The Cider House Rules (2000)

In adapting his own novel The Cider House Rules for the screen, John Irving sacrificed at least some of the depth and detail that made his humanitarian themes resonate, while the film--directed with Scandinavian sobriety by Lasse Hallström--is often vague about the complex issues (abortion, incest, responsibility) that lie at its core. Allowing for this ambiguity (which is arguably intentional), the film retains much of what made Irving's novel so admired, and like Hallström's earlier feature What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, it's blessed with a generous, forgiving spirit toward the mistakes, foibles, and desires of its many engaging characters.

Central to the story (set during World War II) is Homer (Tobey Maguire), a young man raised in a Maine orphanage, where the ether-sniffing Dr. Larch (Michael Caine) rules with benevolent grace while performing safe but illegal abortions. To expand his horizons, Homer follows a young couple (Charlize Theron, Paul Rudd) to do fieldwork on an apple farm, where his innocent eyes are opened to the good and evil of the world--and to the realization that not all rules are steadfast in all situations. By the time Homer returns to the orphanage, The Cider House Rules--which features one of Caine's finest performances--is memorable more for its many charming and insightful moments than for any lasting dramatic impact. Is Homer fated to come full circle in his kindhearted journey? It's left to the viewer to decide. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com essential video

Never again will I see it

That was one of the worst movies I ever saw. I glad I did not pay for it. It seemed like it went through all kinds of justifications to say that it is okay to tell somone a lie. Repeatedly someone was lied to and they did not abject. Every was very calm in the movie It was like they were on come calming drug. They told all the kids that one kid was adpoted but he actually died. They were many other deceptions in the book. The had a definite slant against oranized religion. How could he perform an abortion so well if he had just watched the doctor.

At first toby said earler in the movie that adults should be responsibe for their actions then later on he changed his mind.

It seemed like was trying to make fun of kids saying they were glad to be alive instead of being aborted. they said something like if we were not here we would not be experiencing this pleasure.

There are many people that could have been aborted for many reasons but they have made amazing contributions to society.

It made it look the kids should have never been born. They were in such a deppressing place and they longed to be adpopted and once you got to old you never were.

Other strong pro abortion propaganda

They had to make a very strong agruement for abortion they felt everyone would agree with. So they had a father get his daughter pregant. The writer felt this a a compelling agrument for abortion that every one would side with. I am still not convinced . December 2, 2008

Perfect mix

The story line on this film isn't funny or have necessarily a happy ending...or not that much. But it does touch your heart with a message about finding your own life, goals even if that means leaving everything that has been your whole life with nothing but a bit of clothes and food for the road.

It's raw, harsh and even tough to swollow, but nevertheless, a great film with a HUGE cast (left aside that Charlize Theron is the most beautiful woman in the world, and is half naked here) performing brilliantly in a story that narrates an orphan's life who grew up helping the resident doctor in performing abortions and decides to give up his life to find his true destiny which leads him to hop on a journey with a couple which had gone to have an abortion, and lead to an apple farm. Deception, morale issues, passionate love, forbidden love, sadness, happiness and many many moments to capture and take to your heart will make you watch this movie more than once for sure. Must by DVD. November 29, 2008

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

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