Paper Tiger at Cannes: Gray's Thriller Wins Atmosphere Over Plausibility
Paper Tiger at Cannes: Gray's Thriller Wins Atmosphere Over Plausibility
James Gray's Paper Tiger, starring Johansson, Driver, and Teller, premieres at Cannes, drawing praise for mood and atmosphere even as critics question plausibility.
Cannes hosts the world premiere of Paper Tiger, James Gray's new thriller starring Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, and Miles Teller. Set in 1960s Queens, the film follows two brothers tangled with the Russian mob, a setup Gray uses to stage a mood-drenched, fate-haunted drama.
Early reviews highlight Gray's ambition to conjure a Lumet-like Greek tragedy, with scene-by-scene skill on display and a strong sense of atmosphere that lingers long after the credits. Yet observers also caution that the film sometimes leans toward the grandiose at the expense of plausible storytelling, leaving certain beats feeling more like striking tableaux than propelled suspense.
The cast anchors the drama with intensity, even as one major star remains notably absent from the Cannes festivities. Johansson was not on hand for the seven-minute standing ovation the film earned, due to scheduling with The Exorcist reboot. Driver and Teller, meanwhile, bring a restrained, taut energy that keeps the tension alive amid the film's stylistic flourishes.
At the premiere, the crowd rose in a lengthy ovation, signaling strong initial reception for Gray's confident mood and cinema-as-texture approach. Viewers will debate whether the atmosphere sustains the film's ambitious promises, but Paper Tiger is clear in delivering a stylish, mid-century crime drama that embraces tragedy over airtight plot logic.
In the end, Paper Tiger positions itself as a stylish melodrama that prioritizes mood and myth over immediate plausibility, a choice likely to polarize—yet captivate—fans of Gray’s signature sensibility and mid-century thrillers.
