User reviews

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.

Craig Sheffer and Rob Morrow worked good to make this film great I loved it.It was a good film and it was good But Craig Sheffer was talented once again in the film like all the others.It was truly a great film.Craig Sheffer puts alote of heart into every movie he is in and show. Rob Morrow also had a very exciting performance. But Craig Sheffer's was better. Well He is outstanding. Craig also looks like David Boreanaz the guy off of Angel. Heck I loved this movie so much I laughed at it. Because Rob Morrow is so funny. This movie rocked but it never was in any theaters and that sucks. This was a Great performance for Craig Sheffer since KIllerBuzz was made in 1998.Awesome Movie!

I watched this movie with a great deal of interest as I have TS, as do both my sons. Rob Morrow gives a chilling performance - I thought he actually had Tourette's Syndrome. The frustration at not being able to do things the way he wants to because of his tics, the cruel comments from "normal people", the social ramifications and lack of self-worth were all portrayed exceptionally. I highly recommend this movie to anyone, but especially to those who know someone with TS. It gives a great deal of insight into the reality of life with TS. If you liked this movie you might want to see "The Tic Code" with Gregory Hines and Polly Draper.

An artist suffering from Tourette's Syndrome falls in love with the pregnant girlfriend of his best friend while the latter's away. Morrow is a pretty good actor, but the film is undone by his pedestrian efforts as director and writer. The script is meant to be inspirational, but the execution is dull and eventually sappy. The direction is hackneyed. The symptoms of the disease are on display so often that it's a distraction; one waits for the next attack to manifest itself rather than focusing on the story. The only good thing about this tedious and clichéd film is Linney, who is terrific in just about anything she does.

There are many people-- too many, in fact,-- who live their entire lives on the `outside looking in,' to one degree or another, because the `normal' ones among us-- the ones who govern the great majority, or even the ones who just have a hand in formulating the criteria by which the parameters of our great `Society' are established-- deem it to be so, and have the wherewithal to effect their ends. Indeed, there are those who probably prefer an `outsider' status, rather than succumbing to the tenets of what is essentially the wide spread hypocrisy so prevalent throughout our world today. But it would be nice to at least give them that choice, which unfortunately, despite all the `politically correct' posturing that goes on and on around us daily, we do not. Yet, ironically, often it is these denizens from beyond the mainstream that so enrich our lives with their thoughts, art, and by their mere presence amongst us. `Maze,' written, directed by and starring Rob Morrow, is the story of one of these: An artist, whom we discover early on is also a very caring person, who is nevertheless relegated to that outer rim because he suffers from Tourette's Syndrome. He's different; he doesn't fit in; he's an embarrassment. He's also a very accomplished artist who puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us. And-- like the rest of us-- he has very basic wants and needs, all the things that give definition to what he really is: Human. Just like the rest of us.

Lyle Maze (Morrow) is an established artist on the verge of a critical and financial breakthrough, but he lives a solitary existence, spending most of his time holed up in his loft, alone. He has one good friend, Mike (Craig Sheffer), but stays to himself, attempting to avoid the ridicule and embarrassment, or just the unwanted attention elicited by the uncontrollable `tics' generated by the Tourettes. Mike is a doctor and prescribes medication that may help, but Lyle fears it may stifle his creativity, as well, so he refuses to take it. it affects his work though, too, as his sudden outbursts are too disconcerting for even those with whom he must work, as when a model he has hired to pose for him walks out, unnerved by his seemingly erratic behavior.

Then Mike makes a decision that ultimately becomes the catalyst for what becomes a significant emotional event in Lyle's life. Mike, following an altruistic bent, signs on with a medical group and commits himself to months of work in a third world country. It's an admirable pursuit, but to follow this particular dream, he must leave behind the woman he loves, Callie (Laura Linney). And though Mike doesn't realize it, it is a very fragile time for Callie, and for their relationship. As Mike prepares to leave, Callie, aware of Lyle's predicament with models, volunteers to pose for him. Things become complicated, however, when Lyle suddenly begins to realize that he has feelings for Callie-- feelings he should not have in light of the fact that Mike is his best (only) friend. Lyle is conscientious and sensitive to the issue, but as is always the case in matters of the heart, all bets are off. And so, to his problems with Tourettes, Lyle must now add the inner conflict and guilt born of his (as yet unexpressed) feelings for Callie, as he seeks to resolve yet another of the curves that life seems determined to throw at him.

