In 2022 James Gray—an American filmmaker who plays better in Europe than he does at home, even though he has made some banger films like Little Odessa, We Own the Night, and Ad Astra—made a coming-of-age drama inspired by his own childhood called Armageddon Time. It stars Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong as characters based on Gray’s parents, and Anthony Hopkins as his cinematic stand-in grandfather. The film is thorny and challenging, and its commercial appeal reflected that, but nonetheless, Gray is pressing ahead with a sort-of sequel, currently titled Paper Tiger. This time around, Gray’s stand-in parents are played by Miles Teller and Scarlett Johansson, who were seen on set alongside Gray and their co-star, Adam Driver. It’s a Marriage Story reunion!
Gray talked about making a sequel focusing on Esther Graff, the mother played by Anne Hathaway, back when Armageddon Time was rolling out. However, timing didn’t work out for Hathaway or Jeremy Strong, and so now Esther is played by ScarJo and Irving Graff is played by Miles Teller. Anne Hathaway to ScarJo feels like a lateral move, they’re similarly capable actors, though Hathaway plays histrionics better than ScarJo. But Jeremy Strong to Miles Teller? THEE Jeremy Strong to Miles TELLER? Jeremy “Colorful Suits Are My Bliss” Strong to Miles “You Liked It When You Thought Glen Powell Was Going To Kiss Me In Top Gun” Teller?
Downgrade.
Jeremy Strong to Adam Driver I could see. Again, complementary actors. Strong and Driver exist on the same plane. But Miles Teller? He only THINKS he exists on that plane. Which is not to say he’s a bad actor, technically speaking, he’s not. But he’s best as the kind of oily characters you like rooting against. Which maybe makes sense here, as James Gray’s dad landed in serious legal trouble, which is partly what Paper Tiger is about. But Adam Driver can be that kind of character, too, and between them, I’d rather watch Driver any day of the week.
But Teller does look natural in the styles of the 70s and 80s (Paper Tiger is set around the late 80s/early 90s). He does not have what the kids call “iPhone face”, meaning actors who look like they’ve seen an iPhone, and thus look too modern for period parts. To be fair, Adam Driver doesn’t have iPhone face either. Anyway, I am always interested in what James Gray is up to, and I am here for Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver reuniting. I could take or leave Miles Teller.
