Recensioni degli utenti

I didn't think it was possible, but one of John Irving's most difficult books was condensed by the author himself (the last third of the book is gone) into a very very good movie. All the acting is great (especially the nice low key performances by Macguire and Caine), BEAUTIFULLY shot (in Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts), a score that fits the movie like a glove and fully realized three-dimensional characters. Plot-wise there's nothing new (young man goes out to see the world, discovers himself, etc etc) but the cast makes it seem new. They all find depth in roles that have been done before--especially Caine who speaks with a very convincing Maine accent! Bring lots of tissues with you--the movie is sad and disturbing at points (all kept in the PG-13 rating however), but it has a happy ending. Well worth seeing. See it on a BIG screen--all the beautiful shoots won't work on TV.

Despite the various good reviews of the movie, I was a bit skeptical about the movie due to the fact that it was based on a John Irving novel. What I found was a warm, sweet film, that was well cast and proved to be unpredictable just when it appeared you had it figured out. Tobey Maguire gives an excellent performance as a man/boy seeking his place in the world. He is supported by an excellent cast, particularly Michael Caine, despite a number of "accent" lapses. Even though they were relegated to small roles, it was great to see Jane Alexander and Kate Nelligan on the big screen once again. Charlize Theron continues to show that she is not only beautiful, but can act in a wide range of roles as well. Interesting casting as well in using Hip-Hop/R&B artists, Erykah Badu and Heavy D in small, but important parts.

The movie was a wonderful mix of laughter, tears, and human emotion, and magnificently directed by Halle Lasström. Kudos to all those involved.

This movie will be looked at from many different views. I forgot about race and religion and watched a very good movie about the human condition. John Irving did the screenplay of his own novel. A young boy, played by Tobey Maguire, is born and raised in an orphanage. He is taught the ways of childbirth and abortion by the headmaster, Dr. Larch, played by Michael Caine. The young boy wants to be more useful in life and goes on his own way to end up working in an apple orchard and learning about lobster fishing.

The Maguire boy/man character fights with his own morals and lack of worldliness as the movie progresses. The predictable ending probably couldn't have been any better. Life happens. Bad things often happen to good people. This movie does question your thoughts of humanity.

I found raw emotion, humor and tenderness in this movie. The story is set in Maine; but actually filmed in Vermont and Connecticut too. Scenery is awesome. Maguire's timid, monotone character does take some getting used to. Caine was very good. Charlize Theron proved that not only is she beautiful, but she can act as well. Erykah Badu did extremely well in a small, but important role. This movie is worthy of its many Oscar nominations.

Part of the charm of "Cider House Rules", a coming-of-age movie with Tobey Maguire at the center, is the finesse with which it presents itself as a "feel good" movie when most of the characters have precious little to feel good about. The film could easily have had a harder edge to it. However, the makers of this carefully crafted film tiptoe so adroitly around such issues as abortion, murder, infidelity, and incest as to leave the audience with an ample helping of the warm and fuzzies. The film deserves high marks for enjoyability and for bringing back the charm of Hollywood's golden years.

After going thru all the comments, the least I can do is to agree with all of them. The movie, due to its subject matter, could have easily turned into a cheesy movie of the week, but it avoids this marvelously thanks to some great performances, great character direction and a beautiful photography. This is indeed a standard "coming-of-age" story. Not having read the book, I still felt the story condensed, and some of its other threads not fully realized, like the subject of abortion which starts very strongly, but then fades for a while only to come back later at the end. Much better and subtle is the depiction of race in the early part of the 20th century, although some African-Americans might find it a little offensive to them. Delroy Lindo gives an astounding performance with so very little. Erykah Badu is a revelation. Michael Caine is at his best, and shows the younger cast what acting is all about. Tobey Maguire is likeable as usual, but gives a performance similar to his role in Pleasantville -with little or no emotion and seeming to have more insight into other character's lives than John Irving, the author, himself. This worked great in Pleasantville, but it was wrong for this movie. While sometimes melodramatic and predictable, the story does deliver its punches well and you shouldn't be ashamed to let a tear wash your cheeks. Come Oscar time, you won't see The Cider House Rules in any big category, but still it is a movie that will play well and be enjoyed by many.

