Review of Tape (2001) by David U — 21 Sep 2005

[font=Trebuchet MS][size=2][b]Short Review.

[/b]A film of play that is filmed like a play, the camera techniques which offbeat Richard Linklater uses in [i]Tape[/i] are the most noticable thing about it- and also the most offputting. Devices such as rushing side-to-side between two characters, filmed between a character's legs, etc. focus the viewer's attention far more upon them than upon the story, which seems like it could possibly have worked slightly if filmed more subtly. However, even if we look past the intensely theatrical feeling of the filming, the script, adapted by Stephen Belber from his own play, seems too concerned with making philosophical revelations, which simply come across as pretentious, than forming a true, cohesive story.

The story includes only three characters: Vince (Ethan Hawke), a rather pathetic 28 year-old drug-dealer; his old best friend Jon (Robert Sean Leonard), a young director with his debut film about to show at the film festival in Michigan; and Amy (Uma Thurman), Vince's old girlfriend from high school and Jon's one-night stand, whom neither have seen for years. In Vince's hotel room, he and Jon talk, argue, take drugs and talk some more, while slowly it becomes apparent that Vince is trying to coerce Jon into 'admitting' that he date-raped Amy those ten years before.

Most of the power that could have been enconsced in this first section is disappated by the camera-work, assorted psuedo-philosophical ramblings and a rather jittery performance from Ethan Hawke, who never seems to be able to settle into the character or the film. Leonard, however, is excellent, as he slowly breaks down into self-doubt and anguish. The film manages to move it's tension up a notch when Amy arrives, mainly thanks to Thurman's performance as an initially confused and nervous woman who soon becomes annoyed and angry at the two men from her past. The film has an interesting ability to portray the beliefs of each character on what happened that night, which leads to the striking ending. But even then, the camera work is extremely distracting, pulling the viewer out of the story and into annoyance at the fact that this is not a film: it's a play.[/size][/font].