This movie marks the feature film debut of Morrow as a writer (along with Bradley White)/director, and it's one of those little gems that it's so gratifying to discover after sifting through all of the `fools gold' that Hollywood continues to pollute the stream with. Morrow successfully taps into that vein of need that runs through the human condition, places it in a proper setting, measures the finger of his audience and sizes it accordingly. And like a hand crafted item made with precision and an eye for detail, the result is a small, but invaluable treasure. Morrow (probably best known for his work in the TV series `Northern Exposure') has an acute grasp of human nature, and his insights provide the basis for a thought provoking, emotionally involving sojourn through the landscape of the human condition. Indeed, it is the humanity he finds in his characters that makes this film sing. It is a sensitive presentation devoid of any overt sentimentality that would have rendered it maudlin; with a seemingly innate sense of the emotional boundaries within which he must stay to be effective, Morrow keeps his finger on the pulse of the story, makes the necessary adjustments and keeps the heartbeat steady. And it works.

As Lyle, Morrow gives an extremely affecting performance; his `tics' are done to perfection, to the point of an irritating realism that so effectively gives you that sense of what it must be like to suffer such a malady, as well as offering some real insight into how it affects those who encounter someone with Tourettes, and how difficult it can be to respond appropriately. Morrow's portrayal generates understanding and sympathy for the sufferer, while at the same time offers some vindication to those who simply cannot cope with it. As a filmmaker, Morrow is to be complimented for offering up such a sensitive subject for the consideration of his audience, doing it objectively and without passing judgment on their response.

Laura Linney is terrific, too, as Callie, giving a performance that evokes the empathy of the viewer with her portrayal of a woman at an emotional crossroads in her life, who though beset with inner conflict finds the strength to overcome her troubles and decide for herself the direction her life will take. It's the kind of memorable performance which, along with Morrow's, makes `Maze' an entertaining and satisfying cinematic experience. It's the magic of the movies. 8/10.

The main character's Tourette's episodes seem way overdone. His illness is distracting and hard to watch. I couldn't watch for more than 10 minutes. How can someone who can't focus be an artist let alone live by himself? Is Tourette's actually a visual perception problem like vertigo. Morrows over acting reminded me of a Talking Heads video. I guy Morrow couldn't tell himself that he is overdoing it. This is the problem with self-directed movies. I thought it was supposed to be a drama not a comedy. Morrow's acting would have played well in a National Lampoon movie. Could have picked a more appropriate title for the movie since it was misleading. Dizzy would have been closer to the truth.

"Maze" tells of a trio of young adults with one being an artist with Tourette's syndrome, Lyle Maze (Morrow)...oh, and a baby too. Slick, fresh, and a different kind, a better kind of love story, "Maze" integrates Tourette's with the other aspects of the film but the film is not about Tourette's. It's about love. Not romance. Love.

A finely crafted piece, "Maze" spends the whole run time developing the characters and their relationships while explaining nothing, refusing to be a typical Hollywood no-brainer by spelling everything out with sky writing. Rather it assumes the audience is intelligent and empathic enough to understand the thoughts and feelings of the characters...something more often seen in foreign films. The antithesis of schmaltz, this hip and light-hearted drama is easy to get into, runs quick, and has a great ending. Kudos to Morrow for this wonderful film. ("Maze" also has the best birth scene I've seen in a movie.)

Lyle Maze is a successful painter and sculptor. But he lives a very lonely life, knowing he will never find love. He has Tourette's syndrome, with some OCD thrown in for good measure, and his affliction pretty much shuts him off from the world. What with the spasms, the tics, the strange noises he emits Lyle assumes nobody would ever love him. Loving him would be too much of a challenge. He really has one friend in the world, Mike, a doctor. Mike provides Lyle with the newest medication which would perhaps better control his symptoms. But Lyle refuses to take the pills. A stubborn man he is. But Mike's pretty stubborn too, not to mention oblivious. He's determined to save the world and flies off to Africa for seven months of humanitarian work. He leaves his pregnant girlfriend Callie behind. To be fair he doesn't know she's pregnant but you get the sense he wouldn't much care. So Mike's gone, Callie's all alone, and Lyle is perpetually alone. Pretty easy to see where this is headed.

With Mike out of the picture Lyle and Callie connect. It starts innocently enough with Callie modeling for Lyle. As innocent as nude modeling can be anyway. But the more time they spend together the closer they become. Too close for Lyle's comfort as he doesn't want to betray the absent Mike. But Callie talks him down off the metaphorical ledge and the relationship blooms. He is there for support during her pregnancy. And she draws him out of his shell a bit, opening him up to the possibilities of life and love. She even sets him up on a date with a friend of hers, which his Tourette's causes to go less than well. But at least he tried. Truth is though if there's any woman he's going to love it's Callie herself. Which is obviously problematic.

