The Worst Film Ever

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

I don't understand all of the negative reviews users have given this hidden gem. This film was great! I was thoroughly entertained by "Tape" and the movie kept my attention the whole way through. The three characters presented in this film all have a purpose and compose themselves in a manner that provides an insight to the type of person they really are. Hawke, Leonard, and Thurman are the ones to thank for this as they all brought their A game. If you get the chance, give this movie a watch!

A small, much more contemporary piece compared to his highly cerebral and evocative Waking Life from the same year, Richard Linklater's film adaptation of the Stephen Belber play is rather convincing and foreboding in its portrayal of three friends from high school who reunite ten years later and learn how little each of them has been able to shake their respective pasts.Ethan Hawke truly stands out here as a bonafide actor; completely confident and convincing in his role as a drug dealer/firefighter who initially seems like a typical, stoned-out druggie yet turns out to be far more observant and conniving. Robert Sean Leonard is also strong who likewise turns a few corners over the course of a night of talking frankly with people from his past. Overall, this is a fairly minor work from one of America's most important directors, but it shows his capabilities to stretch beyond his comfort zone and mix it up within a rather unpopular but still important subgenre of drama. Shot on digital video for a more authentic and gritty feel, this is a gripping story that at its best shows pitiful characters at their most vulnerable points.

SPOILERS:Wow, what a film. I'd heard of this before I saw it and really enjoyed the whole movie. I will be recommending this to everyone I know.I am assuming most people reading this review already know about the movie, especially since I did list this as having spoilers,(and it will continue to have spoilers) but for those who don't know much about it and are still reading.....it's about two male friends and a woman. Way back in the mens' pasts an event occurred between one of the men and the woman. The other man wants to find out the truth of what happened and force a confrontation between the woman and his friend and himself. There is so much more to it but that's a kind of basic sketch...being as general as I can be.This is an indie movie purist's dream come true. The movie really grabbed me and there wasn't one boring moment throughout. That's significant because of the type of movie it is. It has only three characters and it all takes place in a hotel room. Now many movies in general, even good movies, heck even GREAT films, can drag at times or have a few dull moments. And so, being that many movies can drag or have their dull moments, one might figure this little indie film, taking place in a room and consisting of..essentially words and conversation would have many.It has none. Not a one. There isn't a dull, draggy, or unimportant moment in the whole movie. It's absolutely riveting and I was taken with the whole thing. In terms of action there is little. Nobody ever leaves the hotel room. There are three characters. It's talky to the point where it could have been agonizing to watch but somehow the whole thing works. I'd strongly recommend it.And the scene stealer is...Uma Thurman. What a performance from her. She is fast becoming my favorite actress and even though she doesn't make an appearance to well into the flick she's great. So were the two males. (By the way is it me or does Ethan hawk's performance remind one of a few Sean Penn movies?) But Uma dominates the screen here.I'd give this a high 8. 5 of 10. Watch it as it's a gem. Strongly recommended.

Okay, so, admittedly, I am a huge Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke fan. But, I think this film is just more proof that they are artists worthy of keeping your eye on. This film makes use of the same enthusiastic writing technique that makes Linklater's works Before Sunrise and Before Sunset also my favorites. This time, instead of two characters, there are three. But, that's all you get for the entire film. Three people in one room. Two guys who knew each other in high school and have stayed in touch off and on meet up in a motel room when on of them is in town. As they play catch up, you find out their versions of past events vary. To clear things up, enter their former classmate, played by Uma Thurman. The dynamic between these three is phemonenal. This movie is a must see.