Despite what I’m hearing has been a lukewarm reaction to James Gray’s “Armageddon Time,” the L.A. test-screening that occurred on Tuesday night was obviously not filled with Gray’s cabal of fans. These people (his diehards) are intensely devoted to the church of Gray.
I’ve loved several of his movies, especially “Lost City of Z,” and “Two Lovers,” but the Brooklyn-born filmmaker has always been hit-and-miss. With that being said, there is no reason to be worried just yet with “Armageddon Time,” Gray is a filmmaker for acquired tastes and his films, not to mention the classicist style he tends to use, will always be divisive.
All of this to say, I received this morning a 10-word email review from a West Coast based screenwriter who attended Tuesday’s screening. He likes Gray, but clearly didn’t like the movie.
“Licorice Pizza directed like Godfather 2. Probably my least favorite of his films.”
Funny.