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MAZE Send This Review to a Friend
Laura Linney can make any film glow, and her contribution to "Maze," directed and co-written (with Bradley White) by Rob Morrow, cannot be overestimated. Morrow also stars as a New York artist, Lyle Maze, who is afflicted with Tourette Syndrome. His lack of control results in outbursts that can jar the most sympathetic person in his presence, and one time when he tries to sketch a nude model he inadvertently squirts paint all over her. She tries to be a good sport, but it is one more defeat in his life, plagued by basic loneliness and the fear that he can never have a normal relationship that can result in mutual love.
But something unexpected happens. His friend Mike (Craig Sheffer) is a young doctor who longs to do good in the world and goes off on assignments that play havoc with his relationship with the increasingly exasperated Callie (Linney). His latest trip to work in Africa with Doctors Without Borders is the last straw. Callie doesn't even tell him that she's pregnant. Lyle clearly has an affection for Callie, who is in need emotionally, but is a generous person, even offering to pose nude to aid Lyle's work. Becoming her ever-closer friend, Lyle selflessly devotes himself to helping her through her pregnancy. We see the bonds become stronger as Callie is also drawn to him.
Linney beautifully communicates Callie's neediness, her appreciation for Lyle's help and her fondness for him. But there is always the undercurrent of the difficulty she would have in going further, both because of her carrying the torch for Mike and the enormous problem she'd have in view of Lyle's affliction. But it is a measure of the film's sincerity that we root for love to blossom successfully.
Morrow is very convincing as Lyle, and gives us jarring point of view shots of how Lyle sees the world during the moments when he loses control. Outwardly, we observe his ticks and grunts that momentarily interrupt his conversations. It is an unflinching portrait and performance, although the drama is stretched out longer than necessary and there are times when it becomes wearing.
Nevertheless, this is a movie that is utterly sincere in the way it handles its subject matter, and just making it presented a challenge that Morrow has mostly met. Mark this also as yet another exquisite performance by Linney. "Maze" is a modest film capable of carrying an audience along with its courage and fine acting. An Andora Pictures International Release.
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