Maze (2001)

I discovered this movie totally by accident one night when it was on cable and I couldn't sleep - as it was, I didn't end up sleeping until it was over and even then I couldn't stop thinking about it. Laura Linney is, to use a dramatic cliché, and I apologise, magical, but then again she is in almost every role she takes. The title didn't stick in my head and after watching it and loving it so much, I actually couldn't remember what the damn thing was called and have missed out! But now I've rediscovered it and intend to hunt it down at the local video shop and watch it again, four years on! Highly recommend this movie to everyone!

I kind of liked this movie, but I feel it is not quite as good as the reviews indicate. Good points: Excellent acting all around, good writing and decent direction. Bad points: Very slow pacing (too many dead spots), weak editing, and an annoying cinematography technique of switching to a first person view (and a blurry one at that) when Lyle is having a Tourette's attack. Overall: Good, but not great, 6/10.

At first the Tourette's Syndrome symptoms were so disconcerting and disturbing to me, that I couldn't concentrate on the story, but once I got past that (and I can't even pinpoint where in the movie that occurred), I thought the movie was very well done, the story and the acting, and thought Rob Morrow was excellent as were many of the others. I would suggest though, that it would be a good idea to do a little research on Tourette's Disease, before you see the movie, in order to better understand what the main character is going through.

I had no idea what to expect with this movie, renting it on a whim... but it moved me more than a movie has in a very long time. Rob Morrow does a fantastic job of portraying this tormented artist who also has a wonderful sense of humor. The characters are believable and real, and I instantly was drawn into the story. I love it when a movie captures me that way, and I really care about what happens to the characters. This movie is insightful, artistic, emotional, funny and educational (especially for someone like me who knew nothing about what it's like to have Tourette Syndrome). Also, the soundtrack is unique and moving - VERY original. There is some nudity but not sexually (women posing for Lyle Maze, the artist) and some bad language. What struck me most about the movie was the innocence in the love portion of the story. It's beautiful and complicated like love tends to be. Go rent it! :)