Scarlett Johansson is rarely lost for words but she struggled to talk about her comedy “Jojo Rabbit” — which is set in Nazi Germany — while visiting Monday’s “Tonight Show.”
Even though Johansson stars in the film, neither she nor Jimmy Fallon could seem to describe what it’s about, why it’s funny or why you should go see it.
“A World War II…Germany…,” Fallon attempted. “You were supposed to do the heavy lifting on this one,” Johansson replied.
Directed by Taika Waititi, “Jojo Rabbit” is described as an “anti-hate satire” set during the downfall era of Nazi Germany. Johansson stars as the mother of a boy (Roman Griffin Davis) in the Hitler youth program who misses his father off at war and finds solace in an imaginary friend version of Adolf Hitler. But everything changes when the boy discovers that is mother is harboring a teenage Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic.
The hard part is maybe articulating why it’s funny, and neither knew where to begin on that one either.
“I don’t know how to make it funny, but it’s very unbelievably funny,” Fallon said.
“OK, I’ll try. It does take place in Nazi Germany, not exactly a hilarious time or place, but…um…Why why,” Johansson attempted. She even pleaded with the audience to stop after she could hear them sighing in disbelief at what she’s making the film sound like.
“I’m trying! Just go see it, it’s great! It’s so unusual. It’s so fun. It’s so colorful,” she finished. “The movie has so much heart, it has so much hope. It’s so lovable and unique.”
“Jojo Rabbit” is in theaters now. Watch the clip above, where Johansson has a better time describing both “Black Widow” and “Marriage Story.”