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There comes a time for every kid when the easygoing comfort of their safe little bubble of family and community starts to fade away—and the difficult realities of life start to become clear. And the coming-of-age drama Armageddon Time follows a carefree preteen through that difficult transition.
Armageddon Time introduces a close-knit family living in Queens in 1980. Paul Graff (Banks Repeta) is in sixth grade at the local public school, but he struggles to focus on anything but drawing. His PTA president mother, Esther (Anne Hathaway), just wants the best for him, and his plumber father, Irving (Jeremy Strong), just doesn’t understand him. Only his grandfather (Anthony Hopkins) manages to get through to him. But when Paul befriends his classmate Johnny (Jaylin Webb), he begins to learn more about the challenges and prejudices all around him.
Until this point, Paul’s life has been about dinners with extended family, drawing superheroes, and trying to avoid his brother’s teasing and his father’s temper. He’s a cocky kid who believes that his middle-class family is rich—and that he’s untouchable because his mom is the president of the PTA. But the film explores his gradual awakening to life’s harsh realities.
Through his two favorite people—his grandfather and his best friend—Paul learns about prejudice and opportunity. He learns that he may not get some of the chances that he deserves because his family is Jewish—and he’ll have to work harder to get ahead. And he sees it firsthand in Johnny, who faces so many challenges because of the color of his skin. He watches as Johnny takes the blame for any disruption in class—eventually causing him to lash out because of his feelings of hopelessness.
Paul’s story is personal and relational and generational—but not necessarily original. It’s the story of parents and grandparents who want life to be easier for the next generations. Paul’s father wants him to get a better education and a better job—one that will earn him respect. And his immigrant grandfather teaches him to take advantage of his opportunities while still being a mensch for those who can’t defend themselves—something that’s often easier said than done.
Despite its family dinners and chats with an ever-delightful Anthony Hopkins, though, this isn’t an uplifting story of friendship and family. The message of the film seems to be “Life is unfair—so just hope you get lucky.” And for viewers—just as for Paul—it all ends in a way that feels rather hopeless.
Armageddon Time is prejudice and despair wrapped up in a film about school days and family dinners. Paul’s story is honest and eye-opening and sometimes moving, too, but it’s also heavy—and that makes it feel longer than its runtime.
Reserve yourself a seat at the Graff family’s table and watch Armageddon Time in theaters starting on November 4, 2022.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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