Before we begin, check out my post on Jojo Rabbit on my other blog, Before I Go See It.
Now, on with the show.
I was rather impressed with this movie. This is making it harder to know which to root for at the Oscars.
The film is shot through a child's perspective about how he understood being a Nazi in Germany. Many shots are at a low angle, from Jojo's eye level, to give you a better understanding of the situation. This way, you learn as Jojo does of how terrible war is and not to misjudge people based on terrible stereotypes, especially when it hits close to home.
When Jojo discovered a Jewish girl hiding in his house, not only did it place him in a dangerous predicament, but it changes everything he knows. Elsa toyed with Jojo on the stereotypes that somehow don't apply to her, like why she didn't have horns yet; she explained that they haven't grown in yet. Jojo was understandably angry by how much he's been lied to, but he learned to care for someone that's different and sees them as human. That should hit home more than we care to give it credit for. It rings in truth with the way we treat people of the LGBT community. Fortunately, many of us consider them as allies and as human beings. However, there are many more who consider them an abomination. If a young Nazi boy is willing to accept a Jewish girl, then we are capable of accepting a man wearing a skirt.
I struggle to understand the ending. My guess is that it is Jojo's last attempt to control Elsa. Though Elsa was better than Jojo in every way, he seems confident enough to still have her under his thumb with the threat of being discovered. When the war ends, and she's no longer a criminal, I believe he was trying to be a hero in her eyes, like a knight protecting her through her escape...until it backfires the second she walks out the door and sees American soldiers waving Old Glory through the streets.
Hitler being Jojo's imaginary friend is a little unsettling, but it makes a point in which children will consider political figures as their heroes and their friends, and Hitler is no exception in this case. There is a little Great Dictator humor throughout the film to show how little Hitler cares about the boy and how he is willing to go to great lengths to ensure Jojo is loyal to his country, which includes coming back from the dead after shooting himself in the head.
All in all, it was a splendid film. I hope it will be taught in history classes where children can have some fun while seeing that war is a terrible thing.
I hope you liked this. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment about what you thought or if you want to recommend a movie for me to review. Thank you for reading. I'll return next week with another movie. See you then.
Released On: October 18, 2019
Rating: PG-13
Stars: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Taika Waititi, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, Stephen Merchent, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson
Director: Taika Waititi
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80% Certified Fresh
IMDb Score: 8.0/10
Awards
Golden Globe Awards
Academy Awards
Now, on with the show.
I was rather impressed with this movie. This is making it harder to know which to root for at the Oscars.
The film is shot through a child's perspective about how he understood being a Nazi in Germany. Many shots are at a low angle, from Jojo's eye level, to give you a better understanding of the situation. This way, you learn as Jojo does of how terrible war is and not to misjudge people based on terrible stereotypes, especially when it hits close to home.
When Jojo discovered a Jewish girl hiding in his house, not only did it place him in a dangerous predicament, but it changes everything he knows. Elsa toyed with Jojo on the stereotypes that somehow don't apply to her, like why she didn't have horns yet; she explained that they haven't grown in yet. Jojo was understandably angry by how much he's been lied to, but he learned to care for someone that's different and sees them as human. That should hit home more than we care to give it credit for. It rings in truth with the way we treat people of the LGBT community. Fortunately, many of us consider them as allies and as human beings. However, there are many more who consider them an abomination. If a young Nazi boy is willing to accept a Jewish girl, then we are capable of accepting a man wearing a skirt.
I struggle to understand the ending. My guess is that it is Jojo's last attempt to control Elsa. Though Elsa was better than Jojo in every way, he seems confident enough to still have her under his thumb with the threat of being discovered. When the war ends, and she's no longer a criminal, I believe he was trying to be a hero in her eyes, like a knight protecting her through her escape...until it backfires the second she walks out the door and sees American soldiers waving Old Glory through the streets.
Hitler being Jojo's imaginary friend is a little unsettling, but it makes a point in which children will consider political figures as their heroes and their friends, and Hitler is no exception in this case. There is a little Great Dictator humor throughout the film to show how little Hitler cares about the boy and how he is willing to go to great lengths to ensure Jojo is loyal to his country, which includes coming back from the dead after shooting himself in the head.
All in all, it was a splendid film. I hope it will be taught in history classes where children can have some fun while seeing that war is a terrible thing.
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I hope you liked this. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment about what you thought or if you want to recommend a movie for me to review. Thank you for reading. I'll return next week with another movie. See you then.
Released On: October 18, 2019
Rating: PG-13
Stars: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Taika Waititi, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, Stephen Merchent, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson
Director: Taika Waititi
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80% Certified Fresh
IMDb Score: 8.0/10
Awards
Golden Globe Awards
- Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy - Nominated
- Best Actor Motion Pitcture Musical or Comedy Roman Griffin Davis - Nominated
Academy Awards
- Best Picture - Nominated
- Best Supporting Actress Scarlett Johansson - Nominated
- Best Adapted Screenplay Taika Waititi - Winner
- Best Production Design Ra Vincent & Nora Sopkovรก - Nominated
- Best Costume Design Mayes C. Dubeo - Nominated
- Best Film Editing Tom Eagles - Nominated
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