Tape

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Tape

R,

2001,

1h 23m,

Drama

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77%

99 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

99 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A 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. Intrigued, we watch as layers of denial are slowly peeled away. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation. Mesmerized, we are drawn into their lives as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold.

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Critics Consensus

Tape's stagebound feel is balanced by the engrossing psychodrama of its storyline, which allows a committed cast to shine.

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

May 20, 2008

Three actors yakking in a single drab interior, shot on HD video: It's unlikely this poverty-program recipe has, or ever will again, yield results quite as entertaining as "Tape."

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

This makes good on that old Dogme promise by discarding the crutches of conventional movie drama and concentrating on the raw essentials of character and story.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Apr 4, 2003

A film, which, for all its energy, never quite sparks into life.

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B. Ruby Rich

The Nation

Feb 25, 2020

It's a wonderfully tense tale, played out with humor and sarcasm.

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

Apr 17, 2019

3/5

The humor gives Tape a quirky edge, but the film falls flat whenever the dialogue drifts to allow for a theatrical set piece or joke rather than to further investigate the central dilemma.

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Apr 29, 2009

Fascinating and engrossing character study with strong performances from the cast...

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Abraham S

Oct 22, 2018

Tape is a good "movie in a single location" movie which focuses on dialogue to hold our sway. It's filmed in real time and the acting is solid from all involved- Ethan Hawke especially. Many critics have compared it to a play and it feels so. Richard Linklater is both an auteur and a risk taker- similar to Steven Soderberg and this is another film where he showcases his talent.

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Theodore S

Jul 26, 2018

Two guys want to meet an old girlfriend in a hotel room. The whole premise felt stupid and I didn't believe most of it. Good acting but I hated the story.

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Albus G

Jul 16, 2018

Though the cheap camerawork is unnecessary, the acting and pacing make this a surprising good story in real time.

Abraham S

Jun 10, 2017

Last half hour made for entertaining viewing but I fast forwarded through the first 45 mins and even fell asleep! Really only gets interesting when Thurman shows up. Up to that point is just a long drawn out lead up to her arrival!

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Richard Linklater

Director

Ethan Hawke

Vince

Robert Sean Leonard

Johnny

Uma Thurman

Amy

Stephen Belber

Screenwriter

Stephen Belber

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Synopsis

A 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. Intrigued, we watch as layers of denial are slowly peeled away. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation. Mesmerized, we are drawn into their lives as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold.

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Alexis Alexanian, Anne Walker-McBay, Gary Winick
Screenwriter: Stephen Belber, Stephen Belber
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Tape Productions Inc., InDiGent Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Drug Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 2, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 6, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $490.5K
Runtime: 1h 23m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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