Armageddon Time (2022)

Set in 1980 Queens, a young Jewish boy (Banks Repeta) from a middle class family is spoiled by his indulgent family. When he strikes up a friendship with a black schoolmate (Jaylin Webb), he begins to sense the race and class inequality in society. Written and directed by James Gray (AD ASTRA). After this and Spielberg's THE FABELMANS, I never want to see a period coming of age movie ever again ..... or at least for a very long time. The Spielberg was a major disappointment and this film is only marginally better. I found it pretty pointless but it had some strong performances, notably Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong as the parents and Anthony Hopkins as the grandfather. I had no empathy for Repeta's spoiled brat and almost broke out in applause when his father began beating him with a belt! I think a more interesting film might have been made if Gray had focused on the black schoolmate's character instead of Repeta's little monster. The film received positive reviews but audiences stayed away and who could blame them? With Jessica Chastain, Tovah Feldshuh, Marcia Jean Kurtz and Ryan Sell.