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Tape

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Tape (2001)

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Reviews Counted:89

Fresh:68

Rotten:21

Average Rating:6.7/10

Consensus: Taking place in a hotel room, Tape has the feel of a play, but its engrossing psychodrama allows its stars to shine.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language and drug content

Runtime: 89 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Nov 2, 2001 Limited

Synopsis: Richard Linklater, known for directing films that take place over a one-day period (SLACKER, DAZED AND CONFUSED, BEFORE SUNRISE), magnifies that concept even further with TAPE. Adapted from the... Richard Linklater, known for directing films that take place over a one-day period (SLACKER, DAZED AND CONFUSED, BEFORE SUNRISE), magnifies that concept even further with TAPE. Adapted from the Stephen Belber play, TAPE takes place in a Lansing, Michigan hotel room, where two old friends reunite ten years after graduation. Vince (Ethan Hawke), a lackadaisical fire fighter who pays the rent by selling pot, and John (Robert Sean Leonard), a self-assured filmmaker whose debut feature is set to screen at the Lansing Film Festival, greet each other with smiles and hugs. But as their conversation becomes more personal, Vince brings up an old grudge from the past, which confounds John. Vince is convinced that on the night before graduation, John date-raped his ex-girlfriend, Amy (Uma Thurman), and he won't rest until John tells him what really happened. Eventually, John admits the truth, evoking a shocking response from Vince. John must finally confront the demons from his past. When Amy arrives at the hotel room and joins the old friends, she detonates the explosive situation, accusing both Vince and John of being selfish, heartless cowards, which they actually are. Shot on digital video all in one location, TAPE is a character study that features strong performances by all three leads. [More]

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Robert Sean Leonard

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Robert Sean Leonard

Director: Richard Linklater

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Anne Walker-McBay, John Sloss, Gary Winick, Alexis Alexanian
Studio: Lions Gate Films

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Release:

Apr 16, 2002

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Reviews for Tape

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1 - 20 (sorted by source)
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Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
06/04/02
Scott Renshaw
Scott Renshaw
Apollo Guide
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
06/19/02
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Smart, playful, disturbing, and most of all alive.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
11/18/01
Marc Savlov
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle

Engrossing and dynamic viewing thanks to convincing dialogue and lively acting, most notably from Hawke.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
07/09/02
Laura Bushell
Laura Bushell
BBC

Tape is smart, unpredictable, and alive with the energies of actors who clearly are enjoying being stretched by their material.

comment Comment
11/16/01
Jay Carr
Jay Carr
Boston Globe
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A refreshing acting exercise for both the actors and the audience that works because of the freedom digital video extends.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
10/24/01
Annlee Ellingson
Annlee Ellingson
Boxoffice Magazine

Tape made me believe that its events could happen to real people more or less as they appear on the screen, and that is its most difficult accomplishment.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
11/16/01
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

Linklater is testing the boundaries of what can be done with digital video, thematically as well as visually.

Full Review Source: Cinematic Reflections | comment Comment
04/23/05
Derek Smith
Derek Smith
Cinematic Reflections

Sympathetic audiences will find themselves caught up in the emotional reunion -- and laughing awkwardly at surprising moments.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
11/02/01
Marc Weidenbaum
Marc Weidenbaum
Citysearch

The banter isn't sharp enough to drive the story, and Linklater's lack of visual elegance is a major hindrance.

Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
11/02/01
Paul Tatara
Paul Tatara
CNN.com

Though I admired the idea behind the film, the execution, and the performances, the material doesn't seem to add up to anything.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Intermittently involving but lacking in wit, style and variety.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
10/12/01
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Critical Eye | comment Comment
01/24/04
Mark Freeman
Mark Freeman
Critical Eye

The murky visuals are an apt match for the squalid setting and narrative ambiguities.

Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
11/14/01
Scott Von Doviak
Scott Von Doviak
culturevulture.net
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
12/15/03
Christopher Tookey
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

It's for anyone who appreciates the bitter erosion of friendship and the one-upmanship and mind games bred by festering antagonism.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
11/16/01
Chris Vognar
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A failed experiment with arresting moments.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
12/07/01
Steven Rosen
Steven Rosen
Denver Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's the cast's film to sink or swim, and for the most part, it's the latter.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
12/28/01
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

The cast ... uses this room with a view to get the best out of the spontaneous epiphanies and strangely affecting and witty dialogue.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
11/02/01
E! Online
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by source)
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More...

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