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38
12 Rounds Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
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Tape
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MPAA RATING: R for language and drug content
Starring Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, and Uma Thurman
Richard Linklater directs this three-character ensemble piece set within the confines of a tawdry motor lodge in Lansing, Michigan. After 10 years apart, three disparate people come together to play out the unresolved drama of their final days in high school. (Lions Gate Films)
| GENRE(S): | Drama |
| WRITTEN BY: | Stephen Belber (also play) |
| DIRECTED BY: | Richard Linklater |
| RELEASE DATE: |
DVD: April 16, 2002 Video: April 16, 2002 Theatrical: November 2, 2001 |
| RUNNING TIME: | 86 minutes, Color |
| ORIGIN: | USA |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this movie is 6.6 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Chad S. gave it a 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.
Zeljko R. gave it a 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.
Yoon C. gave it an 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.
Dan C. gave it a 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!
Luke M. gave it a 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.
Ryan M. gave it a 0:
Nothing ever happens, no one ever evolves, and the camerawork never gets any better.
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