Jojo Rabbit

A coming of age film presenting a young Nazi boy slowly getting to know a Jewish girl being hidden in his attic could just be the perfect way to launch 2020.

Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit is a comedy about empathy and friendship that uses its setting and concept to its full effect to show us a moral message about the absurdity of not getting along.

Ostensibly, the film follows the titular Jojo; a ten year old devoted Nazi during the final days of the Reich. Adolf Hitler is his imaginary friend but his Mother is housing a young Jewish girl illegally. Obtaining any more plot information than this prior to watching the film is ill-advised.

It’s as riotously and darkly funny as that scenario suggests featuring what might just be the best “eff off” in cinematic history. There’s an argument to be made, and I’m sure some will make it, that Waititi takes the absurdity too far but he levels it with such heart and compassion that will leave tears in the eyes not just from belly laughs but humility and pathos.

It’d be obtuse to say that this film is almost a comedic Boy In The Striped Pyjamas but, as soon as Jojo finds Elsa in his house, their conversations and slow understanding offers the same touching sentiment.

The cast is littered with stars but Roman Griffin Davis in his first (!) role as Jojo gives a child performance for the ages. He has to anchor the entire film but handles the load superbly. He’s ably supported by that aforementioned cast: Scarlett Johansson is a shining ray of light as Jojo’s Mother, Alfie Allen and Sam Rockwell hilarious as effectively Scout-leaders alongside Rebel Wilson who’s sadly a little underused. Speaking of underused, Stephen Merchant appears in a glorious cameo as a Gestapo officer but you’ll be left wanting more of him.

Taking the limelight away from them all though is Waititi himself as Hitler the imaginary friend. Stealing every scene as he flits between camp, a rather nailed-on shouty impression and pleading man-child.

It’s a heartening, smile-inducing, empathetic and touching film that starts the new decade off on exactly the right foot. Go and see it.

5 stars *****