There Is Hope Yet

There are faint glimmers but at least they exist.   Reasons to go out and see a movie, I mean.

I'm not talking about the latest iteration of some super hero movie. 

Or a remake of "Charlie's Angels," courtesy of the mentally bankrupt development folks at a studio.  

Or yet another girl-empowerment cartoon from Disney.  Yes, I'm looking at you, "Frozen 2."

Or some super self-conscious look at the horrific treatment America has given A)Blacks B) Hispanics C) LBGTQ D) Women.

I go to be entertained and the first sterling example this year was Quentin Tarantino's amazingly clever "Once Upon A Time In....Hollywood."

Now 2019 has given us a second original film that dares to be different simply by giving us something worthwhile to see.

Yes, "Jo Jo Rabbit" is that movie.  Different, inventive, and, dare I add, with a message.  A film that has you laughing heartily and then suddenly tugs on your heart strings in an instant.   An expert package of film making from writer/director Taika Waititi...a name that I had to look up to find out whether it was a male or a female.  PS, Taika is a guy.

I can safely say you have never seen a plot like "Jo Jo Rabbit" before.   Young 10-year-old German boy Johannes is an early joiner to Hitler's youth army  (led by the always welcome Sam Rockwell) during World War II.  But his dedication to the cause is challenged when he can't kill a rabbit on command.   To make matters more complicated, he soon discovers that his own mother has hidden a young Jewish girl in the wall of their home.   This is a predicament that Johannes discusses freely with his own imaginary friend...a cartoonish version of Adolf Hitler himself.

Yes, I wrote that all in one paragraph.   And, if it sounds quirky to you, wait till you see how it all unfolds on screen.  With acting performances that are completely on-point, "Jo Jo Rabbit" will have you howling throughout most of the film, but also managing to deliver a strong message in the final reel.   This is a movie that has generated strong Oscar buzz and deservedly so.

Put this on your list this holiday season.   You won't be disappointed.   And...

Heil Waititi!

LEN'S RATING: Four stars.

Dinner last night:  Pork chop and roasted tomatoes.