"Tape" Review

Richard Linklater is a unique and underappreciated filmmaker who has produced some of the most distinctive films I’ve seen.  Dazed and Confused is an all-time favorite that is possibly the most re-watchable movie ever made.  The Before Sunrise trilogy weaves a dialogue-fueled tale unlike anything I have seen.  Boyhood, his latest effort, is a film for ages.  And Tape (2001), which I recently viewed for the first time, is a remarkable story-telling achievement.

Tape is a low-budget drama that takes place solely in a hotel room.  The film features only three characters on screen, one which doesn’t appear until the end.  Starring two future stars in Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, we are treated to complex characters that have been hardened by the harsh realities of their lives.

Ethan Hawke flexes his acting chops as 28 year-old drug dealer Vince, who needs to be in control of everything.  Reuniting with his high school pal/friend Jon, played by Robert Sean Leonard, the duo bickers about their current situations before revisiting a dark event from the past.  What Jon believed to be a joyful reunion turns to a potentially life-altering evening.

The narrative hits a breaking point when a third person arrives to the room, threatening both of the mens’ livelihoods.  Tape is a tale of morality, forgiveness, and friendship.  It touches on the fact that our motives are not always what we believe they are.

Dialogue and pacing are the film’s biggest strengths. Once the two main characters have been introduced, there is never a dull moment.  Linklater methodically builds tension through well-crafted conversations and continuous conflict.  His ability to transform three characters conversing in a hotel room into a gripping drama speaks volumes of the man’s ability.

My complaints about the movie are mostly visual-based.  The camera work is distracting at times, and the lighting is far from perfect.  But what do you expect from a film with a $100,000 budget?

Tape is very different from Linklater’s other work.  The tone is dark, and the story is heavy.  But if you appreciate good dialogue, great characters, and relentless tension, Tape is a worthwhile watch.

                       3/4 Stars