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Sentimental but well-told, visually beautiful and enjoyable story of an orphanage and the moral dilemmas of abortion, exploring emotional issues from leaving home and fatherhood, to first love, self-discovery and the burdens of responsibility. "Sometimes you have to break the rules to make things right."

Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine) runs an orphanage located at the isolated train stop St. Cloud's, Maine. Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) was twice rejected in adoptions and grows up to be Larch's apprentice. Larch teaches him everything including performing abortions but he disagrees on abortions. Everybody loves him. In 1943, Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd) and girlfriend Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron) come for an abortion. Homer decides to leave the orphanage with them to everyone's chagrin including Dr. Larch. He works at their apple farm staying in their Cider House with the seasonal workers. Wally goes off to war. Candy and Homer start an affair together. Dr. Larch is setting up for Homer to return as the new doctor in the orphanage as Larch fakes all the medical credentials even without Homer's approval.

The movie floats through many points and many themes in this story. The movie opens with a slow but interesting orphanage story. When Homer leaves the orphanage, the movie diffuses the attention between him and back at the orphanage. It is still interesting but the movie loses some of the little intensity. The romance lacks a certain heat. I don't think Tobey Maguire is a particularly good romantic lead. The story does have a nice slow burn. It's a fascinating dark poetic feel that keeps pulling back the audience. It takes some dark turns. The movie is based on a novel. Like many of these adaptations, it's a tough thing to squeeze a large book into a much shorter form.

Cider House Rules has long been one of my favorite novels, one of the few I have read twice, and one I frequently recommend to close friends. I think this colored my impression of the movie. I was hoping for the depth of the written work, but didn't see it. Compared with the character development in the novel (which is probably an unfair comparison) the film's characters seemed more two-dimensional. This said, I think the film's casting is true to the novel.

On the surface "The Cider House Rules" (1999) is a quality period piece about life at an apple orchard and orphanage in Maine during WWII. Tobey Maguire stars as Homer Wells, who was raised at a remote orphanage and favored by caretaker Dr. Larch (Michael Caine), who imparts his vast medical knowledge & skills to the young man. At the age of 21 Homer decides to leave the orphanage with a couple that stopped by for an illegal abortion and ends up working at an apple orchard. Will he ever return?

It's the subtext where the film soars for those interested in ruminations on the complexities of morality and the place that outward or inward rules play.

Here's a taste: The movie contrasts outer rules with innate moral rules. The former can be broken as it suits the individual without any ill-effects, like the cider house rules in the film or stepping over the wall at Niagara Falls to get a better picture; innate moral rules, however, cannot be broken without severe consequences. To illustrate, the apple workers rightly mock the cider house rules made by people who don't know what it's like to live & work there, but one laborer breaks a universal spiritual law and so loses a close relationship and something worse, which conveys the idea that "the wages of sin is death."

Another example involves the rules of society demanding that a person have proper credentials in order to do the work Dr. Larch performs, and understandably so, but official credentials on a wall are irrelevant in regards to some people, like Homer, who's thoroughly expert at his craft, credentials or no credentials. And so Larch creates fake "proper" credentials to appease officials and patients.

Also, Wally & Candy (Paul Rudd & Charlize Theron) impulsively have an illegal abortion at the beginning of the movie but, by the end, it doesn't look like they're going to have very wild sex anymore (which is different than saying they won't have any sexual relations). They no doubt strongly regret deciding to break the rules and have an abortion, which was illegal at the time.

Obviously the movie's not far Left or far Right; it's somewhere in the middle in its realistic reflections on moral complexities and ambiguities. Both sides of the abortion debate, for instance, are presented. And, while it could be argued that the movie somewhat supports the pro-choice position, it doesn't neglect to convey the conservative view and effectively shows how the debate is more complex than black or white. For example, if a man forces his self on a woman and she gets pregnant, the life within her is not there by her choice and therefore she arguably has the right to abort that life with the blood of the child being on the head of the impregnating male.

Elsewhere, Homer argues the conservative position, suggesting that people should be responsible enough to control themselves BEFORE a woman is impregnated and the ugly issue of abortion rears its head. Dr. Larch later remarks that he wishes the world were as idealistic as Homer sees it, but instead we're stuck with an intricately phukked up planet where people make wrong choices all the time, which have a negative domino effect.

The film runs 2 hours, 6 minutes and was shot in Northampton, Massachusetts (orphanage); Dummerston, Vermont (orchard); Bernard, Corea and Sand Beach, Maine; as well as surrounding New England locations.

GRADE: B+

I must admit, I thought this to be a very odd movie. But I also liked it quite a bit. Tobey MacGuire and Michael Caine, both, were excellent. Indeed, there were no poor performances in this movie. A fairly compelling story about the unusual experiences of one young man raised in an orphanage. Movies that provoke any degree of thought or introspection, these days, are rare. This one does just that, substantially.

