Movie: PAPER TIGER

     Rating: R, language and some violence

                         Length: 1:55

          Release Date: November 13, 2026

JEANNE: A hotshot former cop, Gary Pearl (Adam Driver) and his nerdy engineer brother, Irwin (Miles Teller), plan on making a killing --- pun intended --- by consulting with the “new” mafia --- the Russians in Queens, New York. Set in 1986, writer/director James Gray’s latest effort, PAPER TIGER, is a powerful and suspenseful thriller.

Irwin is married to Hester (Scarlett Johansson) and they have two sons, Scott (Gavin Goudey), and Benjamin (Roman Engel), who are in high school. He runs a modestly successful business, but he is concerned about college expenses when Scott goes off to school next year. So, when Gary suggests they start working together to make big bucks, Irwin jumps at the chance.

Hester, however, is not thrilled with this new prospect, especially when Irwin wants his sons to accompany him to his new work site late on a school night. Once there, Irwin leaves the boys in the car while he goes to check on a possible dangerous issue. He sees something he is definitely not supposed to --- and the Russians pounce.

Not only is he threatened with bodily harm, but Scott and Benjamin, as well. As tensions escalate and Irwin’s family is now in the crosshairs, Gary tries to use his swagger --- and former police connections --- to eliminate the threats.

Gray’s screenplay is extremely well written and electrifying. He gives his actors a great deal of leeway with their performances and the result is outstanding. Driver, Teller and Johansson have never been better. Each brings her/his own bravado to their roles while playing out the secrets and lies Gray has so deliciously devised.

And I was particularly impressed with Engel and Goudey. The scene in the car with the Russian thugs and the two brothers is incredibly fraught with danger. Both young actors are completely riveting.

The title PAPER TIGER is taken from the Russians who use it to describe someone or something as formidable, when literally they are nothing. The Communists always referred to The West as a “Paper Tiger”. And in Gray’s film, Gary tells Irwin that the Russians are Paper Tigers --- which, as we find out, they are not.

My only complaint about PAPER TIGER is the ending. Gray chooses to leave much of it up to the audience, but its abruptness is unsettling. Still, he has crafted a solid thriller with remarkable performances from the entire cast.

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!

DAVID: PAPER TIGER is a film that is dripping with suspense from the very beginning. Written and directed by James Gray, and based on his own family experience, the three central characters are brothers Gary and Irwin Pearl, and Irwin’s wife Hester. Adam Driver portrays Gary, the older brother, Miles Teller plays Irwin, and Scarlett Johansson is Hester. The stars all deliver stellar performances.

The gist of the story involves Gary’s desire for money to help offset the costs of a divorce. Irwin has a business that is successful but with his oldest son about to enter college, he and Hester are worried about money. So, Gary comes up with a scheme to be consultants to a group of Russians --- the new mafia. Irwin accepts Gary’s proposal to form the business, while Hester wants nothing to do with Gary’s idea.

The boys are marvelously played by Gavin Goudey as Scott and Roman Engel as Benjamin. While Irwin is being beaten by a few Russian thugs, two others find his sons parked in the family car and threaten Benjamin at knifepoint. As things begin to go south with the Russians, despite Gary’s assurances that everything will work out, the entire family is threatened. Gary and Irwin, despite their mutual love, have a serious falling out as Gary’s plan is unraveling.

Driver, Teller and Johansson are all compelling. And this is not the glamorous Scarlett Johansson we’ve all come to expect. Her long blonde locks are replaced by a short curly wig. As the mother of two growing boys, Johannson acts like any mother concerned about her family. And Hester, no pushover, has two explosive scenes with her husband, Irwin. Credit costume designer Amy Roth for the transformation.

If you’re wondering about the movie’s title, Gray offers his explanation. He called his film PAPER TIGER because Russian Communists considered The West, despite presenting itself as formidable, as nothing of concern for the Russians.

PAPER TIGER --- no hyperbole --- manages to create Hitchcockian-level suspense. The film has a rather abrupt ending which will surely be controversial. But isn’t that part of the fun of movies?

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!