A few days ago I watched the DVD of what I now consider to be the best movie of last year: Jojo Rabbit (PG-13, available on DVD, rent on Amazon Prime for 5.99, on Aug. 1 will be on HBO).
Favorite Young Man saw Jojo Rabbit in a theater right after it came out and he loved it. Said it was hilarious.
FYM and I usually like the same movies, so although the premise of the film sounded nuts, I watched it, hoping for a good laugh and wondering if it was worthy of its nomination for The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture of the Year. Scarlett Johansson, who plays Jojo's mother Rosie, was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Jojo Rabbit is indeed worthy of its many nominations and awards. I laughed, but Jojo also has some poignant moments.
Young Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) carries on in Germany with his mom during World War II. Jojo is excited to join the Hitler Youth. Jojo is also a sensitive little boy who is often frightened. He relies on his imaginary friend––Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi, who also directed)––to advise him and share his adventures.
But Jojo comes upon a piece of information and doesn't know what to do about it. His mother is hiding a Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their house. Will Jojo share the secret of the girl in the attic with the Hitler Youth or its idiot leader, Captain Klenzendorf (Sam Rockwell)?
I'm concerned that some of you will say I could never watch a movie with Adolf Hitler as a funny character. You have to keep in mind that this movie is a satire. It has plot points that are relevant in our current political climate.
I hope you'll give Jojo Rabbit a chance.
Adolf Hitler to Jojo: Sure, you're a little bit scrawny and a bit unpopular and you can't tie your shoelaces even though you're ten years old. But you're still the bestest, most loyal little Nazi I've ever met. Not to mention the fact you're really good-looking.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
I'm curious about the character Hitler in this film ..., it sounds interesting to watch.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your recommendation.
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DeleteHi Janie - I've known about the movie ... but not seen it - one day perhaps ... take care - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Hilary. You are a faithful reader.
DeleteI DO want to see this. Thanks for the reminder. I’m sorry to say I skipped the “guts” of the post. I like films and books to be a complete surprise to me (to an extreme). So I don’t read anything but the most basic info. But truly, thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I know how you feel, and I'm careful not to give away spoilers.
DeleteWe enjoyed it too -- all the characters and characterizations are excellent. Sam Rockwell outdid himself as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with Sam Rockwell.
DeleteI just rented this last week and absolutely loved it! I thought it was more poignant...not hysterically funny. Oddly quite sweet actually. Could imagine this realistically coming from the mind of a young boy at that time and place. The boy was fantastic...all the children were. Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell were fabulous, too. Was not what I expected at all. Loved the transformation.
ReplyDeleteIt is unusual and very sweet. I'm glad you liked it. Certain points made me laugh and some almost had me in tears.
DeleteYes--seeing his mother's shoes--I cried.
ReplyDeleteI didn't cry but I thought about it.
DeleteSwede cry. Had to wipe my eyes a couple times. ;)
DeleteI'll give it a try! While I agree that it's hard to imagine Hilter in a humorous POV, I'll try to get rid of the bias.
ReplyDeleteI hope you end up liking it. In the end . . . well, I can't tell you that. I'll provide you with one word: repudiate.
DeleteAfter reading your review, I will when it comes to HBO. I saw trailers of it and the kid seemed to be really funny and do a good job.
ReplyDeleteAll of the actors are outstanding. Sometimes when I'm not sure about a movie, I wait to watch it when it gets to Netflix or Amazon or HBO or whatever.
DeleteThis one movie I would like to see
ReplyDeleteI know you're not much of a movie watcher so I hope you get a chance to see it.
DeleteWe watched it and thought it was both funny and thought provoking. I would recommend it but will make sure to stress that it is satirical.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is satire.
DeleteIt sounds interesting but I think I'd find it hard to watch a film that features Hitler as a "funny' character.
ReplyDeleteYou might like what happens to his character at the end.
DeleteThis is an excellent film and I was very much surprised by the sensitivity the sir chorus, write and star showed in this film. When the young boy sees the shoes hanging there...you just want to hug him, knowing my mom was part of the resistance made me feel even more. The Hitler character goes from funny to menacing as the young boy starts to question his beliefs and you love that ending.
ReplyDeleteYes! I love the end.
DeleteThank you. Hope you're having a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteLike all your takes on things, *this is different* Brava for getting off the beaten path
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying your Sunday.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't seen it, though we do like the director, Taika Waititi. That guy's a mad genius!
ReplyDeleteHi, Janie! Thanks for the review. I'm definitely interested in seeing this movie. I knew someone who was in the Hitler Youth program. She said once that it was the most exciting thing that ever happened to her. And this was long after she had built a post war life in Canada. I found that shocking. Take care!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation. I'd heard this title and had no idea what it was about. Sounds like an interesting and funny watch.
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