Film Review for Cider House Rules

The Main character of this film, Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), is an orphan whom grew up in an orphanage in St. Cloud's Maine. Homer was adopted a couple of times and returned both times. He was not a fit for the adopting parents and they were not a fit for him. The head of the orphanage, Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine), sort of become a father figure to Homer and he unofficially and informally trains Homer in Obstetrics and performing abortions. Homer never even attended high school. Dr. Larch is addicted to ether and shows him using it throughout the film. Homer does not like performing abortions. The theme consists of a boy growing up in a orphanage and is taken under the wing of the director (doctor) of the facility and trained to be a doctor in obstetrics and is looking for something different in life. He finds out that life is complex and finally decides to return to the orphanage, because he realizes that it is meant for him to be a doctor like his mentor. Throughout the film Homer befriends Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd) and Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron) and leaves the orphanage with them after Candy receives an abortion. They take Homer to their family's apple orchid where he works. Then Wally goes overseas during World War II. Homer and Candy begins to have an affair. Wally's plane is shot down and returns home paralyzed. Homer is picking apples with black workers and is staying at the Worthington Estate in the Cider House. The workers are supervised by Arthur Rose (Delroy Lindo). Mr. Rose gets his own daughter pregnant named Rose Rose (Erykah Badu). Homer does not do abortions, but eventually does one in Rose's case. She wants to leave and she stabs her father, because she thought he was trying to touch her. Arthur tells Homer and another worker to tell the law that it was a suicide. Homer learns of Dr. Larch's death due to an overdose of ether and decides to return to the St. Cloud Orphanage and takes his place there. Another film by Irving is The World According to Garp which has an appropriateness to theme. This consists of love, drama,and tragedy. Thus, showing some similarities of the two films. The lighting of The Cider House Rules seems to show the relevance of the theme in regards to the mood and atmosphere. The orphanage lighting seems somewhat dim to display the underfunding and sadness of the parent less children. However, there was a good portion of natural light. The natural light that appears in the outdoor scenes and in the cider house; shows that there is friendship, love and just the warm feeling of the environment. The Motif of the film which included mainly the beauty of the natural environment along with the sounds and the array of beautiful colors that constantly appears throughout the film. The theme consists a great deal of morale issues and complexity of relationships.

TOBEY MAGUIRE is really the heart and soul of this moving story about a boy's coming of age, his troubled young manhood and then his decision to return to the orphanage where Dr. Wilbur Larch (MICHAEL CAINE) rules everything with an iron hand and a warm heart. It's the kind of story Charles Dickens would have loved and depressing at times.

Maguire's taste of freedom (which results when he leaves the orphanage, has a brief affair with CHARLIZE THERON) and becomes mired in a sub-plot involving abortion and incest, is all dramatized with sensitivity that gives the whole story a very poignant flavor. The crisp color photography of New England during various seasons is also a plus factor.

If you're looking for a warm-hearted tale of intense character relationships that moves at a rather leisurely pace (and has the feel of a Merchant-Ivory film at times), this is your ticket. MICHAEL CAINE truly deserved his Supporting Role Oscar.

Highly recommended.

This is a brilliant movie, with some amazing performances. I thought that Tobey Maguire played Homer Wells perfectly, and Michael Caine deserved his Oscar win. There were other great performances from the likes of Paul Rudd, Charlize Theron, Kieran Culkin and Erik Per Sullivan. I really enjoyed watching it, and several parts gave me a lump in my throat. I would definitely recommend this to anyone over 12.

7/10

I found the film to be worth the time spent watching it, but I don't think it will be one of my highly recommended films. Nor will it be one that I will find myself watching again in the near future as it didn't have any kind of emotional impact on me. Pleasing to the eye; small moments where the film really is enjoyable; and an overall pleasant after-taste. No award-winning performances, but solid nonetheless.

"Sometimes you gotta break some rules to put things straight." Not something you can learn by observing someone else; not if your life is to be guided by that statement. That, in essence, is what I saw this film to be about. It's funny that some critics chose to jump on the abortion issue raised in the film. I chose to see it as simply an issue to show Homer's level of maturity and understanding of the world. Funny thing is: I'm not sure there really is any resolution on that particular issue and I believe it was the intention of the Director to leave it that way. Your opinion may differ, but that's the way I left it.

I'm sure I'll watch again sometime... I just don't think I'll be rushing to do it.

