Tape | Rotten Tomatoes

Tape

R

Released Nov 2, 2001

1h 23m

Drama

List

77%

Tomatometer

100 Reviews

76%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

A three-character ensemble piece set within the confines of a tawdry motor lodge in Lansing, Michigan. After 10 years apart, three disparate people come together to play out the unresolved drama of their final days in high school. Intrigued, we watch as layers of denial are slowly peeled away. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation. Mesmerized, we are drawn into their lives as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold.

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Critics Consensus

Tape's stagebound feel is balanced by the engrossing psychodrama of its storyline, which allows a committed cast to shine.

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

Three actors yakking in a single drab interior, shot on HD video: It's unlikely this poverty-program recipe has, or ever will again, yield results quite as entertaining as "Tape."

May 20, 2008

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

This makes good on that old Dogme promise by discarding the crutches of conventional movie drama and concentrating on the raw essentials of character and story.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

B. Ruby Rich

The Nation

It's a wonderfully tense tale, played out with humor and sarcasm.

Feb 25, 2020

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

The humor gives Tape a quirky edge, but the film falls flat whenever the dialogue drifts to allow for a theatrical set piece or joke rather than to further investigate the central dilemma.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 17, 2019

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Fascinating and engrossing character study with strong performances from the cast...

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

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Audience Member

99% of the budget went to the three actors. Linklater is clearly a very capable filmmaker but he (and his performers) strain their abilities here and the end result is certainly not stellar.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

david l

Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and Uma Thurman are all tremendous and perfectly cast in Tape, a drama that is so juicy and simply captivating to follow. It's a cheap, but immensely engaging film that deals with a complicated issue in a very intense, sophisticated manner. As a result, this is one of Linklater's greatest and most underrated directorial efforts.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One could I guess call this a very well crafted example of the "Dogma" style. It touches (among others) upon a delicate issue -that of sexual misconduct and its consequences- with great intelligence and elaboration, bringing to light the often oversimplified or ignored complexities of certain experiences in which even the meaning of the word "consent" becomes problematic, and in which the defense of the victims is finally another mask of selfish interests or unrelated frustrations. The acting is very intense and full of emotions. The atmosphere is that of a good theater play. Very recommended.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Tape is a good "movie in a single location" movie which focuses on dialogue to hold our sway. It's filmed in real time and the acting is solid from all involved- Ethan Hawke especially. Many critics have compared it to a play and it feels so. Richard Linklater is both an auteur and a risk taker- similar to Steven Soderberg and this is another film where he showcases his talent.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

scott m

Two guys want to meet an old girlfriend in a hotel room. The whole premise felt stupid and I didn't believe most of it. Good acting but I hated the story.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Though the cheap camerawork is unnecessary, the acting and pacing make this a surprising good story in real time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

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Richard Linklater

Director

Ethan Hawke

Vince

Robert Sean Leonard

Johnny

Uma Thurman

Amy

Stephen Belber

Screenwriter

Stephen Belber

Writer

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Synopsis

A three-character ensemble piece set within the confines of a tawdry motor lodge in Lansing, Michigan. After 10 years apart, three disparate people come together to play out the unresolved drama of their final days in high school. Intrigued, we watch as layers of denial are slowly peeled away. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation. Mesmerized, we are drawn into their lives as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold.

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Alexis Alexanian, Anne Walker-McBay, Gary Winick
Screenwriter: Stephen Belber, Stephen Belber
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: InDiGent Entertainment, Tape Productions Inc.
Rating: R (Language|Drug Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 2, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 6, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $490.5K
Runtime: 1h 23m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)