The Cider House Rules (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: Wonderful story, good acting, great scenery
Disadvantages: A little more character development would be nice

...a two-hour period, much of the detail and even significant parts of the story line must be left out. That is certain the case with 'The Cider House Rules'. John Irving’s novel had much more character development, naturally (as a book can always reveal the interior lives of characters much more fully than can any theatrical treatment), but I was a bit disappointed that significant plot developments (such as Homer’s relationships away from St. Clouds) ... Read review

Advantages: Got a Sunday afternoon free? This is perfect.
Disadvantages: Leisurely pace may make some people fidget.

It’s easy to get the wrong idea. When I heard the title of this movie, I imagined it spoken in a thick Southern Californian accent – “Thu Cider House rools, dude!”. Thank the stars *that* doesn’t happen. And when I found out Michael Caine was making a comeback, I imagined him in Cock-er-nee tones, threatening people and saying “bladdy ‘ell!” Again, the stars are to be thanked. This is not a typical Caine ... Read review

Advantages: True to the book, excellent cast, beautiful settings
Disadvantages: Problematic topic, sometimes confusing (just like an Irving story)

...ever completely lived up to the expectations of readers who loved the books. On the other hand, sometimes if one sees a movie first and then reads the book because they loved the film, the book might be a disappointment. However, with "Cider House Rules", I'm not sure that we haven't come as close to equals in both a great read and great watch as is humanly possible. I'm a long-standing (and good faith) fan of John Irving. Many would have started ... Read review

Advantages: Great stuff at all, great soundtrack
Disadvantages: none

...an outstanding one. That was the reason why I wanted to own this DVD by myself. If I think that this is a real outstanding masterpiece you may read in my following opinion. The DVD: The Cider House Rules The Cider House Rules is based upon the successful novel of John Irving. Famous director Lasse Hallström is responsible for the film version. The readers who have already read the complex novel, will quickly find out that this difficult adaptation ... Read review

Advantages: beautifully and delicately written
Disadvantages: michael caine's maine accent

..."the cider house rules" for the first time the other night. I must say that my early and initial reactions to the film were "why is Michael Caine not a cockney? He sounds silly" and "surely they could have gotten someone else other than Peter Parker to play Homer?". These fairly plausible questions and thoughts were soon extinguished and deemed pedantoic when i was soon drawn into this delicately steady story of an emotionally immune orphan and his ... Read review

Advantages: Great story to work from and Caine is surprisingly good.
Disadvantages: The length will deter some people.

Don’t take that the wrong way....it’s been a long fight to get this film on the screen, that’s all (the book having been published in 1985....the author having wrote his first draft of the film in 1986). In both cases, John Irving makes an impassioned case for the rights of abortion which on the whole are convincing (unless, you’re a staunch pro-rights activist which of course, means that the film is complete piffle....). Tobey ... Read review

Advantages: Great acting, well driected, well written - a good film
Disadvantages: None

...Caine’s accent is quite dodgy!). The nurses and midwives love him and the children adore him. He likes to try and make the orphans as comfortable as he can, their stay there a happy one. One of his orphans is Homer Wells, played by Tobey Maguire (of Spider-Man fame). Larch treats Wells like a son, training him (unofficially) in the works of medicine. Grooming him, in fact, for his job. But Wells is not happy and wants to see what there is other ... Read review

Advantages: Good drama
Disadvantages: Bit predictable

...fan of films set before the 1980’s but I though I would pick this up based on the strenght of reviews and the fact that Tobey Maguire is in it. I was ppleasantly surprised! Set partly in St Clouds orphanage in Maine, New England, Tobey Maguire is an orphan who grows up in the orphanage without being adopted. The head of the orphanage, Michael Caine (in an Oscar winning performance) takes him under his wing and trains him to be a doctor, more ... Read review

Advantages: Lovely story and great acting
Disadvantages: a bit slow for some maybe

The Cider House Rules recieved its first terrestrial broadcast the other day just as I was sitting in front of the tv bored out of my skull! So, as you do, I watched it. Good descision! The film is based on the book by John Irving and is set around an orphanage in Maine, New England called St. Cloud's (and directed by Lasse Hallstrom). Here we meet Dr. Larch (Michael Caine), a loving, caring doctor who treats and looks after unwanted children and ... Read review

Advantages: Wonderful, heart-warming drama.
Disadvantages: None whatsoever.

...of this film after watching the trailer was one of disinterest. I avoided watching at the cinema which, in hindsight, I later came to regret because when I did finally give the film a chance and watched it on DVD I was amazed and suprised by how brilliant this film is. Seldom do I watch films that are affective on so many levels and can induce a strong emotional response within me. The blend of great performances from a fantastic cast, exceptional ... Read review

Advantages: The story line is released slowly so but not to slow so the audience does not get bored
Disadvantages: It is quiet a sad story

...his own best-seller, this is the extraordinary story of one boy's journey into maturity in the 1940s. Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) grew up in a sheltered existence at an orphange in St. Clouds, Maine, under the kindly, paternal care of ether-addicted Dr. Larch (Michael Caine) who, each night, after reading a chapter from Charles Dickens, bid the wistful, unwanted boys a poignant "Good night, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England." As Larch's ... Read review