Independent filmmaker wannabe John (Robert Sean Leonard) and grimy fireman poseur Vince (Ethan Hawke) meet in a seedy Lansing hotel room for a twisted high school reunion of sorts. Linklater’s digital video version of Stephen Belber’s play takes place in one cramped room over real time, giving a grim, naturalized feel to this taut and intensely claustrophobic psychological drama. With mind games as fuel to the plot’s twists and turns, Tape viscerally explores themes of memory and truth. 2001, video, 86 minutes.
