Paper Tiger Makes Its Case at NYFF Premiere: “A Labor of Love”
The evening marked a distinct shift for Brian T. Collins, who has spent years tied to the New York Film Festival as a director. His newest work, Paper Tiger, opened the festival at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and Artistic Director Dennis Lim described him “one of the great living American filmmakers” as he brought him to the stage. The presentation established the mood for the rest of the night: a friendly welcome, a packed house, and a cast featuring three Oscar nominees.
Neon is working to get Paper Tiger out later this year, and the NYFF premiere in New York is part of that effort. The film first appeared on the Croisette at Cannes, where it was warmly received. Since then, it has not been shown publicly. According to the Hollywood Reporter, which covered the event, the general impression surrounding the picture seems unlike anything in Gray’s earlier work.
Gray’s Return to the Festival
The festival ended with The Lost City of Z, and Gray celebrated its anniversary by showing Armageddon Time. Yet this particular screening stood apart, as he made clear in his heartfelt opening remarks. He spoke of his childhood, living just a short distance from the Upper West Side, and of telling his parents that he wished to work in film. Their doubtful response came back to him clearly: “How are you ever going to do that?”
Visibly taken aback, he turned his attention to the packed theater and remarked: “Well, here I am.”
The moment landed because it was honest. Gray’s career has produced consistently strong work, but he has yet to break into the Oscar race. After Lim’s comments about the film’s relaunch, the release of Paper Tiger feels overdue. The film’s fall launch is being framed as a return to form, and the NYFF premiere is part of that narrative.
The Film’s Critical Frame
The current environment makes it hard to produce personal, independent American films, Lim said. Earlier this month, he described Paper Tiger “miraculous” in conversation with The Hollywood Reporter. His framing stands out during a season marked by international directors and blockbuster hits.
The film stars Miles Teller and Adam Driver as Irwin and Gary Pearl, brothers in 1986 Queens, caught in a scheme that puts their family’s lives at risk. Gray’s tight screenplay weaves crime-thriller bones into textured family drama. The plot hinges on Irwin’s wife, Hester (Scarlett Johansson), who considers how best to protect her sons and ensure their future while contending with her own personal crisis.
Placing this film within the director’s career works well because it blends bold classical filmmaking with rich memoiristic undertones. At the NYFF premiere, a 35mm print was screened, and the core cast was present in person.
The Cast and Their Roles
Irwin’s point of view opens and closes the film, while Teller campaigns as its lead, joined by past Oscar nominees Driver and Johansson, who take supporting roles instead. The best-actor competition is likely too strong for Teller to break through, but the character-changing work of Driver and Johansson, both singled out for Paper Tiger, has drawn praise and could build on the NYFF buzz.
Johansson spoke warmly about the shoot during the post-screening Q&A. She described the conditions as challenging, but ultimately rewarding. “We were on such a small set… and also it was extremely hot, and when you have a group of actors hanging around with everybody on top of each other — honestly, that’s a labor of love,” she said. “You do it because you love to do it.”
She went on speaking, “You end up hanging out and talking and sharing stories and feeling closer…. You have to survive the day, and it’s hard making movies, and it’s very hard making movies [like this].”
The comments caught the feeling of the night. A premiere at this festival carries weight, and Gray delivered one with Paper Tiger. The film has come with the bells and whistles that usually pass a Gray movie by, and the NYFF premiere provided the stage.
The Road to the Oscars
The movie has not been shown to audiences since it opened in Cannes. It received strong praise on the Croisette, even though the jury failed to recognize the film — a habit that has repeatedly frustrated supporters of Gray’s work at the festival. Distributor Neon had been preparing the film to make a strong push with its autumn release.
That strategy includes the NYFF premiere, which adds to the film’s growing momentum and starts the Oscar conversation taking shape. Teller leads the film, but the supporting roles belong to two actors with proven track records.
For years, Driver has been a mainstay of the festival circuit. Johansson has received glowing reviews for the film, and her performance is being presented as a central element of the campaign. The NYFF premiere allows both performers to engage with audiences face to face, and the film’s autumn release will reveal whether the positive reaction turns into Academy interest.
The Reception in New York
The film’s North American premiere was warmly received, with the core cast present for the occasion, underscoring the significance of the project to the festival.
The classic look of the presentation was enhanced by the use of a 35mm print. The film blends bold classical filmmaking with rich memoiristic undertones, and it drew praise from Lim, who discussed the challenge of producing personal, independent American films today.
The film’s NYFF premiere drew a strong response, with the cast on hand and the audience engaged. The reception has set the stage for the fall launch, which now arrives with real momentum behind it.
The Fall Launch and Beyond
The film’s fall launch is the next step. Neon is pushing the release, and the NYFF premiere has provided a boost. The Oscar conversation is starting to take shape, and the film’s critical acclaim is part of that conversation.
The premiere at the festival was a declaration, and it earned a favorable reception. This particular film has built momentum that usually escapes a Gray project, and the autumn release will settle whether that energy holds up. The field for the awards is crowded, yet the film possesses the qualities needed to compete.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| World premiere | Cannes | — |
| NYFF premiere | Friday evening | Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center |
| Fall launch | Coming soon | — |
The fall launch is now on track after a successful NYFF premiere. The Oscar race looms ahead as the true measure of success, yet the film’s momentum has already begun to build.
The movie’s autumn release is on the horizon, and the Academy talk is beginning to form. Its New York Film Festival debut went well, setting the stage for the fall rollout.
The film’s New York Film Festival premiere carried real weight, and it now arrives with genuine warmth and drive behind it. Whether the Academy race ultimately proves to be its true test remains to be seen, but the movie already possesses all the qualities needed to win it.
Source material: “‘Paper Tiger’ Makes Its Case at NYFF Premiere: “A Labor of Love”,” The Hollywood Reporter.
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