Review of Tape (2001) by Oli J — 20 Mar 2007

I agree with my friend Jay and his infamous 3 word review on this one. Talky, but riveting. It unravels slowly and I'm always amazed when a film can hold its audiences attention with only one set and few characters.

But Linklater is a genius. I can't remember the film crystal-clearly but I remember it having a red glow to it, and you never stepped outside the hotel room. That was the characters entire world and I can't even imagine wha was outside it.

I like Ethan Hawke in this too. Sometimes he's a bit too cool for Gen-X school, but in this he channels Iago into his character, and he's a bit of a dick. He seems harmless, but the way he lets robert sean leonard relax around him, then pin him into a corner, just for his own satisfaction, is perfect.

He's like a darker version of his Reality Bites character, revelling in the undoing of Leonard's character. What a great little film. Has anyone else noticed that Linklater been on a helluva roll since Slacker ie, he's never made a bad film.

And still no oscar.