Blu-ray debut for MAZE, Stephen Burke's 1980s-set prison drama of the Irish "Troubles"

Garnering good reviews when it opened theatrically here in the USA this past March, the 2017 movie MAZE seems to have impressed most critics because of what is doesn't do -- giving us the usual "prison break," all-action razamatazz -- as much as for what it actually does, which is to offer a mostly quiet, reflective look at how this particular prison break, the largest in Europe since World War II, was planned and then executed.

As written and directed by Stephen Burke (shown at left), Maze (named for the now demolished British prison) is more much interested in the how and why of the break-out than in the actual thing itself, and -- for more demanding adult audiences, at least -- this pays off via depth of character and more believability that is usual in this genre of film

This is not to say that the prison break itself is not exciting. It most definitely is, and it is filled with the kind of you-are-there intensity, documentary-like camera work, and an absolute realism during which it seems like just about anything could happen -- which is pretty much what does, i.e.: the best laid plans, and all that.

Getting to this point is what takes up most of the movie, and while there are scenes of prisoner confrontation, with both the guards and other prisoners, the relationship that develops between one prisoner, who plans the break (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, above), and the guard he deliberately befriends (Barry Ward, below) is what provides the meat of the movie.

These prisoners planning the break, you see, are part of the Irish Republican Army -- the film takes place after the more famous "hunger strikes" that received world-wide attention at the time -- and so are doubly shunned by both the prison staff and by the British prisoners, all of which makes planning and then executing the escape all the more intriguing and difficult.

The movie looks at events that are now decades past with a kind of  "both sides now" approach that sees neither side as out-and-out villains -- even if, we must conclude, these Irishmen had legitimate grievances that were never properly addressed by the British. If only things could have been viewed more evenhandedly back in the day, peace might have come somewhat sooner. But then, legitimate grievances seldom are handled properly by the folk in power, are they?

The supporting cast is as up-to-snuff as the two leads, and technical aspects as fine, as well. The Blu-ray transfer provided by theatrical distributor Lightyear Entertainment is good, and the extras here include a director's commentary and a bonus short film -- titled 81 -- from Stephen Burke.

Distributed here in the USA via MVD Visual/MDV Entertainment Group and running just 93 minutes, Maze hit the street on DVD and Blu-ray earlier this week and is now available for purchase and (I hope) rental.

On-Demand: With HAPPY EVER AFTERS Stephen Burke tackles two odd weddings

Sally Hawkins is an unusual actress in that she seems not to mind allowing herself to look pretty awful much of the time. No raving beauty, she can still be quite attractive, though we get only glimpses of this in films such as Happy Go Lucky, in which she created her biggest stir so far. Just recently she's been seen in Never Let Me Go, playing the teacher who gives her strange pupils their first dose of "reality," and she'll soon cause another stir in Made in Dagenham, playing the leader of the protest that eventually gave British women the right to equal pay. Folk who are fans of Ms Hawkins (TM counts himself as one such) can catch her these days on VOD in a middling rom-com featuring the ever-popular wedding theme -- times two.

HAPPY EVER AFTERS, the semi-new Irish film from writer/director Stephen Burke, was given its first theatrical release in France in 2009 (hence the poster, above) and has the not-bad idea of conflating two weddings: that of Ms Hawkins character to a strapping and sophisticated black man and her co-star Tom Riley (shown at bottom) to a young woman (played by Jade Yourell ) whom he's already been married to and divorced from. Each couple's post-ceremony reception takes place in the same hotel at the same time -- which makes for all kinds of surprises and misunderstandings, many of these farcical but unfortunately not handled with a particularly sure comedic touch.

Involved in these goings-on are a wealth of characters -- from Hawkin's young and noticeably "fatherless" daughter to various relatives, friends and -- in the case of Riley's bride-to-be-again -- a group of funny ladies she meets in a pub who then tag along for the ride. Much of the humor come from Mr. Riley again and again being placed into what appear to be compromising positions involving the character played by Ms Hawkins.

 
A little of this goes a long way, and, in any case, this kind of thing needs crack comedic timing from the actors and particularly the director, who unfortunately simply keeps his cameras going and leaves the actors on their own. The interesting thing is that they are all, finally, good enough to keep us involved and relatively well-entertained. By the film's finale, after we've spent 24 hours (of movie time) with these characters and dawn has just broken, the cast have become a bit like old friends.  "Seems like we've been with these people for a long time," my companion noted, with some surprise, "and I don't mean that in a bad way."

Early on, the movie may seem a bit rocky, but stick with Happy Ever Afters, and you'll probably be glad you did. Although where can you see it?  That's the question.  The film is apparently available via IFC On Demand -- even though IFC appears to have neglected to mention the film anywhere on its web site or in its marketing. I checked my local reception provider, Time Warner Cable, how-ever, and found that it is indeed available. You might want to check with your local provider to make certain of its existence, as well.