Jojo Rabbit: Good, but Not Enough

Rating: 6.4/10

Confusingly comfortable with Nazis as protagonists, Jojo Rabbit is an interesting story that should have had more to say.

Highlights: 

• Incredible job by Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo)

• Plenty of funny moments

• Rebel Wilson!

Lowlights: 

• No clear message

• Unrealistic at times (Elsa should have been discovered)

• Can Nazis ever be good?

I'm not totally sure what to think about Jojo Rabbit. The acting was incredible, especially by lead Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo), but it didn't stack up to the standards of creativity and emotional impact I expect from an independent film. Jojo Rabbit seemed to be merely an attempt to tell a unique, funny story when it should have been more. Movies about the Holocaust or Nazis are hard. In my opinion, they need to be approached delicately and with a precise message in mind. Regarding the apparent ease of Jojo Rabbit to present Hitler as a neutral character and introduce Nazis as protagonists, we must wonder if it will ever be appropriate to take the Holocaust anything but seriously. In addition, how are we supposed to feel about the ten-year-old Nazi Jojo? The film is an interesting take on a coming-of-age tale, but the dancing of Nazis between the protagonist and antagonist positions is something I struggle with.

Did you watch the movie? Do you want more? Check out Christine Leunens' Caging Skies! The book that inspired the movie, Caging Skies looks even better than Jojo Rabbit (at least from the Wikipedia description).

Watch the trailer!