I had heard people talk about this movie and I got curious. Normally i don't like Tobey Maguire but I decided to give this movie a chance and I'm glad that I did. It is a very heartwarming story and you fall in love with all of the characters. Charlize Theron who is always a great actress didn't lower my expectations of her at all. The only thing wrong with the movie is that her and Paul Rudd didn't really to seem to have any chemistry. The parts in the orphanage are heartbreaking especially when people come to adopt the children and poor Curley is left at the orphanage every time. I recommend going to see this movie it definitely makes you think.

Not surprising, since John Irving did it himself. I'm biased, since I loved the book so much, but it has all the poetry and beauty of the book. I cried in the same places. Tobey Maguire is the perfect Homer Wells. The casting, overall, is perfect. I was so glad to see the wondrous Paul Rudd playing something other than a gay man too. I'm devastated that one of the choices Irving made was to drop the character of Melony (she was my favorite), but I suppose you can't have everything.

As a movie, there were a few too many extreme close-ups for me, but overall, it flowed beautifully. And I know it's going to get a lot of flack for being this "abortion movie" (as the book did for tackling the subject), but the movie, if anything puts the whole subject in relief. Like "Dead Man Walking" did with capital punishment, this movie shows that there are no easy answers to the whole abortion question. But every once in awhile, under the right circumstances, you just gotta...break the rules.

One of the best movies of the year.

I just got back from seeing a preview of the movie. It was wonderful. Toby McGuire is fabulous as the innocent and almost benevolent Homer. I cried a number of times. Th plot is very interesting, but it left me a little unsatisfied. I felt some areas of the plot were well developed and others weren't. I also felt that the director didn't leave enough time for the audience to fully connect to what was going on. I wanted to cry, but there would be a swift scene change which left one feeling raw. However, I truly recommend this movie. Its wonderful.

John Irving is one of my favorite contemporary novelists and this is the 4'th book he wrote to make it to the big screen. (others are: The World According to Garp, The Hotel New Hampshire, and Simon Birch- which was loosely based on A Prayer for Owen Meany). I was very excited to learn that Mr. Irving himself had written the screenplay for this version and was not disappointed. Even though it has been well over 10 years since I read the novel, it was one that left a lasting impression and the movie is very true to the book. John Irving is a master of character development and tells a good tale filled with social and moral implications. Another favorite of mine, Michael Caine, does his usual fine job, as do all the other actors, including all of the child actors portraying orphans. A bit of trivia...John Irving has a walk on role as the Stationmaster and one of his sons has a small speaking role, as well. This is an intelligent and poignant film that I rated as an 8.

This is a movie that will touch your heart and challenge your beliefs. It shows how life forces you to to what has to be done, even if it's not what you want to do. The characters are well developed and will touch your heart.

The key to understanding Cider House Rules is in the title itself. Roger Ebert says he's not really sure what the movie is about. Other critics have become embroiled in a rather heated debate about the politics of the film since Michael Caine plays a doctor who runs an orphanage and performs illegal abortions from time to time. Some have accused the film of being pro-choice propaganda; others have depicted it as a balanced treatment of the subject. For this reviewer the debate misses the point, because the point of the film is, I think, a bit more philosophical and abstract. The moral philosophy of the film is, in the words of Sartre, that we are "condemned to freedom."

Tobey Maguire plays Homer Wells, the focal point of the film. Homer has grown up in an orphanage in Maine, and ends up as one of the "unpicked", that is, one of the children who hopes to be adopted, but never is--at least, formally. As Homer grows into adolescence, Dr. Larch, the head of the orphanage takes Homer under his wings and teaches Homer medicine. He also tries to teach Homer how to perform abortions, but Homer is passionately opposed. As Homer approaches adulthood, he decides that it is time for him to find his own way. He leaves the orphanage, and ends up picking apples, discovering the larger world, and falling in love. Homer makes more than a few mistakes along the way. Perhaps it is not an accident that it is an orchard that initially seems like Eden for Homer. Homer discovers what a burden it is to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and this is where he confronts the cider house rules.

The film is thoroughly existential in its themes and moral philosophy. I am not particularly troubled by this. The best films are those films that make me think, not those that tell me what to think in a rather heavy-handed way. I believe in God as the ground and source of all truth. I also believe that we see through a glass darkly, and must therefore, "work out our salvation with fear and trembling." It is in this sense that we are condemned to freedom.