Overall, I think that "The Cider House Rules" was quite a good film. It stood out as an excellent example of filmmaking, editing, and cinematography. However, in acting it is only moderately good. Often, I consider good acting to be the ability to make me, as a viewer, forget that these _are_ actors, and that they actually are the people they're portraying. That kind of experience is, unfortunately, rare. *shrug* And was I the only one who thought that Tobey Macguire looks far, FAR too young to be bedding Charlize Theron?

Again, a good film, but not the one I'll be rooting for come the Academy Awards.

Rating: 7/10.

Beautiful and sad, the movie spends too much of itself sentimentalising and romanticising the lives of its characters. The orphanage is populated by appealing, attractive waifs. You'll want to pack up a bunch of them and take them home yourself! The caretakers are all conscientious, caring, responsible, and competent -- were things ever so nice in a real 20's-vintage New England orphanage? The subplots bear the cartoonish imprint of John Irving, in a way that makes it more difficult than it should be to suspend disbelief.

Nevertheless, the performances are beautifully done. Michael Caine is great in his customary fashion -- he breathes life into his role with honesty, humour, and the ease which surrounds the performances of many true artists. Tobey Maguire is a very talented young man with a lot to give. The rest of the cast is impressive, almost to the very last of them. All around, there is a lot of power in this movie. If you're not sure whether to see it or not ... see it.

I did not read John Irving's novel, and wonder if I should after seeing this film. He wrote the screenplay, and so must be happy with it; as a viewer, I was left wondering if we were meant to get a message about abortion or a larger, more profound sense of finding one's niche in the world. As far as the abortion issue goes, see Citizen Ruth, with Laura Dern. Other than that, this was a well-acted, rather sweet coming of age story.

This movie is an interesting mix of basic drama and controversial ideas. Unfortunately, I found the plot to be distractingly predictable; so much so that I ended up giving the film a much lower rating than it might otherwise deserve. The solid performances were its saving grace. Tobey McGuire has an amazing gift of conveying honesty and strength, and the supporting characters added a wonderful richness to the film. Most of all, I appreciate any movie that reminds us that, in the words of the band Rush, "if you choose not to decide/you still have made a choice."

I recommend this film to those who enjoy drama and who can put aside the problems with its predictability.

I liked this movie overall. Story was predictable but enjoyed it anyways. Charlize Theron (Candy Kendall) was way too much woman for Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire). Homer seemed too 'wide-eyed' at times that distracted from his otherwise interesting role. Highly recommend this movie. 7/10.

Quiet story of the journey of achieving emotional maturity and finding yourself in life. Tobey Maguire was quite engaging in the lead role, I enjoyed his performance very much. It's nice to see that Charlize Theron is NOT just another pretty face, she displayed her acting talents well. Michael Caine was also very good, but his winning the Oscar seemed more a political happening (seems that way to me all the time any more) than an artistic one.

Beautiful cinematography, beautiful music and solid performances lift this above sentimental rubbish. Caine is sound - disregard the Oscar he's not that good - Maguire shines - when will filmmakers realise this should be the stuff of film stars, you know? Talent!!! - Badu impresses and Theron is beautiful. Too many storylines spoil it though as not one of them is investigated fully which is a shame because this could and should have been one of the classics of the 90s.

Orphanages... loads of adorable kids waiting to be adopted, a caring doctor (played by Michael Caine) whose goodnight to the kids is very Shakepearean in tone. (You may have seen the trailer.) Bring along lots of hankies - you're in for a nice old-fashioned, tearful sitting. Tobey Maquire is, well, Tobey Maguire -- at least as I've seen him in Wonder Boys. The acting is uniformly fine, especially Delroy Lindo, who I don't believe I've seen before. There is a bit on abortion, and I suppose that if you are strictly anti-abortion, this aspect of the picture won't endear you to it. But it's basically a growing up picture with (what I think is) a weak ending. But bring your hankies anyway.

The Cider House Rules is ultimately the story of a young man, played by Tobey Maguire, who has been brought up by a benevolent doctor of an orphanage, played to perfection by Michael Caine. He has been taught about doctoring and abortion by the less-than-perfect Dr. Larch (Michael Caine), who sees nothing of forging degrees for Homer (Maguire) in order to establish him as the doctor who will take over the orphanage. However, Homer longs for something else being a doctor will not give him, and so leaves the orphanage with Candy and Wally (Charlize Theron and Paul Rudd), a couple who have arrived for an abortion.

The story revolves around Homer's adventures and discoveries, with bittersweet portrayals of each character and evoking powerful emotions within the audience. The only bone I have to pick with it is that at the end of the movie, you are left with a vague idea of what the movie is really about - but not a complete view. It appears that the movie itself does not really know what message it is trying to give, which is a shame for it is a beautiful movie in all other aspects.

Great acting from Michael Caine and even from the orphanage boys.