Pixar movie where things get intense but in the end everything turns out to be alright as you are in for some genuinely shocking and dark moments.

Budding Stars RGD and Thomasin McKensie (Image: © Fox Searchlight Pictures)

 

Much of the film is carried by RGD and Thomasin McKenzie and both of them have done a tremendous job. While we’ve seen McKenzie deliver equally good performances before, it was the first time out for 12 years old RGD but hats off man. He may have missed on the Golden Globe this year but he is a natural actor with range of emotions for display and definitely has a very bright future.

Scarlett Johansson as Jojo’s mother is another highlight of this film as she has delivered one of her career best performances which makes it two in 2019 (The other one being Marriage Story). Sam Rockwell was also in for a very powerful role therefore much of the burden of making this film hilarious fell on the shoulders of director Taika Waititi himself with his comical version of Adolf Hitler and he did a great job, no doubt, especially with his accent.

Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell (Image: © Fox Searchlight Pictures)

 

Based on the book Caging Skies by Christine Leunens, Jojo Rabbit explores the concepts of love and hatred; freedom and oppression; fanaticism and morality with the help of a smart script and intelligent dialogues. The film has a brilliant visual appeal as well with excellent production design, brilliant costumes and flawless editing. The battle sequence towards the end, especially, is visually stunning and conveys very strong emotions to the viewers.

(Image: © Fox Searchlight Pictures)

 

Jojo Rabbit is one of a kind film which will make you laugh out loud as well as break your heart into million pieces within the run-time of 1 hour and 48 minutes. With a unique direction, powerful performances and a massive visual appeal, Jojo Rabbit is worth every penny you spend. Having said that, I’d recommend to watch this film on the biggest screen possible as it will strike each and every string of your heart and leave you wanting for more!