The story, performances, and visual artistry are excellent. John Irving (Simon Birch, The World According to Garp) wrote the novel and the screenplay. Lasse Hallstrom (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Something to Talk About, My Life as a Dog) directs the story with tenderness and an eye for nuances in relationships--as is the case in his previous films. There are clear similarities between the central character here and Hallstrom's characters in What's Eating Gilbert Grape and My Life as a Dog. Michael Caine turns in a solid performance as Dr. Larch and Tobey Maguire is perfect as Homer Wells. This is a thoughtful story well told. Still, this is not a film for all. The PG-13 rating and the previews understate the mature themes of the film, and some are offended by the film's treatment of abortion. I found the film to be thoughtful and artfully done. Consistent with the theme of the film, you will have to decide for yourself.

If you enjoy films that furtively draw you in as they gradually reveal their world, it's inhabitants and their doings, this a cinematic stopover for you. Lasse Hallström's gentle coming of age film is such a heartfelt labor of love, you quickly forgive it's obvious predictability.

Magnificently photographed, and laced with a haunting recurring musical theme, it's stellar leads and supporting cast capture perfectly the tone and feel of the material. No great surprises or ground breaking grandness here, just a beautifully made film about life, love, choice and the human condition.

So many ethical and philosophical issues wove and twisted themselves through the characters and plot in such an intricate way that my head hurt after watching the movie. This was a gritty portrayal of a hidden but real part of our past Americana, and in some ways of today as well. The whole issue of "what rules are for whom" and "what rules do you choose to govern yourself" was deeply thought-provoking. A feeling of isolation pervading various characters despite being with others was also intriguing. And it seemed that it was within each character's own isolation that the question of rules was to be asked and decided. (My head is beginning to hurt again.) In many ways, this was a great movie, but not something to watch after coming home after a tough day at the office.

The Cider House Rules was not a film I really cared to see, it didn't look very intriguing in my opinion. But, intriguing was not the word for this piece of filmmaking. Brilliant is a more deserved word.

Academy Award winning Michael Caine is the benevolent, ether-sniffing Dr. Larch, who runs a remote orphanage and performs illegal abortions for desperate women. Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) is delivered, raised and loved by the doctor, who expects Homer to succeed him. But Homer longs to experience the world and find his own way. And when glamorous bomber pilot Wally (Paul Rudd) arrives on the scene, Homer's odyssey of love and betrayal begins, with narration from Caine and the affectionate, sarcastic correspondence between the father figure and the innocent abroad bridging the two. Inevitably, the crisis demands that Homer makes some difficult choices.

Many dramas are beautiful, but sometimes just downright boring. If you think The Cider House Rules is ever going to be boring, think again. No, it isn't a marvellously never-ending thriller with action sequences every 15 minutes, but the plot twists are beautifully stringed together and the connection of the characters is entertaining and lovely. The actors are all extremely impressive, Tobey Maguire is perfect for the role of Homer, while Charlize Theron, Paul Rudd and Michael Caine make for an engaging supporting cast. The direction from the well-known Swedish mastermind Lasse Hallstrom is amazing, it is hard not to stand up and cheer for his effort that went into The Cider House Rules.

Beautiful, memorable, realistic and intriguing, The Cider House Rules is strongly recommended to all audiences.

I rate The Cider House Rules 9 out of 10.

The Cider House Rules (1999) challenges many morals and beliefs. The film is focused on topics that are still rather controversial today, abortion, addiction, and racism. John Irving does a fabulous job bringing his novels to life in this film. Homer Wells, played by Toby Maguire, struggles with his moral standards and what is being taught to him under the direction of Dr. Larch played by Michael Caine. Homer is a twice-returned orphan that grew up in the orphanage that Dr. Larch runs.

The film follows Homer through his struggle to accept practices Dr. Larch offers, to him venturing out into the world with a couple that he met at the orphanage that were seeking Dr. Larch's services. The story is set in the pre- and post- World War II era, is well done. Vehicles, clothing, language, are a few of the many things that were excellently displayed for the time. The angles and lighting played a huge part in capturing the era. The dimply lit orphanage really pulled the viewer in allowing them to process and absorb the emotion of the scene. Many of the scenes from the orphanage were dark and gloomy to match the feelings being presented by the children living there.

When Homer sees the ocean for the first time, the lighting is cheerful and serene even given the fact that the day is overcast. There is a calmness and intense sense of greatness while watching Homer take in the sights and sounds of the ocean. There was an intense focus on sounds in this scene as well which really heightened how the viewer would find themselves emotionally committed to Homer's experience.

