James Gray directs Banks Repeta, Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong in this coming-of-age flick based on James Gray’s own experience of moving from public school to private school, his highly strung Jewish family and his awakening to the continual injustice of racism in society.

Gray is always a director who you know has the goods. Yet his movies uniformly fulfil their promise to the penny, never spoil you. He is masterly and patient. But that can be a nice way of saying his film making voice is boring and mummified. Armageddon Time is set in the punk era. The Clash’s album track of a similar name is a constant mournful refrain lingering within the soundscape of the movie. Rebellion but at a distance. There’s a lot here that rings true. The bullying injustices that mediocre teachers dole out to the outsiders in any class. The tentative friendship between two kids of wildly different backgrounds and futures. The alienating class divides and insidious attitudes of the private school culture. The inappropriate presence of the Trump family within that institution. The pressures of lower middle class family life. The expectation, thwarted ambitions, anxious emotive outbursts. Armageddon Time covers a ton and covers it well. Should be a five star film, right? Yet Gray’s consummate style puts all these quality, heartfelt elements behind museum glass. It is all display. Intellect not intuitive. The telling flaw is Anthony Hopkins’ mensch of a grandfather. A clever filmmaker would cast a sparkly Jewish character actor unknown for this lovely role. Lecter chews it up and takes you out of the truth of the sentiments he champions. Shame as there is a truly fine modern classic movie buried within these weighty themes and keenly intimate observations. But you could say the same of The Lost City Of Z, We Own The Night or The Yards.

7

Perfect Double Bill: The Tender Bar (2021)

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