James Gray’s Paper Tiger achieves a visual spectacle with its rich 1986 aesthetic and charm. Obvious influences include The Godfather and The Sopranos, spun with Gray’s own unique storytelling signatures. The writer/director leans into delivering a compelling character study steeped in an organic feel and texture. Filmed on 35mm using the same lenses as those in The Godfather, the intimate film merely tips its hat to its roots. It worms its way into the long lineage of crime-dramas while emerging as a unique glimpse into a typical American family trying to climb out of mediocrity. It carries a deeply personal tone and universal appeal without sacrificing its blend of gritty Americana and hyper-stylized polish.
Irwin (Miles Teller) wants to do right by his family. He works hard; he loves his wife Hester (Scarlett Johansson) and his kids; but he finds himself wandering aimlessly through his life. His brother Gary (Adam Driver) excels in every part of his life and has down quite well for himself. Irwin yearns to hit it big and give his family everything they’ve ever desired. When Gary comes to Irwin with a business proposition, it all seems too good to be true. And maybe it is. The endeavor promises to be rather lucrative, and it’s exactly what Irwin has been searching for. This could change everything.
An engineer by trade, Irwin serves as the lead on safety measures and local ordinances for a burgeoning new business. But a misguided late night trip to the site with his two sons leads to Irwin becoming the target of the Russian mafia. One wrong decision leads to a chaotic and dangerous tale about perseverance, retaliation, patience, and doing the best for your loved ones. It’s only a matter of time before mysterious armed men show up on Irwin’s doorstep, testing his limits between right and wrong and what he’d do to save his family.
Johansson and Teller enrich Paper Tiger with grounded and raw performances that feel ripped out of a Thorton Wilder play. Driver equally rises to the occasion, adeptly sliding from beat to beat with precision but also fluidity. There’s a power he discovers that electrifies the screen. He’s honest, and that means more than anything else. James Gray erects a world where the stakes are so incredibly high that the misery the characters face leaps right off the screen. A subplot around Hester goes unresolved in numerous ways, but that slice-of-life approach gives Paper Tiger even more authenticity. It captures a singular moment in time before fracturing off into another one right after the credits roll.
James Gray’s Paper Tiger emerges as a somber storytelling piece with a rattling core. When it detonates mid-way through, it’s full throttle until the end. The characters radiate desperation, and in their attempts to break free, they run around in circles. Their best efforts are nothing more than doing the same things and expecting different results. However, it ultimately leads to a stunning revelation about family and honest living.
