Creative and unpredictible

Rating: 9/10 (13 February 2020)

I saw a preview of JoJo Rabbit months ago and wrote it off as art house remainder bin, but when my life changed recently and I needed to see a movie that might shake me up I thought "Why not?" From the first shot it reminded me of Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom (2012), that I loved, and it spread out and deepened up to the last scene. Sure, it's goofy, but life is goofy. Just look at our current politics (and political leaders). Every personality in this movie is over the top, which makes it an anti-documentary that rings more true than not. The child protagonist reminded me of The Kid in Charlie Chaplin's movie of that name. Sadly, there was only one other person in the audience at today's suburban afternoon weekday matinee. The tone of JoJo Rabbit won't be everyone's cup of tea but I encourage every slightly bent, broken, or discouraged movie goer to roll the dice and see this minor masterpiece. If your choice is either JoJo Rabbit or a presidential rally, fellow citizens choose life over death.