Imagine a drama where a young boy growing up in Hitler’s Germany has become obsessed with the führer. Throw into the mix a young Jewish girl who is hiding in his house as well as a potential Oscar nominated performance from Scarlett Johansson and it sounds like you have a surefire awards contender. Jojo Rabbit is so much more than that but depending on your viewpoint, this might not be a good thing. It is also an odd, knockabout comedy that feels like a live action cartoon where everybody has ridiculously silly German accents and the boy’s imaginary friend is a childish version of Hitler himself.

Director Taika Waititi has a very distinctive style which is evident to anyone who has seen What We Do in the Shadows, The Hunt for the Wilderpeople or even Thor: Ragnarok. Jojo Rabbit lacks the accessibility of those movies and it has to be said that the mix between heavy hitting wartime drama and fantastical comedy is not the easiest pill to swallow. Don’t get me wrong, it is hilarious in places and there is nothing quite like this out there. Still, there is a jarring quality to the end result as the comedy doesn’t always sit comfortably with the events on screen.

Waititi’s also stars as 10 year old Jojo’s imaginary Hitler. He is as funny as he has always been but it does feel like the movie could do without that character. This is especially evident at the end when a particular line (you’ll know it when it comes) bluntly wraps things up while blatantly spelling out the film’s message. Roman Griffin Davis is perfect as Jojo and completely sells the fact that a young boy who is part of Hitler Youth will grow up with some frightening notions. Thomasin McKenzie is also excellent as the Jewish girl he reluctantly befriends and their relationship forms the backbone of the film.

Waititi in general has assembled an impressive cast here which also includes Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson and Stephen Merchant. Johansson’s aforementioned performance as the boy’s mother is amazing which further proves after Marriage Story just how versatile she is. Her role is vital to the movie and it helps to ground the chaos that is erupting around her. Like the movie itself, her character has a big heart but is also unpredictable at times. Perhaps what makes Jojo Rabbit so confusing is that you are never sure when the comedy is going to stop and the brutal reality will set in.

How you will feel about Jojo Rabbit depends on how you can handle the contrasting elements throughout. There is a lot to take in but you have to admire a piece of work that is so fearlessly its own beast especially as it does come together effectively in its final moments. Nonetheless, if you have enjoyed Waititi’s other works like I have, there is much to love here. I imagine that like whiskey or coffee, the film’s strange flavour will deepen after a second try. Whether you feel up to it or not is just a matter of taste.

Disclaimer Notice: Any thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely my own. Any images (copyrighted or otherwise) have been used according to Creative Commons and if needed, have been referenced to the best of my knowledge.

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