“JOJO RABBIT” — 4 stars — Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi, Sam Rockwell; PG-13 (mature thematic content, some disturbing images, violence and language); in general release; running time: 108 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The first 30 minutes of “Jojo Rabbit” is a surreal comic uppercut, but the whole bout is one of the most sincere and moving films of 2019. It might be time to formally declare director Taika Waititi an international treasure.
The heart of “Jojo Rabbit” is the story of a young German boy forced to reevaluate his prejudices when he discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his attic during the last months of World War II. But this is one of those films that is much more than its premise, as made clear in the movie’s opening scenes.
The story opens in the zany, highly comic deadpan style that has defined Waititi’s previous films, like “Thor: Ragnarok” (his most recent outing) and 2016’s under-the-radar gem “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.” Through the eyes of his protagonist, Waikiti introduces mid-1940s Germany through a parodic comic lens, filtered through Nazi propaganda.
Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) is 10 years old, highly impressionable and desperate to fit in, so joining the Hitler Youth is his life’s mission. He’s so immersed in Nazi propaganda that when he makes that classic kid move and dreams up an imaginary best friend, he conjures up Hitler (played with a satirical cheerfulness by the director).
Jojo wants nothing more than to serve his country and be a hero, just like his father, who is away fighting the war. But after an accident at a youth training camp, he winds up doing odd jobs in the local propaganda office for a one-eyed disqualified officer named Klenzendorf (Sam Rockwell).
The youngster tries to make the best of things, with continued support from his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson). Rosie understands her son’s enthusiasm but harbors a more mature view of what she sees happening in her homeland. When she and Jojo come across a group of accused traitors hanging in the town square, the boy asks what they did, and Rosie replies: “They did what they could.”
Rosie’s sympathies become clear when Jojo discovers a teenage girl she’s been hiding in their attic. Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) is older, Jewish and hardened by her circumstances. She easily intimidates Jojo into keeping her secret, but as the film moves forward and their relationship grows, the boy is forced to reevaluate everything his tiny world has taught him.
In spite of the film’s unconventional and off-the-wall style, it isn’t hard to see where the different dynamics of “Jojo Rabbit’s” principal characters are headed. But the journey is delightful, heartbreaking and truly remarkable. Over the course of a 108-minute run time, the zany comic vibe gradually evolves into something very different. Something still amusing at times, but appropriately sober and thoughtful.
Waititi has traditionally woven sincere and sweet messages amid his offbeat, deadpan comic material, but “Jojo Rabbit” represents a significant leap forward. Part of the film’s success is due to its winning cast, led by the wide-eyed and perfectly innocent Davis. Rockwell is also excellent in his supporting role as Captain Klenzendorf, and McKenzie is an absolute powerhouse, channeling the same talent that was evident in last year’s “Leave No Trace.”
It might be a little jarring at first to get used to Waititi’s comic treatment of Nazi Germany, which brings to mind “Hogan’s Heroes” or Mel Brooks’ “The Producers.” In a way, “Jojo Rabbit” feels like a distant cousin of Roberto Benigni’s “Life is Beautiful,” another unconventional film set during the Holocaust. But however you look at it, “Jojo Rabbit” is a profoundly moving film and one of the best of 2019.
Rating explained: “Jojo Rabbit” is rated PG-13 for comic (and noncomic) violence, adult themes and scattered profanity (including references to deity and a single use of the F-word).