Having been morally challenged with topics such as abortion and racism, Homer finds himself in a scenario where he needs to choose how he can help a friend from the orchard where he works. Homer is faced with many decisions that he feels he must approach in an ethical manner. I personally felt very connected with the characters in this film. I could relate and sympathize with many of the situations at hand, which I think was one of John Irving's priorities with this film.

This was a time of war and in this remote land, away from the community comes an orphanage were people go for an abortion. Then this orphan, weak in the heart, founds love, from the doctor, and care taker, from an unlikely girl.

It is a sad movie with romance in the mix, and a bit of historical background since the war did take part in the endings of the movie. There are many questions that comes up from watching this. The problems of the society, the nature of people, in people left behind, loyalty from those left behind, the irresponsibility and frailty in people, and the cruelty in them. The doctor who resembles the fatherly love of boundless and endless proportion has in his mind the cruelty of people and lost hope from them but not the orphan whom he, the doctor made time to take care of.

Afterwards what happens, when people, a couple, do an abortion, do we see regret? Do we see remorse, satisfaction, or perhaps nothing? Questions. At the later part of the story, we see why. Mistakes, and things do why they do this things. Religion also comes in to part in this. The story do tackle a lot of fragile subjects in our society.

In terms of who should watch this, it is in my good perspective that the entertainment value of this is subjected for adults. The problems are for adults. the issues, questions, and subjects are for the adult. But I do think it is also important of young adults be aware of this things, since there are a kind of an adult

Wonderful characterizations by Michael Caine and Delroy Lindo, and all the rest. The kids were wonderful, and Mr Caine's relationship with them was more than acting! The storyline has a marvelous blend of predictability and surprise and the cinematography is supurb. A very gentle treatment of the question of abortion, thankfully not from and in-your-face 'rights' perspective (on either side), but from the heart of the people. Whatever your personal position is, this is thought provoking.

I enjoyed The Cider House Rules. Compared to The World According to Garp or Simon Birch, it's not as quirky as many other movies based on John Irving books. Tobey Maguire plays one of his quiet observer roles again; but he's someone who just wants to keep things calm. Michael Caine gives a nice performance as the pragmatic doctor but his accent is so flat it's like a newscaster's.

I happened to see Cider House and Simon Birch on the same day and Cider House did a much better job at portraying a very particular time and place.

I liked Delroy Lindo's performance very much also. He has a very thankless role (and wasn't nominated for anything at Oscar time but probably should have), but was particularly good. A few reviewers have complained about the way his character was written, but I have to disagree. There are millions of people out there like Delroy Lindo who are intelligent, "normal" people to most but are monsters in their private lives.

Conservatives, Fundamentalist Christians, and Pro-Lifers will automatically dislike THE CIDER HOUSE RULES on principle. Although such individuals may couch their criticism in terms of script, actors, and production values, the cause for their dislike is the film's highly existentialistic tone re personal values, its pro-choice stance re abortion, and the fairly compelling argument it makes in favor of that position. Set during World War II, CIDER HOUSE is the story of a child named Homer(Tobey Maguire) raised in a Maine orphanage by stubborn but likable Dr. Larch (Michael Caine), who trains Homer in medical arts. As Homer comes of age, however, he becomes increasingly unhappy with Dr. Larch's tight grip and extremely displeased with the fact that Dr. Larch also casually provides safe but highly illegal abortions to women who demand them. Consequently, Toby sets off to see the world--and finds himself working in an apple orchard, where he lives in "the cider house" with black seasonal farm workers.

There is a great deal to recommend this film. Although Tobey Maguire sometimes overplays the innocence of the character, his performance of the unworldly Homer is generally effective; the real stars of the film, however, are Michael Caine, who brings remarkable humanity to the difficult role of Dr. Larch, and Charlize Theron, with whom Homer falls in love. The supporting cast--which includes Delroy Lindo, Jane Alexander, Kathy Baker, and Erykah Badu--is quite fine. The cinematography is remarkably beautiful, and although not necessarily memorable in terms of dialogue the script is quite effective.

