I believe that the title of this film is poorly chosen. The word “Armageddon” stands for the final or conclusive battle between good and evil. The film does reflect how each person exhibits good and evil at some times during their lifetimes. At no time in the film is a conclusive battle exhibited.
Armageddon Time has been described by some as a dour and heavy-handed American family portrait film. There are times when this film feels absolutely real and lived and then we get an obviously contrived scene. The story is told through the eyes of 11 year old Paul, a Jewish boy growing up in middle class New York. At its heart, though, Armageddon Time is about Paul and his Black friend Johnny’s friendship and how that friendship sadly changes. The message in the film is “Paul can get out of here, but Johnny can’t.” Is this too stereotypical?
This is a constant theme in Armageddon Time, –the struggles of a people- be it the Jews or the Blacks–against the prejudices of white supremecy. The film sometimes contradicts itself such as when Paul’s grandfather emphasizes that when kids in Paul’s new school make bad comments about Blacks, Paul must speak up yet when Paul’s father exhibits the same racism in softer language it is washed over. Accompanying the racism and white supremacy portrayed in the film is anti-semitism, class distinctions and assimilation struggles. All were highly existent in America in the 80’s just as they were in Europe in the times of Paul’s grandparents and great-grandparents. We are left to determine if any progress has actually been made since then.
Anthony Hopkins is excellent as the loving grandfather. Although I wanted to scream at Anne Hathaway’s character she did a great job portraying a woman consistently put down. The sets perfectly depicted the times.
All in all, although this film made me uncomfortable and could have used a stronger lead, it probably accomplishes its goal. Other films have done a better job of depicting the same times.
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