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“A comfortable old age is the reward of a well-spent youth. Instead of its bringing sad and mela...
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“A comfortable old age is the reward of a well-spent youth. Instead of its bringing sad and melancholy prospects of decay, it should give us hopes of eternal youth in a better world."...R Palmer
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“The Cider House Rules” is adapted by John Irwing from his novel and directed by Lasse Hallstrom. The movie is very rich in its fable and metaphor. And it is a warm and gentle carnival of all the convolutions of life. Lasse Hallstrom and Irving have carved out this movie with relaxing concentration that never slips away from the harsh realities, simultaneously holding on to the simpler moments. They together view the world with compassion.
St Clouds, Maine is an isolated but picturesque place. Those who get down from the train on to the platform will have their eyes arrested by a brick building silhouetted against a mountain ledge in the woods of New England. This is an orphanage to where people go to leave a child, to adopt a child or not to have a child. Dr Larch (Michael Caine) manages the orphanage. He is the “caretaker of many and father of none”. Homer Wells (Toby Maguire),
when he was a newborn babe, was left at the orphanage as the family that wanted to adopt him said, ”he doesn’t cry”. Babies who don’t cry, perhaps, will have a quite nature when they grow up as Homer has. Dr Larch has a special attachment towards him and Homer grows up under his umbrella of love and care. He trains and instructs him in all aspects of gynecology.
It is 1943 and Homer is narrating the story of the movie allowing a gentle sadness to pervade into our souls, in a quite tacit manner. The children live surrounded by others, but still a lonely life. Dr Larch goes through the ritual every night while the children retire to bed, saying “ Good night, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England”. Did I not feel a lump in my throat with tears flooding my eyes? Yes I did. I cried profusely looking at the innocent creations of God, seeing their tranquil and seemingly happy faces with their eyes looking far into nothingness. Lasse Hallstrom has succeeded in stirring our emotions with the painting of this situation.
Homer differs with Dr Larch on the concept of abortion that is done in the orphanage. While Dr Larch believes that he is helping the women to forget their mistakes and giving them a chance to live a corrected life, Homer emphasizes the value of the child’s life and the mother’s responsibility. Lasse Hallstrom and Irwing do not sermonize the issue, but leave it to the viewers to ponder in their own way. Homer grows up, his dreams too. He yearns to see the outside world beyond the orphanage. When Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron) arrives with her boy friend Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd) at the orphanage for an abortion, Homer feels that is the opportune moment to leave the place and he leaves with Wally and Candy. The orphanage becomes gloomier with the departure of Homer.
Homer signs as a picker at Wally’s orchard. He stays with the migrants at the Cider House. Homer finds the Cider House as a mirror image of the orphanage as the migrants live like orphans depending on one another. Rose (Delroy Rindo) is the leader of the workers and his daughter Rose ( Erykah Badu) is staying at the house. Wally leaves for his service and Homer finds enchanted with Candy.
The man in him experiences love for the first time and enjoys the forbidden fruit.
Irving’s story is simple and complex at the same time. It is original and rapt. It tells you of courage, family and self-discovery. The razor sharp story line is built up systematically and there is not a single dull moment throughout the movie. The characters have an honest, real and considerate composition. It proves that to err is human and nobody is pure.
Michael Caine has portrayed his roll with the usual brilliance. As the head of the orphanage and the protector of the children, he has shone in the roll of a man weighed down by the abandonment and the heartbreak that surround him. Toby Maguire as Homer has a bright purity and innocence and he has performed with an astute brilliance. His optimistic innocence is a treat to watch. The inmates of the Cider house have equally acted well, especially Delroy Lindo as Rose, the loving father and Erykah Badu presents a very emotional acting.
Rules are made, sometimes not to be observed, and The Cider House Rules are no exception. When you come out of the movie, you might feel a transformation, viewing the outside world, with a clearer picture of your place in it.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
Interesting review. I've not seen the movie, only read the book, which I quite enjoyed, but I'm never sure about John Irving. He can write, but he always seems to me to be writing to sell rather than writing to illuminate. Duncan
sarahbooke 27.05.2005 12:09
Another great review. I saw this film when it was at the cinema - can't remember it very well though.
In adapting his own novelThe Cider House Rulesfor the screen, John Irving sacrificed at ... more
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 vagu...
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Honored with two Academy Awards... Best Supporting Actor for Michael Caine and Best ... more
Adapted Screenplay for John Irving...The Cider House Rules tells a compelling and heartwarming story about how far a young man must travel to find the place where he tr...
In adapting his own novelThe Cider House Rulesfor the screen, John Irving sacrificed at ... more
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 vagu...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Honored with two Academy Awards - Best Supporting Actor for Michael Caine and Best Adapted ... more
Screenplay for John Irving - The Cider House Rules tells a compelling and heartwarming story about how far a young man must travel to find the place where he tru...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![The Cider House Rules [DVD] [2000]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78537047.jpg "The Cider House Rules [DVD] [2000]")
Mar 21st, 2001
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