Adam Driver Is All Tragic Grandeur in Paper Tiger

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Filmmaker James Gray often explores intense relationships between brothers in his movies, portraying them with a grand, almost Shakespearean scale. In Little Odessa, a hitman can’t resist involving his younger brother in his dangerous life, as if it’s a consequence of his own actions. We Own the Night features brothers on opposite sides of the law – one running a nightclub drug operation, the other a police officer – who are forced to unite after an act of violence. Gray’s latest film, Paper Tiger, continues this theme, focusing on Irwin and Gary Pearl, brothers attempting to launch a business despite their differing lifestyles. Irwin is a stable family man and engineer, living in Queens with his wife, Hester, and their sons, while Gary views him as somewhat detached from the more exciting side of life. Hester, however, dreams of a move to Great Neck.

Gary thrives in the city, dressed in sharp suits and driving a Mercedes. He’s a divorced ex-police officer who now uses his contacts for well-paying, though ethically questionable, jobs. While his work isn’t outright illegal, it definitely exists in a moral gray area. He might be more pragmatic than his brother Irwin, but the story shows that neither Pearl brother truly grasps how much things are changing. Gary sees a chance to profit from the cleanup of the polluted Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, now that the Mafia’s influence there is waning. Irwin, on the other hand, envisions a positive outcome for the project, excitedly telling his children that the rundown industrial area will eventually become valuable property – a prediction that, while accurate, will take longer to realize than he thinks.

Okay, so the movie’s set in 1986 New York, and things are getting really rough with crime on the rise. The old Italian mob is losing its grip, and these new Russian guys are moving in – and let me tell you, they’re way more dangerous than anyone realizes, even Gary, who thinks he’s pretty street smart. The director keeps revisiting similar themes – family, the Russian mob, 80s New York – and it feels like he’s trying different combinations of the same ideas, searching for that perfect film he has in mind. It’s not quite his masterpiece, but Paper Tiger is a really gripping drama. It all starts with a seemingly innocent mistake by Irwin, which sets off a chain reaction that ultimately destroys a family. He makes an unexpected visit to a company Gary’s trying to work with, and that’s when things go south. Irwin catches the eye of the real boss, a seriously intimidating guy named Simeon Bogoyavich from Brighton Beach, played by Victor Ptak.

The film quickly descends into a masterfully unsettling atmosphere, becoming a deeply anxious experience as the characters desperately try to protect each other through deception. Despite his brooding reputation, Driver’s character, Gary, is surprisingly flamboyant, maintaining a showy confidence that suggests he wants to appear capable and important. This is immediately evident when he arrives with a delivery order from the renowned Peter Luger steakhouse – a very specific and boastful display. However, as we learn more about him outside of his family, it becomes clear that this entire persona is for his brother, Irwin. Gary is desperate to be seen as a hero, someone who can solve problems with grand gestures – like securing a rare steak or offering large sums of money – and lead them all to a better life reminiscent of the glamorous 1980s.

Both Driver and Johansson deliver powerful performances in Paper Tiger. Driver expertly portrays deep emotional pain, while Johansson shines in a more understated but equally impactful role that sees her character face a health crisis and re-evaluate her life. Initially, Irwin appears to be the film’s central figure – a well-meaning man who believes in hard work and providing for his family, and who seems destined for trouble. However, he evolves into an even more tragic character – one whose genuine nature needs shielding, as if his beliefs are so delicate they can’t withstand the harshness of the world around him.

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2026-05-17 17:55