Aaron Huynh

An incredibly well written and deep coming of age story that creatively and humorously depicts a boy's inner struggle between what he is taught to be true and the truth he is able to see with his own eyes. Punctuated by bouts of satirical humor, the movie presents the dark themes of blind obedience and patriotism along with the light hearted and warming gestures of freedom and love. Jojo's transition from the ignorant yet fanatical Nazi back to a happy yet matured ten year old boy is helped in part by Elsa, a Jewish girl that his mother had been hiding in their home. Through Elsa, Jojo not only discovers love but also a comprehension of reality and an understanding of the lunacy and destruction that was the Nazi Party. As audience members laugh, giggle, and cry, they will no doubt sympathize with Jojo, a representation of the child once within all of us: the child who has experienced hate, loneliness, loss, enlightenment, and love.