Maze (15A) - Movie Review

A depiction of the 1983 North of Ireland Maze prison escape gets the big screen treatment this Autumn, and the lead actor/character is a familiar face from the small screen.

Tom Vaughn-Lawlor will always be remembered as Nidge from ‘Love/Hate’, and he fits seamlessly into tough guy roles.  Here he plays an IRA prisoner, Larry Marley in the Maze prison, and his home life and frustration at having his family outside his reach is shown here.  His wife is brilliantly, but shortly played by Eileen Walsh, and that view shows the other side of the IRA prisoner.

Barry Ward is a revelation as a Maze prison officer, Gordon Close whose life mirrors that of Larry, in that he too is separated from his family, albeit, because they left him over his dangerous career choice.  In a dramatic scene, Gordon is shown avoiding an assassination attempt in front of his wife and young daughter.

The movie, which is quite atmospheric and where it succeeds is that it has a ‘prison’ feel to it, and it would make an interesting stage play.  The escape plan is riveting in its showing, but overall the film is a disappointment.

It’s interesting to watch from a history perspective, but you would want to know some of the history before sitting down to watch the film, writes David Flynn.

The best thing about the film is the acting of Tom Vaughn Lawlor and Barry Ward, and the interaction and relationship between the two men from different sides of the wall.   

Victoria and Abdul (PG) - Movie Review

First of all, it’s a great title – ‘Victoria and Abdul’, which is a nod to ‘Victoria and Albert’, signifying the UK’s second longest serving monarch and her husband.
‘Victoria and Abdul’ is a (mostly, as it says in the opening) true story about an incident that happened in the final years of the Queen’s life.   
Victoria of England had a friendship with an Indian clerk, Abdul, which happened after the young man was sent from India to deliver a commemorative coin of Victoria’s Diamond jubilee.  India was under British rule at the time, and remained that way until 1947. 
As time went by the Queen developed a trust in Abdul, and she became tutored by him in the Indian language, and the Koran and the unlikely pair enjoyed each other’s company.  The friendship which followed was frowned upon by upper crust society, most especially by her son, Bertie, the Prince of Wales. 
The movie of ‘Victoria and Abdul’ is a tale of the last days of Victorianism, with the lady herself at the centre.  However there is much in the tale which would look familiar today.
Judi Dench returns to the role of Victoria, having last played the part in the movie, ‘Mrs. Brown’ in 1997, and a BAFTA award and probably some other awards  for this new movie beckons next year, including for the veteran actress.  Ali Fazal as Abdul, is a newcomer, but one to the watch for in the future.  Bertie, the Prince of Wales was played effectively in a surprising appearance by comic actor, Eddie Izzard.
There are many other good actors in the period piece, including Tim Pigott-Smith, who unfortunately died last April, as Sir Henry, and this is one of his final completed films.  Pigott-Smith appeared more than thirty years ago in TV’s ‘The Jewel in the Crown’. 
Other noteworthy performances were done by Michael Gambon, Olivia Williams, Simon Callow, and Irish actress, Ruth McCabe as the Queen’s dresser, writes David Flynn.
The director is Stephen Frears, who also directed Judi Dench in the multi—award winner, ‘Philomena’ in 2013.
It’s also worth mentioning that the set design; both interiors and exteriors of the royal world of the late 19^th century in ‘Victoria and Abdul’ were excellent.  On the big screen a few errors or items from out of place can be spotted, but no such thing can be seen because obviously a lot of work went into this production.