Zeiten des Umbruchs

James Gray really can write psychologically and morally complex characters better than the vast majority of filmmakers working today. The central family portrayed in his latest film showcases this.

The people in Gray's 1980 New York are all remarkably flawed with objectionable traits and tendencies, yet they have tangible human qualities that make watching them a constantly riveting experience. They struggle to live and love and Gray gives them all little satisfying moments to grow.

As for the performances, they're equally awe-inspiring, especially Anne Hathaway and Anthony Hopkins. But the young boy, Banks Repeta, is also a standout and manages to carry most of the film on his own.

Plot-wise, however, the film is seriously lacking in momentum and substance. There really is no inviting incident nor is there even a real central conflict in the film; just small subplots that begin and sometimes come to an end over the course of the movie.

The lack of tangible pacing and progress makes the story's conclusion feel a bit hollow and empty, but the journey itself is packed with little rewarding moments and powerful scenes that make the overall experience a mostly satisfying one.

A dull and boring film which ended with me thinking "what was the point" and what a waste of time. A complete mystery as to what was the story and more importantly what was the moral of the story. Even Anthony Hopkins could not save this film. I kept on waiting for the wisdom of Hopkins' character to be revealed and passed on to his grandson given his obliquely alluded to family history of terror during the Second World War at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust. All Hopkins' character could come up with was a single reference to "be a mensch". We had to put up with two extremely annoying adolescents.

Thia is the only idea that caught my attention in this film.

Being a thirteen or so young boy with a caring full family that loves you, and protects you, this is a privilege.

But no boy at that age is going to realise it despite all the trouble he seems to adore.

I actually hoped the film will focus on the idea of art at that time and originality, but apparently they had other plans.

I think the film discussed and focused at that period of time as a whole and its after effects on the new generation of young boys. Honestly, i didn't feel connected to the boy. I wasn't engaged.

Other than all that, the acting was very good and Sir Anthony Hopkins is always nice to see.

Didn't really know what the movie was about heading in, but even so the opening sequence was confusing and that feeling persists throughout as the narrative is somewhat chaotic, but this is the result of the movie being shown from a child's point of view. The movie seems like an authentic family experience, and for the most part I didn't really know what the purpose is or what it was leading to but still enjoyed it. A film that's massively elevated by the cast's performances.

The kids can get annoying at times as kids do but the movie let's you relate to them and feel their emotions. It has a few very uncomfortable scenes and has a constant piteous feel after the first act or so. We're just witnessing a family's life, so there's no actual story to it and narration feels off because life isn't always linear or follows a path. This will definitely put some people off.

The acting is superb, especially from the kids who're the lead roles and able to convey their emotion across; Anthony Hopkins and Anne Hathaway were amazing despite being only in supporting roles, felt like watching real people in real life not in a movie. Jessica Chastain was a surprise, she seemed off but I also think that's how her character was meant to be portrayed. It's just unfortunate such great performances had no story for them to hold together. The movie just feels like childhood memories to me all jumbled up.

It's not a movie for everyone and I hesitate to call it perfect nor recommend it but it is beautiful and the performances alone make this a worthy watch. The story wasn't much to behold, but I'll remember this for the heart rending feel it gave. I am still confused as to where the movie titled came from.

You've seen it many times before, watching other people grow up's such a chore, we've all been adolescent, distracted and pubescent, it's a boring set of takes and you will snore. Perhaps if it had something new to say, portrayed a family more uniquely in their way, a novel circumstance, to catch your eye, a second glance, not monotony of children in their play. If you make it to the end you might just wonder, why fine actors chose to loot your time and plunder, must be quite a fallow year, to want to make this and appear, in something that's so dull, it makes you want to slumber.

Although it also makes you wonder whether an aging Welshman is the only person who could have filled that specific role.