Still, the film tends to rely more upon mood than upon actual substance, and as such becomes increasingly predictable as the action progresses, and most viewers will know how the story will end by the time they reach the film's midway point; it also has a very leisurely feel that some viewers will read as slow. Although it forms the crux of the conflict between Homer and Dr. Larch, the issue of abortion is never really fully explored and is presented in a rather one-sided (although very effective) manner. Those expecting an intense, fast-paced drama will be disappointed, and as previously noted pro-life viewers will despise the film from the word go; even so, and in spite of its occasional failings, most viewers will find it thought-provoking, extremely touching, and quite memorable.

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer

The Cider House Rules is a great movie with a well developed plot and a very talented cast. It is a very hard hitting movie that deals with some very surreal themes. As we follow Homer Wells leave the orphanage that he spent his whole life in, we get to experience a young, naive man seeing the world for the first time, and being put in to his shoes in such an effective way by the writer and director makes it feel like it is our first time as well.

I have to agree with the late great Roger Ebert in saying that this movie has far too many sub plots that is barely gets a chance to touch on several of them. I understand that it is based on a book that had all these stories, which works out fine for a novel, with a movie, however, it would have been far easier to cut it down to under five stories that could fit in to a two hour gap effectively.

The cast is phenomenal from beginning to end, Tobey Maguire delivers a rich, layered performance, and his chemistry with Charlize Theron makes for an effective on screen relationship that is without a doubt one of the movies highlights. Michael Caine delivers one of his most versatile performances to date in this role, playing a loud, well spoken Amerocan, he showcases his range and takes home an Academy Award for this role, which he could not deserve more.

Slow moving plot that is a pleasure to watch unfold. Well written with top notch performances, The Cider House Rules is certainly worth the watch for anyone looking for a good drama.

A young medic clashes with his mentor at the orphanage where he was raised and takes a job on a cider farm.

Best Performance: Michael Caine

If you loved the book then you might be disappointed by the film adaptation of The Cider House Rules done by the author John Irving himself.

Irving condenses the time-span and gets rid of many of the novel's subplots.

Dr Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine) runs an orphanage of abandoned children in an isolated New England town of St Cloud. He raises orphan Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) as his medical apprentice after he was twice rejected by adoptive parents.

Under Larch's supervision he is in essence an unqualified doctor. Wells also reluctantly performs abortions. Larch carries out the abortions because the alternative for the women is much worse with dangerous backstreet abortions.

In 1943, Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd) and girlfriend Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron) come for an abortion, Wally is a soldier. Homer is unable to serve in the war because of his weak heart decided he wants to experience the world and leaves with them even though he is popular at the orphanage and Dr Larch treats him like a son.

Homer works at the Worthington's apple farm staying in their Cider House with the seasonal workers who are mainly black and illiterate. The workers never realised the rules posted in the Cider House as no one told them about it or explained it to them. They certainly could not read it.

Wally goes off to war and soon Candy and Homer begin a passionate affair. Back at the orphanage the staff hope he will return soon he regularly writes letters to them. Dr Larch sets up fake qualifications in order to pave way for Homer's return as the new doctor in the orphanage one day.

The film has a central theme about rules and how they are set and made to follow by those who do not realise that if the people who the rules are for can read them, understand them or know what purpose they are for. This applies to the Cider House rules which is presumably for the worker's safety and the rules against abortion which is more biblical.

Surrounding these issues we have the unwanted kids at the orphanage and the love given to them by Dr Larch and his staff who try to shield them away in this remote part of Maine from the big bad world as best they could. It helps that the kids are sweet, some get adopted, some stay until they grow old enough. A few die because their health is not strong enough.

The film goes to and fro from the orphanage to Homer as he enjoys his life at the orchard and his illicit affair with Candy. He also gets mixed up with the dramas of the workers as one of the women has an unwanted pregnancy. However things take a turn when Wally returns from action paralysed and Dr Larch's health worsens and Homer feels the need to return to the orphanage.

The film is a sweet tale with dark themes which can blind side you with the scenes involving the young kids watching King Kong. It is a film of Homer being protected from the world and discovering it himself the good and the bad.

Caine gives a strong performance as the kindly Dr Larch. An actor who was never good at accents but gives a good New England flavour here. He won his second Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Tobey Maguire is also excellent as the sweet natured, naive but principled Homer who has the urge to become adventurous.

The film has been much shorn from the novel but is also the sweeter for it.

