Tape (2001)

Set against the grimy backdrop of a run-down motel in Lansing, Michigan, "Tape" unravels the complex narrative of two high school friends, Jon and Vince, who find themselves tangled in a web of past transgressions and unspoken truths. Jon, a budding independent filmmaker, and Vince, a boisterous drug-dealer caught in a rut, reunite in the cluttered confines of Vince's rented room to commemorate the premiere of Jon's latest film at a local festival. The stark contrast between Jon's career trajectory and Vince's aimless existence immediately kindles tension, further fueled by Vince's escalating intoxication. The celebration takes a somber turn as the conversation meanders towards a contentious issue from their shared past, a topic that invariably surfaces every time they meet. As Vince's erratic behavior spirals under the influence of alcohol and narcotics, his true intentions behind this reunion become ominously apparent. The room, heavy with the ghosts of their past, bears witness to a startling revelation involving an alleged date-rape from their high school days, a secret now trapped within the confines of Vince's surreptitious tape recording. The plot thickens with the unexpected arrival of Amy, the third pillar of their high school triangle, now an Assistant District Attorney in Lansing. Unbeknownst to Jon, his past has been invited to the party by Vince, opening a floodgate of accusations, counter-arguments, and raw emotions. What unfolds is a relentless pursuit of truth, as the lines between fact and fabrication blur, testing the limits of friendship and forgiveness in this gripping drama.

Tape is a drama movie featuring Ethan Hawke and directed by Richard Linklater.

Tape is currently streaming on AMC+ Amazon Channel and DIRECTV.