Scarlett Johansson, Miles Teller, and 'Ferrari' star's crime drama sets release date
Adam Driver and Miles Teller play brothers pulled into a deal with the Russian mafia in James Gray's 'Paper Tiger.' The film's first trailer shows their plan beginning to fall apart as the consequences reach Teller's character's wife and children. Scarlett Johansson plays his wife, Hester, while Driver plays Gary, the former police officer who brings his brother into the scheme. The footage keeps the focus on the family's growing fear as the brothers try to find a way out.
Deadline reported that Neon will give 'Paper Tiger' a limited theatrical release on November 13. Before that, the film will make its North American premiere as the opening-night selection of the 64th New York Film Festival on September 25. It had its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The film received a 10-minute standing ovation after its Cannes premiere.
The film takes place in Queens in 1986. Teller plays Irwin, an engineer and family man, while Driver plays Gary, his brother and a former police officer. Neon's official synopsis reads, "In James Gray’s deeply felt and intense drama, two brothers become entangled in a scheme that turns out to be too good to be true. As they try to navigate their way through the dangerous world of the Russian mafia, family bonds begin to fray with life-altering consequences."
The trailer offers a closer look at the threat facing the family. Gary tells Irwin, "They're not going to touch me," but Irwin replies, "What about me? They could touch me." Hester later questions whether she and the couple's children are safe, while Irwin insists that he can protect them. The exchange highlights the contrast between Gary's confidence in his police background and Irwin's concern for the family.
Gray said that the story is loosely based on his own family's encounter with the Russian mafia in New York City during the '80s. 'Paper Tiger' also reunites Driver and Johansson for the first time since 'Marriage Story,' which was released in 2019. Both actors received Academy Award nominations for their performances in that film.
Johansson told The Hollywood Reporter in May that she wanted more scenes with Driver in their latest project. "I would've loved to have had even more scenework with him, I love working with him. He’s so unexpectedly tender. I went away for a couple of weeks to do the press for 'Jurassic' — I felt crazy to leave, but I had to go — and when I was gone, I’d get photographs of my makeup station from Miles and he’d be like, ‘Where’s Hester?’,” she said.
Teller also told IndieWire in May why he connected with Irwin, saying, "I felt immensely for this father and husband. It was clear he loves his kids, and he’s trying to lead by example, and to show them that success in life is not based on the car you drive. He wants to show them that you can build something on your own merit, and if you work hard and treat people right, that you can earn it." The film will release during awards season after its festival stops in Cannes and New York.
