"She doesn't seem like a bad person."

Jojo Rabbit tells the tale of Jojo, a young German boy in Hitler's army finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home. 

I'm writing this review weeks after I've seen the film, so I’ll make this as simple as I can: This is the best film I've seen this year outside of everything I’ve seen from the new movie binge, and it didn't take 3.5 hours to get through. I believe this film deserves all the awards this season, and I hope it earns every single one. The cast is perfect, the writing is impeccable, the two child actors were some of the best I’ve ever seen in a movie. If I could put together a top 10 list, both actors would be in the same entry. I’ve heard this film is a bit polarizing in some regards, and I can clearly see why. However, I land on the side that finds absolutely nothing offensive, but rather totally funny. This is another one of those movies I knew I wanted to own the minute the credits started rolling. Taika Waititi is outrageously funny as Hitler himself and plays up the role expertly, with equal parts humor and gravitas. 

Scarlett Johansson is a revelation, and for anyone who suggests that she’s not that talented of an address and mostly gets by on her exceptional good looks needs to give this a thorough viewing. I’m pretty sure this is by far my favorite of her movies and I hope she gets supporting actress nominations, if not wins. Sam Rockwell and Rebel Wilson also equal parts hilarious in this film which makes light and satirizes one of the darkest chapters in the world of human history. It clearly takes exceptional amount of care and delicacy to handle this kind of material the way it was. This is only the second Taika Waititi film I’ve seen but I’d be interested to see more. There’s also a great deal to meet mention about the production design as well. There’s a heartbreaking moment that takes place outside, where we then cut to shots of houses, and if you see what I see, I think you’ll agree but the production design is beyond stellar. What starts off as a mere satire slowly unravels into a bit of a love story. Roman Davis (in his first movie, apparently) and Thomas Mckinzie killed it in this movie. The chemistry and performances of both child actors involved cannot garner enough praise. I’m very interested to see what happens next with these two kids, and I can't say enough good things about this film. Go see Jojo Rabbit for its compelling premise, it’s exceptional writing, humor, directing and acting and if you want to see one of the best movies of the year. Best Picture, please for this original, and heartwarming good time. It is a Ricky Nixx film.

Year: 2019

Director: Taika Waititi 

Writers: Christine Leunens (novel), Taika Waititi (screenplay) 

Stars: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson