Scarlett Worthington’s review published on Letterboxd:
“Fuck off Hitler.”
Rich in satirical comedy and heart rendering drama.
This film has finally become available to me and I’m so happy because I’ve wanted to watch it for so so long it ticks all the Scarlett boxes as to what I love to see in film (you know satirical on the nose comedy, war time drama and a brilliant director). Of course it didn’t disappoint in the slightest however it did surprise me, I thought I knew exactly what I was getting when I put this film on and I was wrong and although that caught me off guard it kind of made this film even better.
I really did just think this was going to be a fun heartwarming drama that had you know an imaginary Hitler, some hilarious satirical content and then progress into a beautiful exploration into relationships and I’d feel all happy and fuzzy you know. While that is true, I should have known that this being a film set in Nazi Germany would mean there would be tragedy, I’m pretty dumb for thinking there wouldn’t be this but alas here we are. The turn this film takes is masterful as it doesn’t turn into another film, it remains the same but adds a sense of horrific reality which is just extremely clever and a very effective cinematic tool. This does not by any means mean that I thought Nazi Germany was all fun and games, I’m not an uneducated fool. It’s a part of history I know a lot about and have been interested in since I was really young (was a bit weird for a seven year old to excessively research Nazi Germany ngl) therefore I look forward to see when a director chooses to make a film and I thought this was going to be reminiscent of The Great Dictator but even then, you’re laughing and smiling for practically the whole film but you are still reminded of the war against humanity the Nazis and Hitler enforced. This film is probably more reminiscent of Life is Beautiful but I haven’t seen it yet so I can’t be sure but watching this definitely makes me want to see it as soon as possible.
I really do think this is Taika Waititi’s best film. It’s obviously a film that shows just how absurd war and fascism is but how it does that through its brilliant balance of comedy, heart-warming moments as well as serving as an insight into Nazi Germany and how terrible it was really make this into a film that will get you crying, laughing but also thinking.
