Film Review: Jojo Rabbit. Director: Taika Waititi.

 Cinema that has levity in its presentation of a satire is more effective in making the audience pensive and uncomfortable than a film that has a dark premise and dark presentation with an open intent to make the audience uncomfortable. For a better understanding and a deeper perspective, humor is the best genre. Cinemas like 'Modern Times' and 'The Great Dictator' depicted reality with levity, and that is what made them massive hits. One such under-rated gem in the contemporary cinema panorama is 'Jojo Rabbit' directed by Taika Waititi, based on the novel titled 'Caging Skies' written by Christine Leunens. 

An innocent ten year old Johannes Betzler is Adolf Hitler's biggest sycophant, so much so that he fancies the Fuhrer as his closest friend (even closer than his real best friend, Yorkie). With admiration for Hitler, comes the hatred for Jews. One day, he discovers that a Jewish girl has been hiding in his attic. 

Dan Brown said that "no one is more indoctrinated than the indoctrinator". 'Jojo Rabbit mainly focuses on how misguiding young minds and generating hatred at a tender age can have adverse effects. The difference between being a patriot and a Nazi, the stigmatization of Jews and pain caused to them,  along with the 'Nordic-Aryan' superiority complex is all aptly embodied in the cinema. 

'Jojo Rabbit' is a must watch, not only for the powerful message it seeks to give, but also for its mastery in the subtle art of subtlety. George Bernard Shaw said,"all intellectual work is humorous in character".  The athwartedness of war and Nazism with the spirit of humanity, and the wonderful and life-saving banality of humanity is wonderfully characterized in the cinema. 

The review would be incomplete without mentioning the 2013 film 'The Book Thief', based on the novel 'The Book Thief' written by Marcus Zusak. Even though the language of both the films is different, (language meaning substance in this context), their spirit is the same. There are three types of motion pictures: 

Movie: it is a motion picture that the audience would watch and forget. 

Film: it is a motion picture that would influence the audience. 

Cinema: it is a motion picture that the audience would carry with them for the rest of their lives. 

'Jojo Rabbit' is a cinema that is way ahead of its time, mainly because it made horrible realities a matter of course. The patriarchy, the defined gender roles, the stigmatization of homosexuality are other things this work of art touched upon. The herculean task of depicting the importance of love is effectively accomplished in the cinema. 

Taika Waititi, who played Adolf Hitler brings a fresh perspective as the audience has never imagined Hitler as a comical character before. Scarlett Johansson, who plays the loving, rebellious, goodhearted, straight forward and stylish Rosie Betzler emanates versatility and breathes life into her character. Thomasin Mackenzie who plays the sweet and tristful Elsa Korr has done a great job, and of course Roman Griffin Davis, who plays the lead role of Johannes Betzler has performed stunningly. The unmissable side roles of Sam Rockwell as Captain K and Rebel Wilson as Fraulien Rahm accentuates the authenticity of this masterpiece. 

The direction of the film is par excellent and the director has succeeded in tapping into the performance potential of very actor. The aesthetics of the film, as well as the relevant and subtle background music, including re-mastered songs by 'The Beatles' and David Bowie, makes the cinema an absolute treat for music and art lovers. 

As Jojo and Elsa traverse on the path of life, the audience laughs and cries with them along with the cognitive performance of the task of thinking about everything and experiencing every emotion in the process. Overall, the film is excellent and cannot be missed. 

MY TAKE: 10/10. 

Author: Ms. Radhika Sunil Vaidya. 

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