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Tape
User Score
6.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9

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  1. JosiahR.
    May 2, 2002
    9
    A twisting case study into the nature of morality and existentialism. Hawke, Leonard, and Thurman give outstanding performances. A must see.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. DanC.
    Jun 18, 2003
    10
    A movie focused on dialogue which teeters on realism to the point of unease. For anyone who wants to see three people hash it out in the most realistic way a movie can get, check it out!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. ChadS.
    Jul 17, 2004
    9
    If Amy (Uma Thurman) didn't interrupt the tussle between Vince (Ethan Hawke) and Johnny(Robert Sean Leonard), and Johnny had the edge, would he pry the tape from Vince's cold, dead fingers? Johnny would then have to kill Amy, too, since Vince mentioned him during their phone conversation. Johnny says he's a different man, and yet, participates in a pot-smoking session with Vince, which might be a clue that's he's held on to his old vices, like drugs, like committing felonies. "Tape" is a remarkable piece of writing, a showcase for its stars (well, Robert Sean Leonard isn't a star, yet) to prove they're actors, and overall, the best play on film since Sidney Lumet's "Long Day's Journey into Night". Director Richard Linklater is no slouch either. A filmed play differs from a regular movie, and digital video seems to make that distinction. A play is about words, and celluloid isn't going to improve the grammar and syntax. The performances and situations feel so real, celluloid would've interfered with the uncanny versimilitude Linklater captured here. We're like flys with eyes. … Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. LukeM.
    May 26, 2002
    2
    Great performances, terrible premise. Why someone's close friend would arbitrarily betray him as Ethan's character does in Tape is beyond me. And the jumpy camerawork just seems a little desperate; it doesn't compensate for the claustrophobia of the film.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. RyanM.
    May 3, 2002
    0
    Nothing ever happens, no one ever evolves, and the camerawork never gets any better.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. ZeljkoR.
    Dec 8, 2003
    9
    A superb movie, it shows that you don´t have to spend a lot of millions of dollars to do a movie. The cast is superb specially Uma. Rita Kempley quite wrong about the bad lighting and "arty" angles, i suppose she´s a spiderman alike movie fan.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. YoonC.
    Sep 22, 2003
    8
    One of the few movies that works as filmed play, it pries underneath the surface reality of three friends, exposing darkness beneath the facade of amiability and the desperation under a cool demeanor. Sharply written and performed. Directed with intense focus and concentration.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Paul Malcolm
    40
    A tedious exercise in ethical hand wringing.
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  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    75
    Tape may not be a great movie, but it's a great demonstration of creativity within severe limitations.
    Read full review
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    90
    Linklater must have recognized a kindred spirit when he read Belber's play. He's given us a reality-fantasy game, a psychodrama, a harangue, and a detective story all rolled into one.
    Read full review
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