Jojo Rabbit

Taking a controversial, comedic approach to the most sensitive of subjects, Taika Waititi writes, directs and stars in an idiosyncratic adaptation of Christine Leunens's novel Caging Skies. Set during the Second World War, the story follows a devoted member of the Hitler Youth, Jojo (British newcomer Roman Griffin Davis), and his concerned German resistance mother (Scarlett Johansson). We watch Jojo negotiate his challenging childhood accompanied by the most improbable of imaginary friends, in the form of a fatherly and encouraging version of Adolf Hitler (played peppily by Waititi himself). When Jojo befriends a young Jewish woman in hiding (Thomasin McKenzie), he is forced to confront the horrific reality of his idol's actions - scenes that are hugely moving, with further heartbreak to come. Jojo Rabbit is compassionate, cute and credibly assumes the perspective of a bewildered, brainwashed ten-year-old, while its colourful cast (including Sam Rockwell and Rebel Wilson) are routinely hilarious. Waititi - who is Jewish on his mother's side - deftly alternates sincerity with eccentricity, boldly bringing his own voice to the material. It shouldn't work, but it does, and wonderfully.