Jojo Rabbit

One of the odd things about films is that moment when you watch something then read reviews and think you’ve seen a different film.

My latest entrant into this list is Taika Waititi’s oddly divisive Jojo Rabbit. For me it’s an exceptional piece of work, funny, thoughtful, touching and at times shocking.

It focuses on 10 year old Jojo an enthusiastic young Nazi with Hitler as an imaginary friend as he lives through the final days of the second world war and the collapse of the Nazi regime.

Don’t be fooled this isn’t a war film, it’s about a youngster finding his way in life as life challenges the things he believes, from Nazi doctrine to how he sees Jews. The film is built around a fantastic first time performance from Roman Griffin Davis and another superb one from Thomasin McKenzie, supported well by Waititi himself, Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson.

The criticis of the film feel it doesn’t deal with the Nazi horror seriously enough, for me, that’s the whole point, its strength is its depiction of the ridiculousness of war, of hate built on prejudice and of blind unquestioned fanaticism. The story telling balances comedy and pathos perfectly, its emotional twist is beautifully handled and given time for it to be absorbed.

The writing is slick, the humour well placed and the core message well meant and delivered. I think this is a superb movie and at a time in the world where intolerance runs rife a film that puts it at its heart and shows it for the pointless and ridiculous pursuit it is, is to be welcomed.

Waititi has crafted a film that is as touching as it is funny and as positive and warm hearted as its subject is ridiculous and I’m amazed at the mixed reaction, but all opinions are valid even if they’re wrong.