JoJo Rabbit

JoJo Rabbit (2019)

You know when a film makes a real impact on you? This is one for me. I was in a cinema with people laughing out loud - myself included at times. But frankly I was a sobbing mess. I’m talking hot tears cascading down my face. And not necessarily at the obvious bits. Just the overall hopelessness of what us stupid humans do to each other.

We follow JoJo, an enthusiastic 10 year old injured during his Hitler Youth training. He chats to an imaginary Adolf played nicely by the writer/director (and friend of Thor) Taika Waititi, and aided in his recovery by his secretive mother. His radical views are challenged when he discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his attic.

The themes of the film don’t need explaining but it’s told in a humorous and flippant way which acts as both a nice way to look at the events from the eyes of a child and also highlights how preposterous war is.

Kids on film often aggravate me, but Roman Griffin Davis is excellent. As is his friend who provides genuine belly laughs. Scarlett Johansson is charming. And good for her for snatching two nominations after twenty years of being largely ignored. I just wish it wasn’t at the expense of the brilliant Jennifer Lopez (if you haven’t seen Hustlers watch it on a Friday night).

But proving how you must take those nominations with a pinch of salt, the highlight for me was Sam Rockwell. Nominated last year for his forgettable cameo in Vice and of course neglected this year for this far far superior stint.

Daft.

Go and watch this fun, funny film about Nazis. What a sentence. And while you’re at it give your parents a kiss. Dance. And thank your lucky stars you don’t have to hide in a wall space.

A tad predictable but gripping nonetheless. Watch this on a Sunday night with a bottle of red and really expunge those demons.

10 Bonkers Thumbs Up!