Jojo Rabbit (2019)

We loved this dark comedy about a Nazi-in-training, whose imaginary friend is crazy Hitler, and a Jewish teenager that his mom is hiding in their house. It's at turns slapstick--part Springtime for Hitler, part Wes Anderson--and then heart-rending, as in Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008). Roman Griffith Davis is transcendent as ten-year-old Johannes AKA Jojo, as is his little buddy Yorki, played by Archie Yates. Director/writer Taika Waititi is hilarious as Hitler, Thomasin McKenzie is marvelous as the covert housemate Elsa, and we get terrific performances from Scarlett Johansson as Jojo's free-spirit mom, Sam Rockwell as a frustrated Hitler Youth officer, Rebel Wilson as one of his staff, and others, too numerous to list.

Waititi adapted the novel Caging Skies by Christine Leunens. I must mention the glorious look of this picture, with production design by Ra Vincent (oh, the wood in Jojo's apartment!), cinematography by Mihai Malaimare Jr. (bright, saturated colors!), and costumes by Mayes C. Rubeo (just wow). Michael Giacchino composed the original score, supplementing the songs, which can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, and elsewhere.

Waititi was last blogged for What We Do in the Shadows (on which Vincent was production designer), McKenzie for Leave No Trace, Johansson Avengers: Infinity War, Rockwell for Vice, Wilson for How to Be Single, Giacchino for Spider-Man: Far from Home, Malaimare shot The Hate U Give, and Rubeo did wardrobe for Avatar and more.

Critics are dumb. Rotten Tomatoes' critics' average is a mediocre 79%. Its audiences agree with us, however, coming in at 98. As of this writing the movie has 4 wins and 3 more nominations. I predict more. We saw it opening weekend.