A very funny and powerful comedy-drama.
This film has many shifts in tone, from over the top slapstick to deadly serious drama. This is an idea that could have failed easily, but it works due to one reason. That reason is that this film is first and foremost a character study of Jojo (played pitch perfectly by Roman Griffin Davis). Jojo is a ten year old boy and at first views the world of Nazism as fun and games. Because of this we first see the world this way he does, as something very silly and over the top. This is heightened by Jojo's imaginary friend, a very slapstick version of Adolph Hitler (played by the film's director and co-writer Taika Waititi). It may seem like a strange idea to play Hitler as such a silly slapstick character, but it works perfectly for this movie. The reason for that is that Jojo at first views Nazism as fun and games and so naturally would see Hitler as a very fun figure. While it is hilarious to watch Hitler act like such a silly child, it also lets us know that at this time Jojo does not realize the seriousness of what is happening. As he begins to realize more and more how serious everything is the tone gets more and more serious. Even his imaginary Hitler's over the top humor grows a more sinister and serious edge. The film begins to have much more serious and dramatic moments, including one especially heartbreaking scene. While the film still has some very funny moments, the Nazis no longer are just figures of ridicule to be laughed at but rather characters who can be downright scary as well as funny.
The heart of this movie lies in Jojo's relationship with two characters. The first of these is his mother (Scarlett Johansson). The relationship is a very real and heartfelt one. There is a true sweetness to their relationship. They have completely different world views, yet they are both connected by simply having good hearts and in trying to find joy in this very serious time. Every time she tries to make him laugh or he tries to find a little comfort in her, you feel like you are watching a real mother and son on screen. The other relationship is Jojo's with a Jewish girl (Thomasina McKenzie). This is an understandably more complex relationship, but the two young actors have perfect chemistry and bring the true humanity out in their characters in all of these scenes. These scenes are extremely heartfelt and powerful in a way that I can not describe here.
This is a fantastic movie completely unlike anything else out there right now. It is funny, heartfelt, sad and very smart. It is not for everyone and may disappoint those who want a film that is nothing but silly comedy. However if you enjoy films that like to take risks and don't mind changing for over the top slapstick to serious drama, then this is a must see.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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