Rob Morrow, who not only played Lyle but directed the film, made a noble effort here. Lyle's battle to overcome his Tourette's and live a full life is a story which is surely worth being told. But the movie doesn't really work. As an actor Morrow works hard to sell Lyle's Tourette's. But as a director perhaps he should have reined himself in a bit. Morrow oversells it to the point the film quickly becomes very uncomfortable viewing. At some point all the tics and shakes and sounds just become a distraction. The movie's pacing is very slow and there's not much inherent drama. Once Mike takes off for Africa the whole thing becomes rather obvious. The relationship between Lyle and Callie evolves slowly, there are really no big moments to hook the viewer. It all leads up to an ending which on first glance seems clever but when you then think about it it's really a cheat. It's an ending the movie hasn't earned. Nothing we've seen beforehand sells the ending, which is jarringly abrupt, as being particularly plausible. This film was obviously a labor of love for Morrow but he didn't quite pull it off. He got a very good performance out of Laura Linney playing Callie. But his own performance left something to be desired. A challenging character to play to be sure but Morrow never seemed to find the best way to get Lyle's symptoms across. He went too far with his portrayal and the movie didn't go far enough with its story. There just aren't enough interesting things going on here. It's a film with a good message, about an affliction which need not destroy a life. But it's a message which deserved a better movie.

MAZE (2001) *** Rob Morrow, Laura Linney, Craig Sheffer, Gia Carides, Rose Gregorio, Robert Hogan. Morrow - who co-wrote with Bradley White and co-produced - makes his big screen debut to boot as a gifted artist afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome who finds himself babysitting his friend Linney while her boyfriend - and his best friend - Sheffer - is working as a doctor in a third world nation, and the two bond closely when she reveals her pregnancy ultimately leading to love like no other. Fine acting by the two protagonists make up for the tricky camera maneuvers (i.e. Morrow's view point as a herky-jerky shake of the unfolding scenes at hand) in this otherwise unique spin on the suffering artist in love comedy/drama genre.

I loved this movie. Rob Morrow did such a great job portraying Tourette syndrome accurately and it was an informative movie about TS without being completely about TS. It was a character who happened to have it but who was not defined by it. You really get a sense of how having this disorder affects his life, especially when occasionally the camera will cut to the view as Lyle sees it when he is ticcing. There are so many movies that if they do reference to Tourette syndrome it is in an inaccurate or sometimes rather mean spirited way. It is refreshing to see movies like this one. Another movie that portrays Tourette syndrome well is "The Tic Code" with Gregory Hines. The music for Maze was just incredible, I don't know if there is a soundtrack for this movie but if not, there should be. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes a sweet romantic heartwarming story and would like to learn something more about Tourette syndrome.

I've seen a lot movies in my life, but I must say Maze is the first one where really everything is exactly like I want it to be. It's so perfect. The story, the actors, the camera, the settings, the music... It's just one big wonderful feeling. I even think it's not necessary to summarize the story here because it's not the story which makes that film so great. It's the thing between Lyle and Callie. My English is not good enough to describe it (I'm from Germany). It's how they treat each other, the way they are with each other, how they look at each other (they almost don't need to talk, you know everything when you look into their faces, especially Lyle's longing for Callie, it's acted so good, you fall in love with her, too) and all these little things between the lines. That's why I can watch it again and again without being bored, because it carries a feeling, a mood, a state of mind, don't know how to tell... Watching this movie is like listening to your favorite music or watching a painting which really caught you, or sitting in the dark and watching the stars, like the feeling, when you come home in the winter and drink a cup of tea and you can feel it running slowly down your throat into your stomach and balley. Art is, what touches your soul. Maze is art. And please, it is not a movie about Tourette! If one reduces it to that, he hasn't understood one little thing. It's just one part. It's about love and how difficult it can be to find it, and especially if you don't serve common sense. I know what I'm talking about, it's always the same, no matter why you stay outside of the crowed. Maze gives hope and courage. Don't know how someone could create such a good movie... Thanks a lot to Rob Morrow and crew! Want more! Now I think I've subbed enough... :-) I love it!

I just recently discovered this wonderful movie. I love movies that make me laugh and cry.Rob Morrow was so believable in his role. I will probably watch this movie over and over. We need more movies like this-people movies.I was so impressed with the storyline, the acting was terrific, I can't believe I haven't found it until now, but it made my whole day and I'll be passing it on to everyone I know who likes good movies. I also loved the soundtrack and have looked all over for it, and I cannot find it anywhere. If someone knows where I can get it or have one to sell, please contact me. I collect soundtracks and would like to add this one to my collection. Thanks.

I just watched this peace of art in my living room on a LCD, and a movie with Laura Linney is always some kind of a wonderful experience. The story is touching, Rob Morrow is superb, Craig Sheffer intense as ever. Humor is here, great performing is here. The relationships are profound, you really get in tune with a deceased painter that wants to live a life out of the blue, that can love just anybody else but is afraid to tell. This is sweet cinema as a maze of passion can be. As I read: can a man and a woman remain just friends? Can two friends remain like so when a woman comes in? If you want your life changed for a 100 minutes go grab it right away.

