Based on a true story the movie Maze unfolds like a game of deception that turns into chaos. The film brings to light an event that helped decide peace for Ireland’s Irish Republican Army. Long fought between British and Irish nationalists, the movie hones in on a prison break that was a part of Northern Ireland Conflict in 1983. The film provides a dark statement about a country in turmoil and the lengths the people involved would go to be free.
Following a failed attempt at a hunger strike in which 10 men died, Larry Marley (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) returns to the general population of Maze Prison. He’s a member of the Irish Republican Army who was taken into custody some 10 years earlier. Determined to escape one of the highest security prisons in Europe, Marley starts a plan the day he arrives in his cell. Others are skeptical of the idea since their time there has been coming to an end, but they all align on the principles that they have been put into cages for all the wrong reasons.
Part of Marley’s plan is to become very cooperative and show he can be trusted by the warders, the prison guards. On this one day he reaches out to Warder Gordon Close (Barry Ward) who is in need of a caretaker for the offices of the jailers. Already despised by inmates that are felons with the British loyalists, it’s a skeptical attempt at best, but he gets the job after a comment that refusing Marley’s request may not look good to Close’s higher ups.
After a few work days in the guard’s office area, Marley springs his idea on a few trusted fellow IRA prisoners. Director and writer Stephen Burke keeps his film moving along at a nice pace introducing the characters of the loyal opposition, Marley’s wife, and key helpers of Marley’s inner circle. He then unleashes the escape with intricate details and twists before revealing the interesting finale.
Making the film work Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Marley and Barry Ward as Close do a fine job of bringing their characters to the screen. However, if the film had not been one of depiction of a historical event, it would haven’t been as intriguing as most films of its type. Just the interaction between the two makes it worth a watch, but more for DVD or VOD.
Maze has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains violence, language and brutality. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for youngsters. The film is in English, but due to the Irish brogue filmmakers include English subtitles so you won’t miss a word.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Best for historians and those that like an emotive drama. (2.5 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Barry Ward, Martin McCann, Eileen Walsh, Aaron Monaghan, Niamh McGrady, Ross McKinney, Elva Trill, Tim Creed, Cillian O’Sullivan, Patrick Buchanan, David Coakley, Will Irvine
Directed and written by: Stephen Burke
Genre: Crime, History
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains violence, language
Running Time: 1 hr. 32 min.
Opening Date: May 3, 2019
Distributed by: Lightyear Entertainment
Released in: Standard
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
