You have to hand it to Taika Waititi.
The premise of his film "Jojo Rabbit" – nominated for six Academy Awards this year – is jarring. It centers on Jojo, a 10-year-old Nazi-in-training with a ferocious loyalty to Adolf Hitler, who finds out that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home. He must then reconcile with his nationalism with the help of his imaginary friend ... Adolf Hitler (Waititi).
That's a lot to process. There's no doubt that watching a film cheerfully doted with swastikas and featuring a goofy, childlike version of one of the most feared men in history is an odd experience. But there's more to "Jojo Rabbit" than its weirdness.
It's a smart film, a satire of both Hitler's actual regime and the dangers of blind fanaticism, propaganda and prejudice. It's clear by the second or third scene – when Waititi slyly compares Hitler's influence to Beatlemania – that this is a movie with a silly coating and a deeper intention.
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It helps that Jojo, played by talented newcomer Roman Griffin Davis, is instantly likable. Yes, he starts the film wanting nothing more than to be best friends with Hitler – but the audience is always aware that Jojo is just going off of what he's been told. No doubt throughout history, there have been many children who didn't doubt the adults when they told them horrible men were great. Jojo has been told Hitler is right and he doesn't have any reason to believe differently – until he does. And that's when the movie really gets good.
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And Davis isn't alone in giving this film his all. Nearly every member of the cast gives a strong performance but, notably, Scarlett Johansson does some of her best work. Johansson is nominated for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress at this year's Oscars. In both roles, she plays a mother. But it's this one, her supporting role as Jojo's mom, where she really proves her talent. Jojo wouldn't be who he is or who he becomes without his strong, compassionate, challenging mother – and her fire is all Johansson.
As hokey as it may sound, "Jojo Rabbit" is ultimately a film about how children really are all the world has. It reminds its audience that children learn about the world from the adults around them and asks the question, "What are we teaching our kids?"
Watching this film is an odd viewing experience but it's definitely one worth having.
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Now, on to the big questions:
Who might enjoy "Jojo Rabbit"?
People who enjoy movies about precocious children. Fans of war movies, but especially ones that have a deeper meaning. Fans of satire. People who don't mind being a little uncomfortable while watching something.
What else is it nominated for?
Best Supporting Actress (Johansson), Adapted Screenplay (Waititi), Production Design, Costume Design and Film Editing.
What's the likelihood it will win "Best Picture"?
Not likely. Much like "Little Women," "Jojo Rabbit" is a good movie that has earned its nomination, but it isn't a top contender for "Best Picture." It's, frankly, a little weirder than the Academy usually goes for (excluding "The Shape of Water"). It would be more likely that it would take home a statue in the production or costume design categories – but even those are longshots, as stacked as they are with other period pieces.
Ahead of the 92nd annual Academy Awards, KVUE's Britny Eubank is reviewing all of the Oscars' "Best Picture" nominees. If you'd like to read more of her thoughts on all sorts of movies, she writes about them every month. And don't forget to catch the Oscars on KVUE on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.
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