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!

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! :)

As a person with TS my whole life, this movie was quite refreshing to see. The Tic Code was actually a little better overall because it was about a child and the stuff he faces with TS - it hit close to home for me.

But this one was a pretty accurate portrayal. I loved the acting and for the first time in my life actually liked Laura Linney. She's a good actress but I usually hate her. Not here.

The refreshing part about this movie is that it portrayed the following things:

-People with TS can be successful -People with TS have normal human feeling like the rest of humanity -People with TS can have friends and relate to others - the TS is the only thing that's "off" -Being casted out as young child by all who think you're a freak (especially your parents)and not being guided through it is what leads to low self esteem and isolation - not the disorder itself -That not all people with TS are these sweet and nice people that others dump all over - in other words, I thought Lyle Maze was an a-hole - that came with him being an eccentric artist - not really the TS

Of course as a TS person I gotta look at the only 2 things they didn't get right.....

-They just had to stick in the swearing right? When will there be a movie about TS that doesn't deal with the swearing? It's only 15% of all TS sufferers - I've never had that problem

-Doing his tics while he was painting - and while he was in the sexual tension moments with Laura Linney and on his date with her friend.

When you're in the moment - your tics pretty much disappear. If that were me on the date, my tics would be barely noticeable because the uneasiness is what overtakes you. During sex - forget it - it's as if TS was never a problem. As I sit here and write - no tics.

But alas, I know this nitpicky stuff really isn't the central theme of the movie. The acting and the story were stupendous. Good show!

When I come across a movie that is directed by and stars a former TV actor who has only done sporadic film work, I worry that it is a vanity piece and not worth the price of the popcorn accompaniment.

I am always happy when I turn out to be wrong.

Maze is a very nice little film. Not great. Not staggering. It is just quite good. It concerns the flowering relationship between an afflicted artist and the girlfriend of one of his buddies: how and why it happens, the inner turmoil that results and the logical conclusion to the relationship of the three main characters. It doesn't stray from the focus on the main characters and in the course of the film we see and understand how they came to be where they are. To be honest, I have always considered Laura Linney and Rob Morrow to be only adequate actors. They are pleasant enough to watch, but I have never expected much from either. Even with Linney's recent critical acclaim, I didn't expect much from her in this film. Again I was wrong about both actors. Morrow does quite a good job giving us a character afflicted with Tourette's without it either being soooo distracting as to be annoying or looking like a histrionic excorcism. I felt that he was able to show a character that was crippled by his place in society but still letting us see that underneath was a basically good person. And letting us see that good person makes it believable that Laura Linney's character would love him, despite his disease's symptoms. Linney as well gave a performance of growing depth and understanding. We see her character move from genuinely liking Morrow as a comfortable friend to loving him as the true partner she wanted all along. We see it in her eyes when she looks at him, when they work and read together and in the very simple act of taking his hand and quietly calming him while sitting in an audience at a recital.

If you enjoy simple, focused, character movies, I would suggest checking Maze out at your local video store.

We also liked this film very much. Morrow works hard, as an actor AND as a director, to help you see the world thru Lyle Maze's eyes. It's fascinating to watch him work -- when he's sketching, he becomes totally engrossed as an artist & his spasms stop. Then the "real world" intervenes. & his behavior gets worse & worse the more he tries to control it.

But the name of this film is totally wrong. Maybe it's based on a true story (the credits have a reference to National Public Radio but don't provide any detail), nevertheless, calling it MAZE is very misleading & won't help people find it. So if YOU saw it & YOU liked it, do your part to spread the word!

I felt as though this movie was a classical 90s movie. When i saw it, not knowing anything about it, i believed it even preceded northern exposure. There's a fleeting classical 90s quality to it that i can't define. It doesn't come off sappy and overused like lifetime movies, and it doesn't come off as a premeditated and transparent corporate travesty like ally mcbeal. It's just so, 90s, it's the most 90s movie you'll probably see in a long time. It might even be the last 90s movie ever made.

It's honest and sincere without premeditating being honest and sincere. It's warm, but not definably warm, there are no specially warmth-intended scenes. It's just, i can't say it better but that it's so 90s.

While flipping channels yesterday, I came across this movie. It immediately drew me in, and I found myself forgetting about everything around me. The character development and intense love story struck a chord in my whole being. I just fell in love with Lyle, and have so much empathy for how he lived and what he experienced. This was the most touching movie I have seen in a long while. It was not written just for the sake of telling a love story, but obviously written to tell a story about the souls of two people who fall madly in love. A learning experience about human nature and the human spirit awaits you in 'Maze.'