Film review: ‘ARMAGEDDON TIME’, by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’

Armageddon Time, which was the opening night feature at this year’s Jewish Film Festival, is a wonderfully poignant rites of passage drama based on the experiences of its writer/ director James Gray.

(Michael) Banks Repeta plays a slightly fictionalised version of Gray named Paul Graff, a decent but precocious and trouble-prone 12-year-old living in Queens, New York in 1980.  A day dreamer who harbours fantasies about becoming a famous artist, Paul constantly infuriates his schoolteachers, his strict father, Irving (Jeremy Strong) and well-meaning but despondent mother, Esther (Anne Hathaway). After befriending rebellious classmate, the older and more worldly African American, Johnny (Jaylin Webb), Paul is packed off to a snooty private school, the patron of which is one Fred Trump, father of you know who.  Despite this drastic action by his parents, Paul isn’t willing to give up on his friendship with Johnny or his willingness to follow his own path.

Armageddon Time explores many of the familiar coming-of-age story tropes but does so with honesty, conviction and sensitivity that makes this story engaging from start to finish. As Paul tries to navigate a rapidly changing world, the film reminds us of the confused, impressionable creatures we were as 12-year-olds and how we could be misled by fantasies, naïveté and false confidence. The film also shows the impact friendship, losing loved ones, first exposure to new ideas, art and culture and damaging family discord have on someone that age. Additionally, through Paul’s relationship and discussions about life with his main confidante, his kindly, philosophical but salty grandpa, Aaron (Anthony Hopkins) the film touches on the antisemitic prejudice that looms over their lives.

Young Banks Repeta does a terrific job as Paul. While importantly making Paul a sympathetic figure he doesn’t turn him into a one-dimensional innocent. He’s at times annoying, cheeky and disrespectful of his elders but his behaviour feels real.  As adults we know he’d be better off shutting his mouth but this is the way young people act.  As his troubled friend Johnny, Jaylin Webb is also excellent and has a composure and screen presence beyond his years.  Thankfully, the adult stars, Hathaway and Hopkins play their roles with restraint and don’t overwhelm the film.  Hopkins in particular delivers a touching performance as Aaron.

Cleverly, Gray evokes the era without ramming home the pop cultural references and nostalgia. The year 1980 was a fascinating one, aesthetically different from the rest of the 80’s and a remarkable time of flux as the freewheeling 70s came to a close and an ominous conservatism in the form of Reagan and Thatcher was taking hold.  There are snippets of songs from the period – not surprisingly including The Clash’s ‘Armagideon Time’ – but it’s not a Gen X juke box which would have sounded great but would have felt weirdly contrived in such an honest and low-key film as this.

Many will be surprised to learn that this film comes from the same director as historical adventure Lost City of Z and science fiction epic Ad Astra, it could hardly be further away in look and tone from those films.  Clearly, Gray is a remarkable talent as director and as this film shows, someone with a fascinating back story.

Nick’s rating: ****

Genre: Drama/ Biopic/ Coming of age.

Classification: M

Director(s): James Gray.

Release date: 27th Oct 2022.

Running time: 115 mins.

Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.

 

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