Click to read the article
Tape (2001)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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.
Runtime: 89 mins
Genre: Dramas
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
Reviews for Tape
Unlike some other filmed plays, this one contains dialogue that sounds realistic.
The actors show great chemistry, reveling in the dialogue as they inspire each other to greater heights.
As the film progresses and voices are raised the audience is dealt a very interesting and compelling film.
The actors do justice to this potent and insightful script, filling the screen with explosive energy.
It makes up for its low cost and minimal set (a single hotel room) with searing emotional intensity.
Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, and Uma Thurman all turn in very solid performances.
When all is said and done, it is still a filmed play, but compelling all the same
Isn't anybody else bothered by the fact that these digital 'films' look like used toilet paper?
If Tape's claustrophobia doesn't get to you, and if you've got the intestinal fortitude to spend nearly 90 minutes in intimate proximity with two equally unlikeable guys, the movie does exert a certain propulsive fascination.
For a movie set completely inside a dingy motel room, Tape is a thrilling piece of experimental cinema.
For the most part, Tape is smart and deftly executed, with Hawke, in particular, as the resentful Vince, making a vivid impression.
Worth watching, even if it never transcends its self-imposed limitations.
Latest News for Tape
July 06, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Dead Man's Chest" Is Overstuffed; "Scanner" Shines Darkly
This week at the movies, we've got pirates back for more box office bounty ("Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest") and a journey to the center of the mind... More...
July 21, 2005:
Critical Consensus: Critics Do the "Hustle," Escape "Island" and "Bears"
This week's wide releases share a theme of Escape. Escape from The Game, escape from the bottom of the Little League standings, escape from a futuristic Philip K. Dick-esque... More...
March 29, 2005:
Howard & Grazer Snag Another "Power" Pitch
The always-busy team of director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer have just snagged the rights to yet another project they really dig. This one's called "The Power of... More...
March 03, 2005:
Universal Wins Heated "Duff" Battle; No, Not THAT "Duff"
More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

