‘Jojo Rabbit’ takes an absurd premise and becomes one of 2019’s best films

Posted on November 15, 2019

By MARK VIOLA

In today’s world of cancel culture and permanent offense, it’s hard to believe  filmmaker Taika Waititi (“What We Do in the Shadows,” “Thor: Ragnarok”) made a satirical film set in Nazi Germany following a boy whose imaginary friend is Adolf Hitler.

Yet, that is exactly what he did with “Jojo Rabbit,” which he directed and wrote, based on the novel by Christine Leunens. Walking a tightrope hundreds of feet above a burning pit of potential outrage, somehow Waititi not only makes it across to the other side, he does so while delivering a beautifully poignant and uncomfortably funny film.

There are few things I like more than a smartly written movie. However, “Jojo Rabbit” is not just smartly written, it is brilliantly written. Seemingly every line of dialogue can be interpreted on multiple levels, all the while a message of love triumphing over hate boils just under the surface. Last week, I mentioned how “Terminator: Dark Fate” got worse the longer I thought about it.

“Jojo Rabbit” is the exact opposite. Upon leaving the theater, I was quite sure it would be in my Top 10 for 2019. A hour later, I was confident it would be in the upper half of that list. Now, days later, I can say I would not be surprised if the movie finds its way to the very top when the dust settles.

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