The American Dream, James Gray-style.
Paper Tiger tells the story of two brothers, Gary and Irwin. Irwin is an engineer with two sons and a loving wife, Hester. He has a pretty decent, simple life by 1980s standards. He's a family man, just your average, everyday guy. His older brother Gary, on the other hand, is a former police officer, eccentric, energetic, and always up for some trouble and adventure. One day, Gary comes up with a business idea involving a project to clean up the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. The project seems like such a great opportunity, potentially even a very profitable one, that he offers Irwin the chance to become his business partner. Irwin is equally inspired by the possibility of finally doing something big with his life and providing even more for his family. However, things take an unexpected turn when the brothers find themselves dealing with the Russian mob operating out of Brighton Beach. Irwin even witnesses a crime, which brings trouble down on the entire family, including his wife and children, as they begin receiving threats. This gradually turns into a full-blown thriller, with some very real and serious danger that Gary, the man who started it all, now has to deal with.
Paper Tiger is yet another James Gray story about the trials and tribulations of the American Dream. And given how familiar this territory is to him, the whole thing looks rather fashionable. It's a beautifully shot film with a great atmosphere, fairly straightforward storytelling, logical plot development, and a genuinely great final third act that, frankly, is worth the entire viewing experience.
Because despite the fact that pretty much everything on paper seems to work here, and everything is done rather correctly, the film occasionally feels a little limited in its own scope and perhaps a bit too straightforward. You're watching a very logical, easy-to-follow story, with everything neatly laid out in different acts and conclusions that don't particularly make you stop and think. So, while James Gray the director does a really great job, perhaps James Gray the screenwriter could have pushed things a little further and been a bit bolder.
What the film certainly has in abundance, though, is acting talent. The main trio of Adam Driver, Miles Teller, and Scarlett Johansson absolutely delivers. I was particularly interested in seeing Miles Teller in this kind of role, playing a very typical 1980s dad, and he does an excellent job. But, of course, the real gem of the film is Adam Driver, which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. He does a fantastic job portraying this unconventional, multifaceted, awkward, and occasionally strange man who remains true to himself and his family, even when he has to make all sorts of difficult decisions to protect and save them.
Ultimately, Paper Tiger is a very proper, pleasant, and perfectly decent film, but not an outstanding one for James Gray. It's absolutely worth seeing in a cinema, although it might not leave you with particularly lasting impressions.
7/10
