Jojo Rabbit, Taiki Waitis film adaptation of Caging Skies, is a piece of thought-provoking cinema that manages to bring light to an otherwise-dark part of human history. The film comedically and tragically tells the story of a young boy and his journey from fanatical Nazism through to admitting that his views were not as noble as he once thought.
The director’s depiction of the conflict between good and evil through the eyes of a child gives it an innocence which means you can forgive jokes which in other circumstances may seem crass or in ill taste. While having some real laugh out loud moments, the film is a deeply reflective piece of cinema about how evil can be challenged if we are brave enough to confront it.
The film, in terms of its light-hearted humour, is very much in the same vein as some of Taika Waititi’s previous work such as the 2014 vampire mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows. However, because of the much more serious manner of Jojo Rabbit, he mocks stereotypes and caricatures to point out the ridiculousness of their existence. He uses comedy as a medium by which to highlight the absurdities of the human condition. He uses it as a way of undermining the Nazi ideology and pointing out its deficiency and evil nature as a set of ideas.
The most striking moment occurs towards the end, when Jojo, who’s wearing Nazi regalia, sees his mother’s shoes dangling from a post in the town square, a punishment for her part in the resistance. This stark contrast between light-hearted and deeply moving moments makes the movie’s message even more hard-hitting. Jojo’s own values are challenged and shaken by the consequences of the system which he believes in.
Overall, I believe Jojo Rabbit will leave a lasting impression on any viewer. Although the film may not appeal to everyone due to its dark humour, I believe it will rightfully become a cult classic for movie buffs and casual viewers alike.
