Armageddon Time

Focus Features | Release Date: October 28, 2022

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 51 Ratings

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Brent_MarchantJan 10, 2023

To be perfectly honest, I was at a loss to understand exactly what writer-director James Gray was going for in this coming of age story. Set in New York in 1980, the film follows the exploits of an ill-behaved Jewish sixth-grader (BanksTo be perfectly honest, I was at a loss to understand exactly what writer-director James Gray was going for in this coming of age story. Set in New York in 1980, the film follows the exploits of an ill-behaved Jewish sixth-grader (Banks Repeta) who shows promise as an aspiring artist but operates below his potential, particularly when he engages in largely inexplicable pranks and mischief with his African-American best friend (Jaylin Webb), much to the dismay of his parents (Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong). In fact, the only one who seems to be able to connect with the young man is his wise old grandfather (Anthony Hopkins), a relationship that seems implausible given the protagonist’s behavioral track record. But that primary story thread is often muddled by a clumsily handled array of other plotlines and narrative themes related to racial and class privilege, parental abuse and complacency, antisemitism, and a problematic educational system, as well as occasional fantasy sequences. To make matters worse, the camera work is generally far too dark throughout the film, taking its gloomy atmospheric quality to an overwrought, heavy-handed extreme. Collectively, all of these elements are essentially designed to convey the message that “life sometimes isn’t fair” (now there’s a profound revelation for you), one that the filmmaker appears to be trying to tie to the picture’s time frame at the onset of the Reagan Era. This combination makes for a rather disappointing, underwhelming cinematic offering, despite a trailer and marketing materials that appear to promise viewers more. In all fairness, the picture features several fine performances (most notably Hopkins, Hathaway, Webb and a brief walk-on appearance by Jessica Chastain), but the film’s lead is played by a young, largely inexperienced actor who’s simply not up to the part (and is often as annoying to viewers as he is to his character’s parents). That uninspired portrayal undoubtedly is undermined by the film’s meandering screenplay and uneven, often-half-baked character development (as seen by Strong’s scattered father figure performance). Whatever the filmmaker was trying to say in this seriously unfocused tale is, sadly, likely to leave audiences as perplexed as its adolescent protagonist. Indeed, if anybody out there can clarify this for me, please let me know.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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JLuis_001Nov 18, 2022

With the knowledge that this coming-of-age story is based on its director's own experiences, Armageddon Time plays a dangerous game when it over-embellishes things for the sake of enhancing its work. Of course, it's completely understandableWith the knowledge that this coming-of-age story is based on its director's own experiences, Armageddon Time plays a dangerous game when it over-embellishes things for the sake of enhancing its work. Of course, it's completely understandable why that would happen in a drama that's constructed that way, but even with the honesty of what it wants to tell, you obviously stop believing much of what you're seeing as the experiences of a child because they just don't feel realistic, even when you are fully aware that you are watching a movie. It has good intentions, I know that, but it becomes complicated to connect with the experience.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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CarlElmoreNov 25, 2022

Really great performances from Jeremy Strong, Anne Hathaway and Anthony Hopkins but this film was so boring.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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TVJerryNov 7, 2022

Since the central character is a 12-year-old boy, you might think this film is aimed at kids, but the subject (while appropriate and timely) is approached as an adult experience. Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong play the parents of a feistySince the central character is a 12-year-old boy, you might think this film is aimed at kids, but the subject (while appropriate and timely) is approached as an adult experience. Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong play the parents of a feisty 6th grader (Banks Repeta) in 80s Queens. His dreams of being an artist are challenged by his working class family's values and unfriendly school experiences. His main solace is his grandfather (Anthony Hopkins), who offers him life lessons, especially dealing with their own Jewish heritage and coping with conflict, sometimes around race. Repeta creates a charming, spirited character and the rest of the cast is strong. Writer/director James Gray has revisited his own youth in this understated, mildly sweet and easily forgettable drama about morality and family.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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moviemitch96Nov 3, 2022

A young Jewish-American boy comes of age in 1980s alongside his African-American best friend who serves as a kind but bad influence to him. Their lives are examined through the schools they attend, along with their differing social class,A young Jewish-American boy comes of age in 1980s alongside his African-American best friend who serves as a kind but bad influence to him. Their lives are examined through the schools they attend, along with their differing social class, privilege, background, etc. Written and directed by James Gray, the film serves as a very autobiographical picture for the director, as it's based on his own similar upbringing in Queens New York. The film has many touching and poignant moments and subjects, along with some fine acting from all involved (Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong in particular are stellar as the parents here), and Anthony Hopkins also shines like usual as the grandfather. Jessica Chastain even pops in towards the middle for a one-scene cameo. However, a lot of it starts to feel a little too heavy-handed and preachy as the film goes on, and I personally started to feel a little checked out three quarters of the way through the film. Overall, the performances from all are commendable, even from the two young boys, and there are plenty of moving scenes here, but it all starts to feel bogged down by somewhat preachy moral lessons by the second half that water down the film's intended impact.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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sharonlynneNov 3, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Movie was very good Anthony Hopkins was great and should get nominated for an Oscar!!… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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AnnancNov 19, 2022

Sobrang Ganda ng movie na ito .Ang galing ng Bida .. napaka unik ng mga karater nla

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Mauro_LanariMay 1, 2023

(Mauro Lanari)
A semi-autobiography that is a political pamphlet against the Republican Party from Reagan to Trump, as if since then the so-called Left Wing has ever behaved differently. In realpolitik there is only one way to obtain(Mauro Lanari)
A semi-autobiography that is a political pamphlet against the Republican Party from Reagan to Trump, as if since then the so-called Left Wing has ever behaved differently. In realpolitik there is only one way to obtain consensus and manage the acquired power, in the democracy of alternation the decisions taken by the conservatives have never been annulled, the reformists have thanked for the inherited gifts and continued on the same path, from Carter to Clinton, from Obama to Biden, from British Labour to our post-communists. The American dream colonized the West and is the new socioeconomic koine of at least half the planet (are the BRICS a credible alternative?). In short, "Armageddon Time" is the antithesis of what the director and with him contemporary cinema want us to believe, and I don't know if at least once it will happen to me an honest film on this subject (some precious crumb of Moretti?). "James Gray in competition at Cannes, for the fifth time, with his worst film: an inert, unwarlìke, even repellent autobiography" (Federico Pontiggia). The festival's washing of consciences and the 7-minute standing ovation are born and die there, most of the audience has long since dismantled this false reconstruction and rightfully has deserted.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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