The Cider House Rules (1999)

Great Movie

I just felt this movie was one of the best I'd seen in the past ten years.
It dealt with a very controversial subject long before it was politically correct to discuss it. I think the actors chosen were excellent.
I'd watched it through Netflix but I still wanted my own copy. October 21, 2008

What do rules mean?

Homer Wells (Maguire) was born and raised in a New England orphanage under the care and tutelage of Dr. Wilber Larch (Caine), who came to the orphanage to be a hero.

Homer was considered one of the 'unadoptables'. The first couple who took him was disapointed because he didn't cry (orphan babies don't cry). The second couple made Homer cry by abusing him.

Homer became Dr. Larch's apprentice, tending the sick children, delivering women of babies they're surrendering, but Homer drew the line at aborting babies. It was against the law.

Larch advises Homer when he leaves that he will find harsher conditions out in the world, but will be unable to do as much as the orphanage could.

When a young couple Wally and Candy (Rudd and Theron) come to get an abortion, Homer leaves with them. While Wally is off to fly in World War II, Homer works in Wally's family orchard, picking apples.

There he learns about the Cider House Rules. There's a whole wall of them posted on the migrant workers' bunkhouse. Only thing is, Wally is the only one who can read them. The rest of the itinerant laborers cannot read. He learns just how germane those rules are to the people who have to live out in the world.

The movie is nowhere as strong as John Irving's book upon which it was based. Scenery and score are lovely. The highlight, for me, was Michael Caine's acting as Larch, which won him an Oscar. It's a harsh film, but a real and beautiful one. April 2, 2008

cider house

This is an excellent movie which highlights Michael Cane, Toby Mcguire, Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo and Erykah Badu's acting skills. The cast is multicultured, colorful and seasoned. It highlights the question of abortion and adoption and what is missing in the lives of orphans: LOVE. I read the novel and bought the movie. All the book can't be in the movie, but the director did a great job of merging 2 minor characters to keep the main story flowing along. This move is one that you will add to your collection. I recommend it strongly. February 22, 2008

the cider house rules

very good movie shame on you delroy lindo incest is a mess one of my favorite movies I have recommended it to several friends December 21, 2007

RULES that are made to be broken: a glorious film and suberb adaptation of the novel

If ever a film has maintained it's staying power, it is the John Irving adapted-Lasse Halstrom directed THE CIDER HOUSE RULES.IMO this is the finest adaptation of any of John Irving's many many-paged novels,(THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP,THE HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE,DOOR IN THE FLOOR and loosely SIMON BIRCH) because Irving,himself,finally adapted his own work to the screen, and because director Lasse Hallstrom (CASANOVA,CHOCOLATE,GILBERT GRAPE,SHIPPING NEWS) has the sensitivity and sensibility to rise to the occasion of such a daunting task.The complex issues that Irving presents in his novel are so effectively and beautifully rendered to the screen and Rachel Portman's soundtrack undergirds all of this with the grace and panache that the material asks.

The story of Homer Wells,orphan,(Tobey Maguire) is taken right from the pages of Dickens' "David Copperfield". Life is full of choices.There are no right and wrong choices-just choices that have consequences and learned wisdom.Irving's work is always about moral ambiguities, and this is the finest example of his work to date.Rules are made every day! One of the most glorious films ever made! November 30, 2007

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