It was on last December that I came across the trailer of Jojo Rabbit (2019). I was even more motivated to see the film after finding that it had won an Academy Award for Best Writing in 2020. In the same year, the film got five other Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.
Directed and written by Taika Waititi, Jojo Rabbit narrates the story of World War II from the perspective of a 10-year-old boy, Johannes Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis). Taika Waititi makes one significant alteration to the screenplay based on Christine Leunens’ novel “Caging Skies.” He introduces a new character, an imaginary friend for young Jojo. What if I say that this friend is none other than the dictator Adolf Hitler!
The story is set during World War II. Jojo’s life goal is to receive military training at Hitler’s Youth Camp so that he can one day become a fully-trained Nazi soldier. He is a sweet young boy, but his mind has already been poisoned by ideas of Hitler, his only hero.
Innocent children were being prepared during this time for the upcoming battle, and this has entirely destroyed their childhood.
Captain Klenzendorf (Sam Rockwell) is in charge of the camp where Jojo joins. He was given the nickname “Jojo Rabbit” as he failed to kill a rabbit as part of his training.
Jojo’s father is fighting in the war, he has no one to help him achieve his ambition. As a result, he sought the help of Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi) as an imagined friend.
Nothing could stop him from becoming what he always wanted; to become a Nazi soldier. Unfortunately, during the training, Jojo sustains a serious injury, which causes him enormous disappointment. This nearly puts an end to his dream of becoming a soldier.
Jojo, like any other Nazi, hated Jews. But when he learns that his mother, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson), is hiding a Jewish teen, Elsa (Thomazin McKensie), in the attic, his attitude against Jews change. Elsa reminds Rosie of her deceased eldest daughter and perhaps that is why she wanted to keep her safe.
Jojo eventually develops an interest in knowing more on Elsa’s story (especially about Jews). He decides not to reveal her name to the Nazi officials since he is afraid of his mother being murdered.
Gradually, Jojo builds a beautiful friendship and no more sees Elsa as his enemy. Each encounter between the two made me realise how challenging life would have been for Jews during War.
The satirical scene portrayed in the film are extremely hilarious yet thought -provoking too. Though the film began with a happy mood, it eventually becomes a realistic picture on the cost of war.
Unlike other war films, Jojo Rabbit never shows the ongoing conflict, making the film enjoyable to watch by everyone. The Nazi regime is not as such depicted in the film. One might find Adolf Hitler’s portrayal bizarre because of what he did to humanity during World War II. The director, however, strikes a good balance between the seriousness of the battle, satire, and humour. The film thus enthuses the audience with its outstanding cast and that is what makes this film a special one.
Image Source Official Facebook page of Jojo Rabbit
