Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) has spent all of his formative years as an orphan at the St. Clouds Orphanage in Maine. Over the years, and a couple of failed adoptions, he has become like a son to the orphanage's director, Dr. Larch (Michael Caine). Larch has educated him in many medical practices which include child birth and abortion, in the hope that one day he would take over the reins of the orphanage. Unfortunately, Homer feels that he needs to experience the world outside of the orphanage, so that he can find his own destiny, as he struggles with the moral issues of the illegal but safe abortions that Dr. Larch conducts. Whilst away from the orphanage, Homer gets work as an apple picker, where he falls in love with the beautiful Candy, the daughter in law to be of the orchard owner. He also makes friends with the other traveling fruit pickers. His new life and experiences, teaches him some valuable lessons about the work and to where his true destiny lies.
This is a very pleasant film, which is full of sentiment and beautiful scenes, but is not over sickly sweet. From what I have read, this is an adaptation of the novel by John Irving, and like so many other adaptations of books, it doesn't achieve the excellence
of the book, but to be honest how many adaptations manage to compete with the written prose. The film focuses on the character of Homer Wells as he battles with his own morals, and what his calling in life is, while he discovers the world outside of the sheltered orphanage. The film is very easy to watch as it flows along at an enjoyable pace with the right amount of detail so that you can get an understanding of the main characters. Part of its appeal is that although it deals with some touch moral issues, it doesn't really force its opinion on you.
In the lead role of Homer Wells is Tobey Maguire (Spiderman) whose performance creates a character of a pleasant young man who is a little bit naïve to the way of the world. There's not a bad word I can say about Maguire's performance as he demonstrates the angst that Homer goes through as he questions his morals. Dr. Larch, the director of the orphanage, is played by Michael Caine (Batman Begins). Although his accent is some what dubious, it does not detract from a very good performance as he becomes a father figure to Homer. In the role of Homer's girlfriend/lover is Charlize Theron (The Italian Job) who not only provides some feminine beauty to the production but also plays the woman torn between two lovers very convincingly. In supporting roles you have the likes of Delroy Lindo (Malcolm X), Paul Rudd (Friends) and Kieran Culkin (Father of the Bride - and another member of that annoying family).
The film is directed by Lasse Hallström who has more recently directed Casanova. I feel that Hallström has delivered a well balanced film which at times could have floated off and become sickly sweet behind rose tinted glasses, but instead he has stayed focused on telling the story. It is no surprise that with film being set in Maine, we are treated to some beautiful back drops which match the beauty of the story. The sound track is also very good as it complements the mood of each scene.
= The Cast =======Tobey Maguire .... Homer Wells Charlize Theron .... Candy Kendall Michael Caine .... Dr. Wilbur Larch Delroy Lindo .... Mr. Rose Paul Rudd .... Wally Worthington Jane Alexander .... Nurse Edna Kathy Baker .... Nurse Angela Erykah Badu .... Rose Rose Kieran Culkin .... Buster
*****************************======================= The Message & Christian View Point =============================
One of the many messages which are shown in The Cider House Rules is the one about parents being able to let go of their children. Although Dr. Larch was not Homer's real father, he cared for him as such, protecting him from the world. Even after Homer left the orphanage, Larch was still trying to bring him back so that he could protect him. But as Homer learnt, and it is not an easy thing for parents to do, but you need to be allowed to go and experience life for yourself and learn from your mistakes. From my experience, going out and experiencing life for yourself, makes you appreciate you home and your parents so much more.
The Cider House Rules is a very pleasant drama, which although it deals with some sensitive moral issues it does do it in an inoffending manner. Yes the film is very sentimental, but that is part of its appeal, and it is not overly sickly sweet. Whether or not it is a disappointing adaptation of the novel is something that I can't comment on, but as a film in its own rights is very good. Fans of dramas such as Fried Green Tomatoes will find this appealing. The Cider House Rules is available for £5.97 on Amazon which is a reasonable price to pay.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1999 - Drama, Thriller - Director: M. Night Shyamalan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Olivia Williams, Glenn Fitzgerald, Mischa Barton, Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
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
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: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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]")
Feb 22nd, 2006
exceptional by (2%):
very helpful by (98%):
