Paper Tiger review: Adam Driver and Miles Teller star

Adam Driver and Miles Teller Star in James Gray’s New York Crime Thriller

Adam Driver and Miles Teller star as Jewish brothers Irwin and Gary Pearl in James Gray’s gritty 1980s New York City gangster thriller Paper Tiger. The feature-length drama follows the brothers as they navigate the dilapidated Brooklyn docks, where Gary involves Irwin in a business opportunity with a group of Russian immigrants operating an oil disposal enterprise.

Irwin Joins His Brother in a Dangerous Venture

Irwin works as a blue-collar worker while remaining tethered to his older brother, a retired police officer. When Gary arrives at the family home offering a lucrative venture, Irwin accepts without hesitation. The plot thickens when Irwin brings his two children to the industrial site during nighttime hours. The encounter alienates the Russian associates, initiating a high-stakes escape as the brothers attempt to evade organized crime figures.

James Gray Shifts to New York Underworld Setting

Director James Gray transitions to a New York underworld setting following previous projects that included an Amazon exploration drama, a psychological science-fiction film, and a coming-of-age feature. Paper Tiger examines how incoming waves of immigration altered the mechanics of organized crime in New York. Scarlett Johansson rounds out the core cast as Linda, Irwin’s wife.

Strong Pacing Falters in the Final Scenes

The feature runs on propulsive pacing for its first 90 minutes, driven by grainy cinematography and a heavy atmosphere of ticking clocks and machinery. Despite strong performances from the three lead actors, the film falters in its conclusion. The final scenes resort to standard made-for-TV tropes, undercutting an otherwise strong crime drama.

The Pearl Brothers Risk Everything to Get Rich

In Paper Tiger, Gary arrives at his brother’s family home bearing both gifts and a business opportunity, bringing the brothers into contact with fresh-off-the-boat Russians running an oil disposal business in the sepia-tinged city. The Pearl brothers operate as both rivals and co-dependents, willing to risk everything to get rich quick, while Linda is left to make hard decisions despite having her own problems to navigate.