When we first see Vince (Ethan Hawke) in Richard Linklater's Tape, he's bouncing around his dodgy hotel room like a sugar-rushed kid straight outta Candy Land. Later on, we find that what he's rushing on isn't exactly candy. Nevertheless, what is he so amped up about? What is he waiting so impatiently for?
Shortly after his jumping, throwing and flailing around the room, there's a knock at his hotel room door. In walks Vince's best friend from high school, Jon (Robert Sean Leonard). (You may recall that Hawke and Leonard played roommates in the Robin Williams vehicle, Dead Poets Society.) Jon is in town for the premiere of the indie film he's been working on for the past couple years. The old friends quickly fall into conversation about Vince's recently failed relationship, Jon's potentially burgeoning directorial career and old times.
But there's a palpable edge to the conversation. These guys are clearly old pals, but there's something between them. A divide of some sort. There's a competitive feel to the banter, though Jon quickly assumes the authoritative role because he "has it together." Vince is a mess -- disheveled, jittery and a small-time drug dealer. Jon is clean cut and seemingly on the path to success.
And yet the power pendulum swings when Vince begins to delve into their collective past. He brings up Amy, his high school sweetheart, and Jon is instantly hesitant. What happened with Amy? Why is this almost immediately a sore subject?
Before long we find out that Amy broke up with Vince near the end of senior year -- likely because of his "potentially dangerous" nature (this is referred to on multiple occasions) -- and Jon swooped in and slept with Amy.
This is apparently still bothering Vince. A lot. To make matters even more interesting, Amy happens to be in the area. Perhaps she'll be stopping by.
Vince proceeds to place Jon under intense questioning for an extended period of time. There's little subtlety to what he's doing -- Vince is saying Jon's experience with Amy wasn't sex. It was rape. But why is Vince suggesting this? What are his grounds? Where did he get this theory from?
**SPOILERS AHEAD **
As the conversation heats up, Jon begins to break. At first he says the sex was "a little rough." As Vince becomes more and more insistent, Jon concedes more and more. Maybe it was date rape, he grants Vince, who is still visibly unsatisfied. He almost seems like he needs it to be rape.
Disturbingly enough, Vince wants to hear Jon saying that he raped the love of his life. And when Jon actually does, the title of the movie begins to make sense. The moment Jon finally exclaims, "Okay, it was rape!" we hear the clicking of a tape recorder. "What was that?" Jon asks.
Vince is ecstatic. He has successfully recorded the confession. Shortly after, he's on the phone with Amy, confirming that she's on the way over. Jon is both dumbfounded and extremely frustrated. Why has his "best friend" done this to him? Is Amy really on the way over, or is Vince just messing with him to make a vicious point? He can't afford to wait to find out. He tackles Vince in an effort to grab the tape. A scuffle ensues. It's getting violent when of course...
...there's a knock at the door.
Both "men" quickly hop off the floor and straighten themselves up. Jon looks like he's ready to crap his pants. Vince is bursting with manic energy. When the door peels open, Amy (Uma Thurman) walks in.
From there, things get tricky. I don't want to give away too much, but Amy's introduction to the story certainly clouds the facts. There are secrets revealed about Vince. There are mysterious elements to Amy's responses and unwillingness to say anything definitive. Previously uttered lines of dialogue begin to make more sense. Someone ends up completely in the dark. A life-changing phone call is made. Someone gets closure. Someone is forgiven. Someone has the power at the very end.
If you make it to the end of Tape, you may think you know what happened.
But...think again. You'll want to. Trust me.
** JOHNNY FRO'S RATING: 9 out of 10 **
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