Jojo Rabbit is an extremely entertaining, and sometimes heartwarming story about an enthusiastic, but somewhat naïve boy (who goes by the name "Jojo"). Oh yeah, and Jojo is an active member of the Hitler Youth. If you're uncomfortable with the last sentence, don't worry, this movie is about as left-leaning and politically correct as any movie could possibly be, so there's no risk of sympathizing with anyone who's not as open minded as you are. The film's director, Taika Waititi also plays the role of Hitler, taking inspiration from Jimmy Stewart's friend Harvey, being there for Jojo as he navigates everyday life as a boy in Nazi Germany. Waititi understands that contemporary audiences would have difficulty fathoming the atrocities that were committed by Nazis, so he depicts them as ignorant, patriotic, gun-loving, partisans.
What's worse, to mischaracterize an ideological adversary as being comparable to a Nazi, or to misrepresent the Nazis by assigning them the traits of your ideological adversary? Both are bad, but I would argue the latter is reprehensible.
On any other night of the year I probably would have closed with the following statement: Even though I realize that I should be offended, Jojo Rabbit was just entertaining enough that I can't stay angry for long. But tonight is different, since I found out just yesterday that a man that I admire greatly, Rush Limbaugh has been diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer, and the prognosis is uncertain. Rush wouldn't let a movie like Jojo Rabbit get away with being reprehensible, and laugh it off in for the sake of entertainment. He would call-out Waititi, and would caution his listeners not to unwittingly support such a perverted worldview. And I'm reminded of many Godly men in my life who would be disappointed to find me promoting such a film. So I must refrain from recommending Jojo Rabbit; its faults far outweigh its merits. There are many better films to choose from. I for one endeavor to search them out, and I will share my findings with you.
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