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Jojo Rabbit

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Jojo Rabbit
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTaika Waititi
Screenplay byTaika Waititi
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMihai Mălaimare Jr.
Edited byTom Eagles
Music byMichael Giacchino
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 8, 2019 (2019-09-08) (TIFF)
  • October 18, 2019 (2019-10-18) (United States)
Running time
108 minutes[3]
Countries
  • New Zealand[4]
  • Czech Republic[5]
LanguageEnglish

Jojo Rabbit is a 2019 black comedy film written and directed by Taika Waititi. The film stars Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Waititi, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant, Alfie Allen, Sam Rockwell, and Scarlett Johansson. The plot follows a Hitler Youth who finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. It is based on the book Caging Skies by Christine Leunens.[6][7][8]

The film had its world premiere at the 44th Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2019, where it won the People's Choice Award.[9] It is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States and New Zealand on October 18, 2019. Jojo Rabbit divided critics, drawing both praise and criticism for its portrayal of Nazis, though its performances (particularly those of Waititi, Davis, McKenzie, and Johansson) received widespread praise. Its polarized reception has been compared to that of the 1997 film Life Is Beautiful.[10][11]

Plot Synopsis

During World War II, lonely German boy Jojo "Rabbit" Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) has his worldview turned upside down when he discovers that his single mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic. Aided only by his imaginary friend in the form of an idiotic version of Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi), Jojo must confront his ideology.

Cast

  • Roman Griffin Davis as Jojo "Rabbit" Betzler, Rosie's son
  • Thomasin McKenzie as Elsa Korr, a Jewish girl whom Rosie hides in her home
  • Taika Waititi as Adolf Hitler, Jojo's imaginary version of the historical figure
  • Rebel Wilson as Fräulein Rahm, a brutish instructor in the Hitler Youth camp
  • Stephen Merchant as Captain Deertz, a Gestapo agent
  • Alfie Allen as Finkel, the second in command to Captain Klenzendorf
  • Sam Rockwell as Captain Klenzendorf, a Nazi captain who runs a Hitler Youth camp
  • Scarlett Johansson as Rosie Betzler, Jojo's single mother who is secretly anti-Nazi
  • Archie Yates as Yorki, Jojo's best friend

Production

In March 2018, it was revealed that Taika Waititi would not only direct but also co-star in the film as an imaginary Adolf Hitler. Speaking of the context of the role, Waititi said "It's my version of... a lonely boy's best version of his hero, which is really his dad", referencing the fact that in the film, the protagonist, a 10-year-old boy, is desperate to join Hitler's ranks during World War II.[12] Later that month, Scarlett Johansson joined the cast to portray the lead child's mother, who is secretly anti-Nazi.[13] In April 2018, Sam Rockwell joined the cast to portray "a Nazi captain who runs a Hitler Youth camp".[14] In May 2018, Rebel Wilson joined the cast to portray "a brutish instructor in the Hitler Youth Camp the young man has just been recruited to attend". Filming was also set to begin in Prague shortly thereafter.[15] Later that month, newcomer Roman Griffin joined the cast to star as Johansson's son while Kiwi Thomasin McKenzie was cast as Elsa Korr, the Jewish girl whom Johansson hides in her home.[16] In June 2018, Alfie Allen was cast as Finkel, the second in command to Captain Klenzendorf, while Stephen Merchant was cast as Captain Deertz, a Gestapo agent.[17][18]

Principal production commenced on May 28, 2018.[16] In February 2019, reshoots were being completed.[19]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 44th Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2019.[20] It screened at Fantastic Fest in Austin on September 19, 2019.[21][22] It will be the opening night film at the San Diego International Film Festival. on October 15, 2019.[23][24] The film is scheduled to be released on October 18, 2019.[25]

