Claustrophobic Reckonings in 'Tape'

'Watching 'Tape' (Richard Linklater, 2002) is analogous to walking into the most unpleasant of situations, a venture into a nondescript grimy hotel room that is occupied by cantankerous cohorts between whom tensions are in overdrive. It would be sweet relief to walk out but intrigue (or voyeurism) has been piqued and wins over. This, coupled with pacy, compelling dialogue, suggests that there is something to be learned from the discomfort.'