Review of Jojo Rabbit (2019) by Zedzed — 08 Dec 2019

My 17 and 12 year old boys were very interested in seeing this movie. I think it is fair to say that it was NOT what they were expecting. This is likely one of the reasons for some of the negative reviews.

This movie is ambitious. It draws you in with what you expect to be fully satirical slap-stickish humor and then rudely wakes you up to the realities of war, prejudice, and fanaticism. The movie triggered the full spectrum of emotions from goofy happiness, to anger, to love of many forms, to shock, sadness, anxiety, and finally uncertain joy.

The success of the movie, and its innocent goofiness, comes from the fact that it is ENTIRELY presented from the perspective of a 10 year old boy. A boy forced to deal with the horrors and glamour of war at the same time that he is dealing with the normal hardships of growing up, like any of us.

While we can relate to some of his experiences, the backdrop of his reality amplifies the circumstances and consequences of his actions and experiences. The story telling, though at times imperfect, is ultimately successful because of the amazing performances of the cast and the honesty and value of the message being conveyed.

The boys did not get the movie they were expecting but instead were treated to a film which challenged their beliefs, expanded their thinking a bit, an triggered great conversations. They loved it.