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 79% based on 85 reviews, with an average rating of 7.38/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Jojo Rabbit's blend of irreverent humor and serious ideas definitely won't be to everyone's taste – but either way, this anti-hate satire is audacious to a fault."[26] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 51 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[27]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Toronto International Film Festival September 15, 2019 Grolsch People's Choice Award Jojo Rabbit Won [28]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Gleiberman, Owen (September 8, 2019). "Toronto Film Review: 'Jojo Rabbit'". Variety. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  2. ^ "Jojo Rabbit premieres at TIFF & releases teasers". Piki Films. July 24, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  3. ^ "Jojo Rabbit". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  4. ^ "The real Kiwi story behind Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit". Entertainment. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  5. ^ "The real Kiwi story behind Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit". Expartscz. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  6. ^ www.vulture.com https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/jojo-rabbit-trailer-taika-waititi-hitler.html. Retrieved September 21, 2019. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ "Why 'Jojo Rabbit' takes aim at Nazis and Hitler in Taika Waititi's 'anti-hate' satire". Los Angeles Times. September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  8. ^ Pelletier, Lee (August 6, 2019). ""Caging Skies" Author Talks WWII, Hitler Youth and Upcoming Film "Jojo Rabbit" - BookTrib Christine Leunens Caging Skies Jojo Rabbit". BookTrib. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  9. ^ "Jojo Rabbit' Wins Toronto's Grolsch People's Choice Award; Best Picture Oscar Predictor?". Deadline Hollywood. September 16, 2019. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  10. ^ "Disney Hitler movie Jojo Rabbit divides critics and angers Germany". The Daily Telegraph. September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  11. ^ Sharf, Zack (September 9, 2019). "'Jojo Rabbit' Sharply Divides TIFF With Oscar Buzz and Uproar Over Nazi Storyline". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  12. ^ Donnelly, Matt (March 14, 2018). "'Jojo Rabbit': Taika Waititi to Play Imaginary Hitler in 'Thor: Ragnarok' Director's New Film (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  13. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 29, 2018). "Scarlett Johansson to Star in Taika Waititi's 'Jojo Rabbit' for Fox Searchlight (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  14. ^ Galuppo, Mia (April 23, 2018). "Sam Rockwell Joining Scarlett Johansson in Taika Waititi's 'Jojo Rabbit' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  15. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (May 22, 2018). "Rebel Wilson Joins Taika Waititi's WWII Satire 'Jojo Rabbit' As Frightful Fraulein". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  16. ^ a b N'Duka, Amanda (May 31, 2018). "Taika Waititi's WWII Pic 'Jojo Rabbit' Adds Thomasin McKenzie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  17. ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (June 15, 2018). "'Game Of Thrones' Alfie Allen Joins 'JoJo Rabbit' & 'How To Build A Girl'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  18. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (June 19, 2018). "Stephen Merchant To Play Gestapo Agent In Taika Waititi's WWII Satire 'Jojo Rabbit'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  19. ^ Topel, Fred (February 4, 2019). "Taika Waititi is Finishing 'Jojo Rabbit' Reshoots, Movie Will Be Released This Fall [TCA 2019]". /Film. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  20. ^ Lang, Brent (July 23, 2019). "Toronto Film Festival: 'Joker,' 'Ford v Ferrari,' 'Hustlers' Among Big Premieres". Variety. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  21. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (September 20, 2019). "Fantastic Fest Review: JOJO RABBIT - Empire Of The Son". Birth.Movies.Death. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  22. ^ Long, Christian (September 19, 2019). "Jojo Rabbit broke and healed Fantastic Fest's collective heart". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  23. ^ Couch, Aaron (July 30, 2019). "Taika Waititi's 'Jojo Rabbit' to Premiere at Fantastic Fest". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  24. ^ "2019 San Diego Intl Film Festival". secure.sdiff.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  25. ^ Welk, Brian (May 13, 2019). "Taika Waititi's Hitler Satire 'Jojo Rabbit' Lands Fall Release Date". The Wrap. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  26. ^ "Jojo Rabbit (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on September 19, 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  27. ^ "Jojo Rabbit (2019)". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  28. ^ Etan Vlessing, "Toronto: Taika Waititi's 'Jojo Rabbit' Wins Audience Award" Archived September 15, 2019, at the Wayback Machine. The Hollywood Reporter, September 15, 2019.
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