To create something new, there is no need to deep down the complex concepts. Sometimes, putting right and simple elements of the life together as a novel, painting, movie or any type of the art can surly bring the soul and beauty of the life to the fatigued minds. The story of the " Cider House Rules" takes place in an underdeveloped region with the simplest possible tools to live or to make an entertainment. Nonetheless, people here are amused with the deepest sense of the nature "Love". Love can make you go, make you in tears, make you meditate and make you feel back. This movie not only enjoys the very powerful screenplay, but also enjoys the actor and actress who they are into their role very well. Specifically, Tobey Maguire, he is staring in his role.

It's exactly not easy for a period film to feel magical, and this is something "The Cider House Rules" achieves almost instantly. No single element of the film feels completely original or totally inspired, but the entire package crafted by Lasse Hallstrom and John Irving has the fairy tale quality that Oscar contenders are made of.

Component number one: the voice-over narration. Michael Caine, who plays Dr. Wilbur Larch, is a narrator comparable to Morgan Freeman in "The Shawshank Redemption," and that's not a comparison to be drawn lightly. Caine's words (credit to the script noted) set the ideal tone for this kind of a drama, and the story of an orphan who grows up and longs to experience is its lucky recipient.

Although his origin story comes in fairy tale fashion, Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) isn't some child with a special gift or a misunderstood outcast; he's just seemingly fated to not find foster parents. Consequently, Dr. Larch takes Homer under his wing and trains him to be a doctor at St. Cloud, the obstetrics hospital/orphanage in middle-of-nowhere Maine where they all live.

Life at St. Cloud is isolated to say the least, and as much as Homer enjoys being a role model to the boys there, he's not ready to just assume the mantle of doctor that Larch has prepared him for. The arrival of a young couple seeking an abortion (St. Cloud had a reputation for performing them illegally), World War II pilot Wally (Paul Rudd) and his girlfriend Candy (Charlize Theron), inspires Homer to see life beyond St. Cloud.

The archetypes of "The Cider House Rules" seem all too familiar, but Homer isn't your typical clueless, naive young man whose world view gets him in trouble though he inspires. Instead, when you consider Homer's regular interactions with women and their anatomy, it's clear he's anything but prude. His sudden departure with Wally and Candy is not an act of rebellion, but of pure curiosity.

There's a lot of Peter Parker in Maguire's performance, though to be fair "Spider-Man" came three years after "Cider House." Homer is almost foolishly self assured, and Maguire dials down the wide-eyed wonder you might expect from his character.

If we're going to talk performance, however, it's Caine who takes the cake, and deserves his Oscar win. Larch is a loving father figure to Homer, overprotective at times and even hypocritical, a tad jocular and mischievous, but passionate about his work. As our elders so often do, he fails to recognize that Homer needs to experience the world in his own way, even if Larch's wisdom is worth being heeded.

Homer's time as an apple-picker and lobster-wrangler seems far from an enviable existence, so it's tough to completely empathize with his choice to abandon St. Cloud, but his blossoming relationship with Candy provides the ultimate justification in love. Homer experiences the loss of innocence he never had in his time living in the cider house, whether it be learning from the workers who he lives with or discovering love through his intimate affair with Candy.

During Homer's excursion, there's no question that something will call him back to St. Cloud. "Cider House" can't get away with hiding anything given its classic story structure and obvious tropes, but it can infuse everything with genuine emotion, and that's where it succeeds.

In terms of original thinking, "The Cider House Rules" does explore notions of family. Whereas most films lean on traditional family values in terms of themes and eliciting emotion from the audience, there's a notion in "Cider House" that suggests that the biological notion of family isn't all it's cracked up to be, and in some cases can even be detrimental to our well-being. At the same time, Homer learns that role models — people who care about us wholeheartedly no matter our circumstances — are the real necessity. Even romance takes a back seat in this notion.

Director Lasse Hallstrom presents this story in straight-forward fashion. His strength can be found in the way his style works so well in tandem with Rachel Portman's uplifting score. You could almost say that the tone of the movie dupes you into believing it's Oscar worthy, but because Irving provides such a solid story for the rest of the production, there's no trickery involved. "The Cider House Rules" is a triumph of writing to be certain.

A pleasant drama aside from a few "challenging" moments, "The Cider House Rules" has that unmistakable quality of greatness, even in its predictability. It stands as testament to how the familiar can sometimes be a great thing.

~Steven C

Thanks for reading! visit moviemusereviews.com