Watch Paper Tiger

The movie Paper Tiger from 2020 is an independent drama directed and written by Paul Kowalski. The movie premiered at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and focuses on a family's struggle to come to terms with their past and present while trying to secure their future. The film stars Lydia Look, Alan Trong, Elaine Kao and many others.

The story revolves around a Chinese American family living in Los Angeles. The patriarch of the family, Richard (played by Alan Trong), is a former Kung Fu master who is struggling to come to terms with his past and the impact it has had on his life. His wife, Lily (played by Lydia Look), is a resilient but anxious woman who is struggling to keep the family together. The couple's daughter, Natalie (played by Elaine Kao), is a young artist trying to find her place in the world while dealing with the challenges of her own mental health issues.

The film begins with Richard and Lily's marriage on the rocks. Richard has just lost his job and is struggling to find a way to support his family. Meanwhile, Lily is doing her best to keep their small family together, but is constantly stressed out by their financial situation. As their relationship deteriorates, Lily becomes increasingly concerned about Natalie and her mental health. Natalie has been dealing with depression and anxiety for some time, and Lily worries that she is not getting the help she needs.

As the story unfolds, we see the family dealing with their own individual struggles. Richard is haunted by a violent incident from his past and is struggling to reconcile the man he was with the man he is today. Lily is desperately trying to keep the family together, while Natalie is dealing with the debilitating effects of her mental health issues. Along the way, the family must also face the challenges of living in a world that is often unkind to Asian Americans.

One of the strengths of Paper Tiger is its exploration of the Asian American experience. The film touches on issues of identity, representation and racism in a way that is both nuanced and heartfelt. The characters in the film are complex and well-written, and the performances by the actors are uniformly strong. Lydia Look is particularly affecting as Lily, a woman who is both tough and vulnerable in equal measure. Alan Trong also delivers a powerful performance as Richard, the tortured Kung Fu master who is struggling to come to terms with his past.

The movie costars are Alan Trong and Elaine Kao both deliver strong performances. Kao's portrayal of Natalie is particularly noteworthy, as she brings a great deal of sensitivity and nuance to the role. The supporting cast is also strong, with a number of character actors delivering memorable performances.

The film's production values are also impressive, particularly given its indie origins. The cinematography is striking, with LA's urban landscape providing a moody backdrop to the story. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, with a number of eclectic artists contributing songs that help to set the film's unique tone.

In summary, Paper Tiger is a powerful and affecting drama that explores the complexities of family, identity and mental health. The film is at times difficult to watch, but ultimately rewarding for anyone who is willing to invest in the characters and their stories. The film delivers an important message about the Asian American experience and is a testament to the talent and vision of its writer/director, Paul Kowalski.

Paper Tiger is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.