by Pa Rock
Film Fan
Making fun of Nazis is something that really hasn't caught on in the mainstream film industry. One notable exception, of course, was the 1967 Mel Brooks' film, "The Producers" with its play within a play entitled "Springtime for Hitler" - and the subsequent stage productions of essentially the same material with the same title. "The Producers" hit the big screen just a scant twenty-two years after the end of World War II, and was undoubtedly more than a bit daring for the time.
Last night I had the opportunity to watch another film that pokes fun at the Nazis and, in particular, Adolf Hitler. "Jojo Rabbit" is the story of a ten-year-old boy in Nazi Germany during the closing months of World War II. Jojo attends Hitler Youth meetings and activities in what appears to be a convenience for his working mother so that she will not have to pay a babysitter. Jojo received his nickname from some of the adult Nazis who were running the Hitler Youth chapter after he refused to kill a rabbit and ran off to hide in shame.
Jojo is no ordinary little boy, however, and he has a most unusual imaginary friend: Adolf Hitler. The imaginary Hitler is quick to offer Jojo advice on just about anything, and he makes himself at home in the house that Jojo shares with his mother, Rosie. Herr Hitler, who cannot be seen by anyone other than Jojo, also accompanies the boy to the Hitler Youth meetings. Jojo's father is supposedly in the German army fighting at the front, but some of the adults - and some of the kids - in the Hitler Youth - believe he is a deserter because he hasn't been heard from in a couple of years.
But it is Jojo's mother, Rosie, who is the interesting parent. She is secretly a member of the resistance who passes out fliers, and, as Jojo discovers to his horror, Rosie has also hidden a Jewish girl behind a wall in a secret chamber in their home. Jojo becomes a friend of Elsa, the Jewish girl who is a few years older than himself, and he decides to interview her and write a book about Jews based primarily on all of the "facts' he has learned at his Hitler Youth meetings. Their question-and-answer sessions do much to illuminate the Nazi propaganda regarding Jews. The book, which he titles "Yoohoo, Jew," is illustrated by Jojo and slowly becomes an encyclopedia of German propaganda about the Jews.
The storyline revolves around the war coming to an end and how that is changing everyone's lives. The movie has some singing, lots of funny bits, but also is shaded by the serious pall of war. It is mostly comedic, but the story will leave viewers contemplating the awfulness of the Second World War.
The title role of Jojo was played by an amazing eleven-year-old citizen of England and France named Roman Griffin Davis. It was his first role in a movie, and he gave a performance that has already garnered a couple of major award nominations. Young Roman, along with all of the other players in the movie, spoke English with sharp German accents - and gave a strong impression of being actual Germans who were learning to exercise their English skills.
A fellow named Taika Waititi wrote and directed this extraordinary film, and he also played Jojo's imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler. By every measure he was the master of the material and developed it into something very unique and special.
Two other actors of note in "Jojo Rabbit" were Scarlett Johansson who played Jojo's mother, Rosie the resister, and Sam Rockwell was was Captain Klenzendorf, the leader of the local Hitler Youth chapter. Johansson and Rockwell each made their quirky characters believable and memorable.
I've already used most of my favorite superlatives in describing "Jojo Rabbit" and some of the people who brought it to the screen, so I will drop back to something a bit more constrained. "Jojo Rabbit" is one helluva good movie - one that most people will enjoy seeing. The only people who might do well to skip it are those who would be offended by a movie that mocks Hitler. Its backhanded condemnation of the untrue things Nazis were saying about Jews was particularly brilliant. The film serves to remind us that hate is often rooted in lies.
"Jojo Rabbit" does not disappoint. Catch it if you can!
Film Fan
Making fun of Nazis is something that really hasn't caught on in the mainstream film industry. One notable exception, of course, was the 1967 Mel Brooks' film, "The Producers" with its play within a play entitled "Springtime for Hitler" - and the subsequent stage productions of essentially the same material with the same title. "The Producers" hit the big screen just a scant twenty-two years after the end of World War II, and was undoubtedly more than a bit daring for the time.
Last night I had the opportunity to watch another film that pokes fun at the Nazis and, in particular, Adolf Hitler. "Jojo Rabbit" is the story of a ten-year-old boy in Nazi Germany during the closing months of World War II. Jojo attends Hitler Youth meetings and activities in what appears to be a convenience for his working mother so that she will not have to pay a babysitter. Jojo received his nickname from some of the adult Nazis who were running the Hitler Youth chapter after he refused to kill a rabbit and ran off to hide in shame.
Jojo is no ordinary little boy, however, and he has a most unusual imaginary friend: Adolf Hitler. The imaginary Hitler is quick to offer Jojo advice on just about anything, and he makes himself at home in the house that Jojo shares with his mother, Rosie. Herr Hitler, who cannot be seen by anyone other than Jojo, also accompanies the boy to the Hitler Youth meetings. Jojo's father is supposedly in the German army fighting at the front, but some of the adults - and some of the kids - in the Hitler Youth - believe he is a deserter because he hasn't been heard from in a couple of years.
But it is Jojo's mother, Rosie, who is the interesting parent. She is secretly a member of the resistance who passes out fliers, and, as Jojo discovers to his horror, Rosie has also hidden a Jewish girl behind a wall in a secret chamber in their home. Jojo becomes a friend of Elsa, the Jewish girl who is a few years older than himself, and he decides to interview her and write a book about Jews based primarily on all of the "facts' he has learned at his Hitler Youth meetings. Their question-and-answer sessions do much to illuminate the Nazi propaganda regarding Jews. The book, which he titles "Yoohoo, Jew," is illustrated by Jojo and slowly becomes an encyclopedia of German propaganda about the Jews.
The storyline revolves around the war coming to an end and how that is changing everyone's lives. The movie has some singing, lots of funny bits, but also is shaded by the serious pall of war. It is mostly comedic, but the story will leave viewers contemplating the awfulness of the Second World War.
The title role of Jojo was played by an amazing eleven-year-old citizen of England and France named Roman Griffin Davis. It was his first role in a movie, and he gave a performance that has already garnered a couple of major award nominations. Young Roman, along with all of the other players in the movie, spoke English with sharp German accents - and gave a strong impression of being actual Germans who were learning to exercise their English skills.
A fellow named Taika Waititi wrote and directed this extraordinary film, and he also played Jojo's imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler. By every measure he was the master of the material and developed it into something very unique and special.
Two other actors of note in "Jojo Rabbit" were Scarlett Johansson who played Jojo's mother, Rosie the resister, and Sam Rockwell was was Captain Klenzendorf, the leader of the local Hitler Youth chapter. Johansson and Rockwell each made their quirky characters believable and memorable.
I've already used most of my favorite superlatives in describing "Jojo Rabbit" and some of the people who brought it to the screen, so I will drop back to something a bit more constrained. "Jojo Rabbit" is one helluva good movie - one that most people will enjoy seeing. The only people who might do well to skip it are those who would be offended by a movie that mocks Hitler. Its backhanded condemnation of the untrue things Nazis were saying about Jews was particularly brilliant. The film serves to remind us that hate is often rooted in lies.
"Jojo Rabbit" does not disappoint. Catch it if you can!
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