Almost as good as the book
 Aug 21st, 2002
Advantages:
True to the book, excellent cast, beautiful settings
Disadvantages:
Problematic topic, sometimes confusing (just like an Irving story)
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Did you enjoy it?
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Characters / Performances
Special Effects
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  TheChocolateLady
About me:
שלום! Sorry, but I no longer have time to read or write for this site. I wo...
Member since:21.06.2000
Reviews:218
Members who trust:242
Review rated by 33 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
There are extremely few movies adapted from a best selling novels that have 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 their love affair with this author's work with his famous "World According to Garp", but not me. My first encounter with Irving was "Hotel New Hampshire", and I've been hooked ever since. Cider House Rules was actually only the second book of Irving's I read.
One of the most important things to remember about Irving is his love of the absurd. He has an ability to look at a situation and find, not only what we can all find in common with it, but also what makes it strange and unusual. And it is in this, that Irving finds the real beauty and truths in life. Cider House Rules looks first into the truths of life as Irving sees it, and tries to find a way
to make those truths - which sometimes aren't very pretty - into something of beauty. His option of choice is to surprise us with something unexpected and often, unusual. If Irving hadn't been the one to write the screenplay, I'm sure that this film would have fallen flat on its face. This isn't to say that his hand in the other films of his novels have always been successful. But here, I believe, the essence of the story and the message from the book are perfectly portrayed, without giving up anything.
This is especially difficult when the theme of a book is such a hot one - abortion. In the book (something which is never uttered on screen) Irving makes his opinion very clear: "a government that outlaws abortion is legalizing murder". Knowing how difficult this might be for the public to swallow, Irving concentrated the movie on one particular young man, who is searching for who he is and his niche in life, while leaving the abortion issue as minor as possible - at least for the viewer who hasn't read the book, it will seem so. The character of Homer Wells is lovingly portrayed by Tobey Maguire. Some would say his performance was stiff, but the character of Homer Wells is like that - not fully emotionally developed, and searching to fill out his emotional experiences, he leaves his orphanage home (how many fully emotionally developed people do you know who have lived their whole lives in orphanages?).
And the part of Dr. Larch, played by Michael Caine - who won an Oscar for the role - was absolutely perfect (with the exception of a slightly imperfect New England accent, which was at least consistant). But what is most important, is that the story of the movie and the story of the book are almost exactly the same. One of the things that struck me about the acting in this film was how honest it all seemed. I could really believe that these were real people leading real lives and making real decisions. Some of this can be attributed to the excellent script, and some to the excellent direction - but most of it must be attributed to what must have been a real team effort by the actors. This is one of those rare occaisions where one can look at a movie and say "here's a set of equally matched actors all doing their best jobs".
From those films that I've seen by director Lasse Hallstrom, it seems he likes using interesting lighting to set the mood. This is no exception, and as situations seem less hopeful, the film seems to turn grey - when things are looking better, there seems to be a more rosy tint to the film. This isn't something noticable on the first watching of this film, but rather after you've seen it a couple of times and have been able to pull yourself back and look out for such things. However, Hallstrom likes to keep the action at a slow pace, and there were a few parts in this movie that seemed to drag. This was unfortunate, and for me, lost this movie one of its stars in my rating (well, that and Caine's accent).
I don't think there is much in the way of special effects in this film, but then again, they may be so perfect as to make the viewer totally unaware of them. I also have little to say about the soundtrack, since that too is something that is used for mood and effect more than to be noticed. I think that this is exactly what this type of film needs - a soundtrack that is used effectively as a tool to assist the viewers rather than something that they can later put on a CD and sell to make money off of.
In sum, I don't think that someone who loved the book will be disappointed by the movie. I also recommend that if you've seen the movie, but still haven't read the book - you should do so. I really believe it won't spoil either for you. Warning: If you're unfamiliar with John Irving's written work and if you found the movie a bit confusing, fear not - reading Irving's books you will discover that his novels can be just as confusing. But isn't that just like real life? Confusing, but interesting!
This is a review of the film only, as per the criteria below.
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![The Cider House Rules [DVD] [2000]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78537047.jpg)
13.02.2004 19:10
Never read the book, but loved the film. I'm off work ill at the mo, so perhaps look for it in the library.
30.08.2002 09:56
have read the book but havent watched the movie, I must check it out .. You are right, seldom you get movies which are as well made as the story written in the novels. Happiness always, Pallavi
26.08.2002 18:09
I loved the book (probably one of my all time favourites) but I was terribly disappointed by the film. I thought it made way too many departures from the original story- ok, it's a long book, spanning several decades - but I think the screenplay could habve found a way to remain truer to the original story. I thought the acting was good but I didn't sense any convincing chemistry between Tobey Maguire and Charlize Theron (whose feelings for each other and agony over the decisions they must make was so central to the novel). Good opinion, though. -- Nicole