James Gray’s Armageddon Time is a coming-of-age story about a young boy, Paul Graff, who is wonderfully played by 15-year-old Banks Repeta. The plotline follows Paul who grows up listening to stories by his grandfather, played by Anthony Hopkins.
Armageddon Time Plot
The movie features an all-star cast including Anthony Hopkins, Jeremy Strong, and Anne Hathaway. The plotline revolves around the strength of a Jewish-American family and a young boy’s pursuit of the American dream. Banks Repta plays the role of Paul Graff, a young boy who is close to his grandfather who supports his ambition of becoming an artist. Paul goes to a public school, while his elder brother, Ted studies in a private school. He befriends an African-American kid in his class named Johnny, who has repeated the sixth-grade several times and is known for troubling the teachers. Paul and Johnny’s friendship causes the teachers to believe that Paul is no good either.
Both Paul and Johnny find comfort in each other and wish to follow a passion that is different from their other classmates. Johnny wishes to become an astronaut, whereas Paul wants to be an artist. However, Paul’s parents believe that having a stable job and earning a decent salary is the right passion for him. Their school organises a school trip which requires the children to pay a fee. Paul is able to afford the fee for the trip but Johnny cannot afford it. Paul offers to pay Johnny’s fee but they bunk the trip and decide to roam the city instead.
On their outing, people from Johnny’s community question him for hanging out with Paul and they head home. While the war on racism is over, there are a lot of people who still consider that People of Color should not mingle with white folks. Paul notices these prejudices and understands why Johnny is treated differently than him by the others. One day, Paul and Johnny are caught smoking cannabis in school. Although Paul was unaware that cannabis is illegal, he is expelled from the school. His father, Irving Graff is furious and beats him with a belt for smoking which leaves him shaken. Paul’s mother, Esther Graff, approves of the punishment he receives from his father.
Paul is eventually sent to a private school, Forest Manor, against his will. He speaks with his grandfather, Aaron, who tells him the story about his past. His grandfather tells him how his parents faced anti-Semitic discrimination before they finally moves to New York. He also teaches him that such discrimination still persists and he should learn to stand against these prejudices. Meanwhile, Johnny leaves the school as well. At Forest Manor, Paul is moved by a speech given by the school beneficiary’s daughter about working hard to earn success in life.
Armageddon Time Ending Explained
Paul meets Johnny outside his school who tells him that he’s running away from the authorities who will put him in a foster home since his grandmother is really sick. Johnny notices that Paul seems uncomfortable talking to him as his classmates are staring at them, and decides to walk away. He hears his classmates use derogatory and racist terms to address Johnny which puts him in a dilemma whether he should fight them or remain silent.
He meets his grandfather and asks him what should he do in situations like this. Aaron tells him that he and his parents faced a lot of racism and no one ever stood up for them. He teaches Paul to stand up for people who need help. Aaron eventually dies due to bone cancer but his words stay with Paul.
When Paul decides to steal the school’s computer to sell it and make money, he is thinking of using the money to move to Florida with Johnny. He believes that he and Johnny can have a better life outside New York. However, they’re caught and arrested by the Police. Johnny takes the blame for the robbery and Paul is let go which perplexes him. His father, Irving takes him home from the police station and tells him that it is okay to rebel but he can’t save everybody, he’s just a kid. Paul thinks about his father’s words and realizes he actually can’t make much of a difference, after all.
Finally, we see Paul at Forest Manor attending a speech by an influential businessman, Fred Trump about following American ideals. Paul decides to silently walk away from the assembly in protest as a symbol of disagreement with such ideals. He remembers the lessons his grandfather and father taught him and decide to shape his life in his own way.
Armageddon Time shows the reality of how racism continues to exist in our societies even though people might think the fight is over. It stresses the idea that systematic racism and discrimination exist whether it is happening to you or not. It also sheds light on the fact that people need to bring the change to see the change. No matter how big or small your role may be, if you do not stand against the oppressors, you are standing with them in other ways.
Armageddon Time Reviews
The movie has a few flaws but is still captivating and moving in many ways. Here are some reviews shared by critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Armageddon Time is executed flawlessly, with all of the cast at the top of their game.”
Sumner Forbes, Film Threat
“Armageddon Time is the rare case where the bitterness overwhelms sweetness, and true enlightenment comes from rejecting nostalgia at every turn.”
Scott Tobias, The Reveal
“Despite the autobiographical story, Gray takes a tone that is more regretful than nostalgic, hammering home uncomfortable truths with intelligence and sensitivity.”
Max Copeman, Radio Times
“Preteen drama is amplified by robust and fairly obvious musical choices, but more interesting is the sound design: the city is everywhere, grumbling and fractious, the sound of a short fuse burning out.”
Wendy Ide, Observer (UK)
