I was puzzled why I would end up with this sort of reaction to the film and then it dawned on me that it was because of the character of Callie (Laura Linney). She is the girl friend of Lyle's best friend, Mike (Craig Sheffer), a doctor who likes to go off to the four corners of the earth and help save the world. More importantly, she totally accepts Lyle. At one point she tells him she does not even notice his ticks, but I think we are aware of that from the start of the film. Even if Lyle was not a great artist, working on his next big show, Callie would not treat him any differently. She shows no more concern over his Tourettes than she does over standing there totally nude posing for Lyle in his studio.

Callie agrees to model for Lyle and tells him that she is pregnant; that night she is going to tell Mike. However, Mike beats her to the punch and announces he is going to Brundi for Doctors Without Borders for seven months. She gets ticked and decides not to tell him about the baby. Lyle, who already knew about the Mike's plans, becomes concerned about Callie. The story (by Morrow and Bradley White) if fairly predictable in terms of whether or not Callie will decide to have the baby and what is going to happen between the couple now that Lyle is taking an active interest in her welfare. Callie is going to have some hard choices to make down the road and there is no way of telling which way it is going to go. .

Morrow co-write the film and directs it as well as stars in it, but this is Linney's movie. This is rather fitting because the actress received some grief in some corners for having bared it all for this particular project. But Callie's nudity is as natural in these circumstances as Lyle's Tourettes. Besides, we do get an opportunity to see how her figure is turned into art (unfortunately I did not write down the name of the artist who did everyting we see in "Maze," however, it is the first credit that appears at the end of the film and rightfully so). More importantly, it because ultimately I find myself take Callie's view on the world and not Lyle's, even with its hand held camera affects trying to give us visual insight into the way he sees that world, that I ended up veiwing "Maze" the strange way that I did.

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.