Review of Tape (2001) by Seth Y — 05 Mar 2015

To me, Richard Linklater is a dialogue guru and a master of minimalist storytelling. Tape is a perfect showcase of these two things. Taking place entirely in a sleazy motel room, this simple film is about three characters dealing with an event that happened years earlier during their high school days.

Considering how little is actually going on here, it's amazing how entertaining this film is. Yet again, Ethan Hawke is absolutely brilliant in a Linklater collaboration. That team-up has become one of my favorite duos - it's always pure quality.

I couldn't help but to be sucked in by the fantastic dialogue that this entire film relies on. It's so realistic and not everyone could pull it off. This is where Linklater really shines. I could have listened to these characters go back and forth for another hour and not be bored with it.

For what it is, this is a very impressive film.