Review of Tape (2001) by Bobby B — 11 Mar 2010

Richard Linklater is one of my favorites (although I haven't seen his supposedly bad movies - like Fast Food Nation or Bad News Bears), and Tape only reinforces that. It's filmed on digital camera, with only three characters who talk in the same motel room for 90 minutes. Doesn't sound like the most exciting movie ever made, but Tape turns out to be completely engrossing and even thrilling. The script is intelligent and thought-provoking, and brought amazingly to life by the three actors. Ethan Hawke is a knockout playing a crazy, funny, vicious drug addict, while Robert Sean Leonard is equally convincing in a much quieter role. And although she doesn't show up until almost 2/3's of the way through, it's Uma Thurman who possibly makes the biggest impression - her character is the most mysterious of the three, but Thurman gives even her smallest gestures and lines a tremendous complexity and emotional weight. This is up there with her amazing performances in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.

Tape is a must-see for those who don't mind movies that are 100% dialogue. It seems to be one of Linklater's less seen and less talked-about movies, which is too bad - I personally haven't been able to get the movie out of my head in the few days since I've watched it.