Armageddon Time [Blu-ray]

Director: James Gray James Gray

Overview

In the 1980s, the Graff family, helmed by patriarch Aaron (Anthony Hopkins), immigrates to Queens, New York, in pursuit of new opportunities. Aaron's son Irving (Jeremy Strong) and daughter-in-law Esther (Anne Hathaway) navigate new pitfalls and struggles in their marriage as they adapt to life in America. Meanwhile, young Paul (Michael Banks Repeta) experiences a coming-of-age journey while garnering a new appreciation for his family's inner strength. James Gray writes and directs the period drama inspired by true events from his childhood. Co-starring Jessica Chastain and Tovah Feldshuh.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/03/2023
UPC:	0191329159354
Original Release:	2022
Rating:	R
Source:	Universal Studios
Language:	English
Sales rank:	40,999

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Anne Hathaway	Esther Graff
Jeremy Strong	Irving Graff
Banks Repeta	Paul Graff
Jaylin Webb	Johnny Davis
Anthony Hopkins	Grandpa Aaron Rabinowitz
Ryan Sell	Ted Graff
Andrew Polk	Mr. Turkeltaub
Tovah Feldshuh	Grandma Mickey Rabinowitz
Marcia Haufrecht	Aunt Ruth
Teddy Coluca	Uncle Louis
Richard Bekins	Headmaster Fitzroy
Dane West	Topper Lowell
Landon James Forlenza	Chad Eastman
John Diehl	Fred Trump
Jessica Chastain	Maryanne Trump
Domenick Lombardozzi	Police Sergeant D'Arienzo
Lizbeth MacKay	Miss Boster
Jacob Mackinnon	Edgar Romanelli
Jeb Kreager	Cop
Marcia Jean Kurtz	Guide
Lauren Sharpe	Ms. Moustakas
John Dinello	Principal Sabell
Griffin Wallace Henkel	George Madison
Jen Weissenberg	Crazed Woman
Amy Warren	Woman One
Douglas Crosby	Cop One/Crazed Man
Eva Jette Putrello	Veronika Bronfman
Marjorie Johnson	Johnny's Grandmother

Technical Credits

James Gray

Francesco Civita	Executive Producer
James Gray	Director,Screenwriter,Producer
Gustavo Debs	Executive Producer
Beto Gauss	Executive Producer
Rodrigo Gutierrez	Executive Producer
Alex Hughes	Executive Producer
Marco Tulio Kehdi	Executive Producer
Riccardo Maddalosso	Executive Producer
Marc Butan	Producer
Anthony Katagas	Producer
Rodrigo Teixeira	Producer
Alan Terpins	Producer,Executive Producer
Lourenço Sant'anna	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

Armageddon Time, written and directed by James Gray (Ad Astra, The Lost City of Z), is based on his life experience growing up in Queens, New York. The movie follows the awakening of Paul Graff, played by Banks Repeta (The Black Phone), a sixth grader in New York. His experiences of joy, heartache and loss are chronicled in this 115-minute film. Living with his parents and brother, he is championed by his grandfather (Anthony Hopkins). Paul confesses to his parents that he wants to be an artist, and they tell him to pick something more stable. However, his encouraging grandfather buys him a set of paints. It's the 1980s and Paul goes to school and meets Johnny Davis (Jaylin Webb), who is repeating the sixth grade, picked on by his teachers and treated with prejudice. They become fast friends who get into plenty of trouble, so much so that Paul is transferred to a private school. When he arrives at the elitist school, he is met with strange encounters with the Trump family and the same prejudice that Johnny experienced at their former school. His family must help him navigate that in pursuing his dreams. Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs) gives a stellar performance as Paul's grandfather, the most layered character in the film. Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada) digs deeply to find strength as his mother and Jeremy Strong (Succession) gives a volatile performance as Paul's father. Repeta gives an emotionally charged portrayal throughout the film and Webb's fine acting adds to the story's texture, which makes the audience wish there were more of him in the movie. The movie is filled with powerhouse actors as if the audience is waiting to see which big star will appear on the screen next. Especially delicious is Jessica Chastain in an unannounced cameo role as Donald Trump's sister. Cinematographer Darius Khondji (Uncut Gems) has created such a nostalgic 1980s look that seems to have been filmed on 35mm print instead of digital. The recreation of gritty honesty that Gray's life story portrays can be felt through Khondji's lens. Costume designer Madeline Weeks (Amsterdam) transports us to the period, and casting director Douglas Aibel (The Grand Budapest Hotel) has a magical knack for bringing actors together in unexpected roles. The movie provides a lesson in right and wrong, and it is effective because it is grounded in the writer-director's experience. These same lessons make this moment a good time to see Armageddon Time.