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SHOPPING > DVDs > Drama > The Cider House Rules (DVD) > Reviews

The Cider House Rules (DVD)

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The Cider House Rules (DVD)

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A genuinely nice film

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5 Apr 12th, 2003 

18 Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful

Advantages:
Lovely story and great acting

Disadvantages:
a bit slow for some maybe

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Did you enjoy it?

Story

Characters / Performances

Special Effects

How does it compare to similar films?

lostprophet

lostprophet

About me:

Not really finding much time for Ciao at the moment. Will try and pop in whenever I can!

Member since:04.04.2003

Reviews:21

Members who trust:10

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 unwanted pregnancies. However, he never intends to be a father to any of these children, only care for them. That, is until he takes a special interset in the upbringing of one Homer Wells (Toby Maguire).

As a baby, Homer managed to be returned by two famalies (one because he wouldn't cry, and the other because they beat him), and in the end it was left up to St.Cloud's to provide a home and some form of education for him. It is from here that we follow Homer's apprenticeship under Dr. Larch, to his adult life, where his ambition to see more of the world leads him to leave St.Cloud's to become a labourer in a Cider factory.

This is a lovely story based around principles, and the eventual need to question ones principles and morals for the sake of another.
The nightly betime farewell of Dr. Larch ("Goodnight you Princes of Maine, you Kings of New England."), provides a subtle reccuring theme throughout the story and povides a means of empathising with both Larch, Wells, and the children of the orphanage.

The acting and casting are both superb. Caine is wonderful as the caring, ether-addicted Larch (he won a best-supporting actor oscar for his role), and Maguire is very believable as the deep Homer Wells.

All in all a lovely film that is topped-off by a very moving soundtrack composed by Rachel Portman. I don't know how it compares to the book or how well it follows the story, but as an individual work it is great. I whole-heartedly recommend it.

The film is available on DVD for about £17.99 available from MVC, HMV, and amazon.

Cast:

Miachael Caine
Toby Maguire
Charlize Theron
Delroy Lindo
Paul Rudd

Director: Lasse Hallstrom

Classification: 12

 

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Comments about this review »

Borg 12.04.2003 21:35

Yes, it is a great film alright!

Reynarda 12.04.2003 20:17

we watched this whilst on holiday in Ireland! I thought michael did a grand job of the American accent, too. Cheers, Jo

a-true-ben 12.04.2003 18:57

Good opinion, and I almost rated very helpful; but I think you got the balance slightly wrong. My advice is go for a bit less plot and bit more comment on acting etc (who was particularly good? how was the plot/script/direction/etc?)

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The Cider House Rules (DVD) - review by Staggly

Advantages: Good drama
Disadvantages: Bit predictable

The Cider House Rules (DVD) - review by Staggly Staggly 30.03.2001 · Read review
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Advantages: Wonderful, heart-warming drama.
Disadvantages: None whatsoever.

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The Cider House Rules (DVD) - review by dannit

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

The Cider House Rules (DVD) - review by dannit dannit 16.10.2005 (16.10.2005) · Read review
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The Cider House Rules (DVD) - review by christianfilmcritic

Advantages: Michael Caine, Tobey Maguire
Disadvantages: None

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The Cider House Rules (DVD) - review by sunmeilan

Advantages: Understated acting by Maguire and Caine
Disadvantages: None

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